Staydown MMA XI: Matt Gray talks to AddictedMMA
We talk to Matt to find out what he remembers from that fight and what he expects from Sunday's scrap!
AddictedMMA: Hi Matt, it's good to catch up again. Firstly congratulations on your debut win in March; what do you remember about the fight?
Matt: Hi there Steve and thanks. To be honest I don't remember a lot, I can remember in the 1st round I went for a rear-naked choke once we hit the ground but with the heat, and being so hot and sweaty I couldn't get it to stick! From the 2nd round all I can remember is a whole lot of pain (laughing). And just knowing there was no way I could lose this fight in front of my home crowd and to stick in there and to turn it around.
AddictedMMA: Did you expect it to be so exhausting? By the end of it both you and Daniel looked spent! I bet those final few punches before the ref pulled you off felt like an eternity!
Matt: They sure did Steve. I lost all power by then and resorted to hammer fists. I trained so hard on my fitness for that fight; it just goes to show that you can never be too fit for this sport.
AddictedMMA: This weekend will see you step inside the cage again at Staydown MMA's sixth event in Liskeard. How has training at Combat gone in the build-up to Sunday's fight?
Matt: Its been going great, as you know Steve I train with a really strong and hardworking team who are always pushing us to learn better skills to become better fighters.
AddictedMMA: I sure do. Your opponent is a bit of an unknown quantity to me; what do you know about him? Will you have a specific gameplan in mind before you step into the cage on Sunday or are you going to get in there and roll with whatever happens?
Matt: Steve, I know nothing about this guy and to be honest I can't even pronounce his name (laughing) . You know me Steve, I am going to finish the fight the way I start it - with one punch (laughing), one day Steve I'll tell you this this and it will come true.
AddictedMMA: Do you have any little superstitions or routines that you have to go through pre-fight?
Matt: Nope not really, I just like to chill out, put my headphones on and get into the zone.
AddictedMMA: There are a lot of Combat Athletic Academy lads on this card.... Are you going to put your neck on the line and predict a clean sweep?
Matt: Definitely, as always. You know when Combat Athletics turn up to a show we come to take the trophies home. We don't go into any fight to lose.
AddictedMMA: Is there anyone you'd like to thank before we finish?
Matt: As always I like to thank my dad (Mark Tucker) all of the rest of the trainers at CAA such as Kieran Hambley, Bob Broadhurst, Allen Willows and all my fellow team members as without them I would be nothing. I would also like to say a big thank you to our newest member of our team Renee-Lea Thackham for all of her hard work she has put in with many aspects but especially with the promotions and photography side.
AddictedMMA: Thanks for your time today Matt and all the best for Sunday night.
Matt: Thanks for having me again Steve, always a pleasure and never a chore. I would just like to say to keep up the great work.
Sunday's Card & Ticket Info: http://www.addictedmma.com/story-Cards_7261_Staydown-Fighting-Championships-VI:-Sparta.php
Picture Courtesy of Renee-Lea Thackham (Combat Athletics Academy).
Published by Steve Wickett - Thu, 17 May 2012 23:18
