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TYSON
GRIFFIN “I Like to Train, and I Like to Train Hard”
©
Marc Wickert All
photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC It’s
Halloween in Las Vegas, the city Tyson calls home after moving from
Santa Rosa, California over a year ago. And although it’s 12 noon at
the time of this interview, Tyson has just finished breakfast and is
considering what he might do to celebrate this trick-or-treating night.
But despite carving up many an opponent in the ring, it’s unlikely he
will be carving any jack-o-lanterns. “I’ll probably just dress up
and go out to one of the clubs here,” says Griffin. However,
before Tyson can focus too much on festivities, he will be taking care
of business at the city’s Xtreme Couture gym at 4 o’clock this
afternoon, to prepare himself for whatever the MMA calendar holds in
store for him in the New Year. Born
in Sacramento, California on April 20, 1984, Tyson’s first fighting
style was wrestling. “I’ve been into sports all my life, so I
started wrestling in high school.” After leaving school to take up
employment in construction, Tyson recommenced his wrestling at David
Terrell’s NorCal Fighting Alliance Gym, then he added jiu jitsu skills
whilst training at Caesar Gracie’s Academy. A
bit later came Tyson’s striking skills. “I was boxing at a gym in
Santa Rosa with Rosendo Sanchez. Rosendo still comes out to assist me
since I’ve moved to Las Vegas, but I work with Ron Frazier as well,
and Sean Tompkins…” For
a man who can come across as such a fierce beast in the Octagon, it’s
surprising how articulate and casual Griffin is to talk with. This same
man, who can instill such incredible fear in his opponents, lists at his
Myspace site his interests to include cooking, drawing, dogs and
the outdoors. Tyson,
you appear to be a very aggro and full-on fighter in the ring. “I’m
actually a very relaxed and laid-back person, but I like training hard
when getting ready for competition – that’s why I fight at such a
pace. But I like to train, and I like to train hard.” Ring physician Dr Gary Furness asked, “If Joe Stevenson were to win the UFC Lightweight Title, would you accept a match with him, because you and Joe are pretty good buddies?” “If it were for a title, I’d have to. Joe and I have already talked about that, and the only way we’d fight is if it were for a title.”
Tyson Griffin delivering an overhand right. You
instruct in Muay Thai at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas; can
anyone attend your Muay Thai classes at Xtreme Couture, or is it just
for elite fighters? “No,
it’s an open public class for everybody.” Could
you tell us about when you had your first MMA bout against Ryan Frost
where he tried to intimidate you by looking mean, please, Tyson? “Yeah,
he was doing the whole stare-down thing before the fight… the whole
mean thing… I just laughed at him and his facial expression kinda
changed. He was trying to look tough, and when I laughed at him his
whole face went flat.” You
pulled the carpet from under him. “Exactly:
I called his bluff.” Was
your fight at UFC 76 against Thiago Tavares very satisfying for you? “It
was satisfying because I got the win, but I was really hoping to finish
him. I’ve had my last few fights go the distance and I want to get
back to my finishing ways, and hopefully in my next fight I’ll do
that. But it was definitely very satisfying to get the win.” Thiago
went in with a career of 16 – 0. Did that record worry you prior to
the match? “Not
at all. Everyone loses in this sport and it’s just a matter of time
before you do…” And
it’s just fortunate his first loss came against you? “Yeah,
I guess so.” Is
your jab one of your best weapons? “I
would say my right hand is probably my better weapon, but I use my jab a
lot to keep the distance.” Thiago
lined you up for a number of submissions, including taking your back in
a standing body triangle, but you stayed cool under pressure. Is that
coolness an attribute that helps you to win bouts? “Yes, I think that is one of the main factors when it comes to competition because the more relaxed you are, the less you use oxygen and burn muscle, so getting into great shape is one thing, but going out there and being relaxed helps you to have better wind. And like you said, so does staying cool in those dangerous positions.”
Tyson Griffin with Thiago Tavares on his back. What’s
it like having Randy Couture and Jay Hieron in your corner? “Oh,
it’s great, man. Guys that you work with every day… It’s great to
have them coaching you and helping you out… and their level of
experience, it’s pretty much unheard of.” Do
you know whom you’ll be fighting next? “No,
I don’t. I think I’m going to be fighting early next year, but I
don’t have a date or an opponent yet. I’m getting a little break at
the moment.” Would
you like a rematch with Frank Edgar? “Yeah,
I’d love to get that loss back, but even if you win a rematch, you
know he still beat you once. But he didn’t knock me out or submit me,
so it wasn’t a very heartbreaking loss.” Are
you expecting a title shot in the near future? “If
one comes, that would be awesome, but right now I’m looking to get
better myself and improve my skills. I think I have a lot to learn and a
lot of experience to gain before I can become champ.” Tyson,
is there anything you’d like to add? “Just
to thank all the fans and sponsors who have helped me out, and I hope I
have an entertaining fight next time.” Your
sponsors? “Xtreme Couture, Xtreme Nutrition, Affliction, Desert Volkswagen, Unbreakable Professional Mouthpieces, Fizogen, and Sports Combat International.”
Tyson
Griffin g'n'p-ing Thiago Tavares. For
more on Tyson Griffin: For
more on Xtremecouture: www.xtremecouture.tv. For
more on UFC: www.ufc.tv.
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