By Jim Terwoord
Full Throttle Entertainment and Hooters have mixed up another tasty pitcher of Mixed Martial Arts action for Wild Bill’s Fight Night on Friday, January 25th. Dany Lauzon, a young up and comer from the UFC, will be featured in the co-main event against MMA veteran Rick Reeves. The other main event features a rematch from the last Wild Bill’s brawl, with Rhomez Brower squaring off against Tom Nguyen. Philip Botha also defends his NFC title on the under card.
The nineteen year old Lauzon brings a 7-2-0 record into the ring against Reeves, his only losses being to Spencer Fisher and Deividas Taurosevicius, both veteran “mmartists.” GeorgiaMMA.com caught up with Dany this week as he was making final preparations for his upcoming bout.
GAMMA: Dany congratulations on your last fight, a TKO victory over David George at Combat Zone 24. How are preparations coming for your fight against Rick Reeves at Wild Bill’s?
Dany: Fine. I’ve been training very hard trying to improve all areas of my game, especially striking skills and overall cardio endurance.
GAMMA: Where are you currently training and who are you working with?
Dany: I’m currently living and training about 45 miles south of Boston. I train with Team Aggression and at Bishops Boxing & Fitness. My coaches are Joe Pomfret, Steve Maze and Eddie and Joe Bishop.
GAMMA: Are you training full time? How many hours a week do you devote to training?
Dany: Yes – I train full time exclusively. In my opinion, you need to do it if you want to make your living fighting. I currently spend around 30 hours per week training. A typical day will often start with sparring with my brother and cardio for a couple hours in the morning, followed by another workout at Team Aggression in the afternoon. Occasionally I’ll have an evening workout like tonight. A lot depends on who’s around to work with.
GAMMA: Who are your current training partners?
Dany: I’m training with Josh Grispi who is in the WEC event on February 13th. I also work with Joe Cushman, a 145 pounder, and box with Joe Bishop.
GAMMA: What are you working on now – any special emphasis? What’s your biggest challenge?
Dany: I’d say my biggest challenge is putting all the pieces together to try and become a complete fighter. The Spencer Fisher fight taught me that I needed to improve my cardio and standup skills. I’m happy that both my standup and wrestling skills have improved and I’ve made great strides in my cardio. My new cardio coach has helped me a lot in that area – I’m training with kettle bells and a lot of other new techniques.
GAMMA: Any weight lifting – bench presses, dead lifts, squats?
Dany: No – I don’t use traditional weights in my training.
GAMMA: What do you know about your Wild Bill’s opponent?
Dany: Well, I saw him fight in 2006. We were on the same card at a Rage in the Cage event. He won that fight with a quick guillotine choke. He’s won several fights by submissions and appears to have a solid ground game.
GAMMA: How did you get hooked up for the Wild Bill’s event?
Dany: To be honest, I’m not sure, but I believe it was through my manager, Joey Cav. I believe he knows the promoter.
GAMMA: I couldn’t help but notice that you are fighting at a WCF event in Wilmington on February 8th, two weeks after Wild Bill’s Fight Night. Is that correct?
Dany: Yup. And I’m fighting on March 15th in Wilmington too!
GAMMA: Why do you want another fight only two weeks after your first fight of the year - and three fights in less than 60 days? What if you get cut or something?
Dany: Well, when I get in shape, I like to fight as often as possible. I’m young and it’s all about getting experience. And most fighters don’t think too much about getting hurt. You take your chances and deal with it if it happens.
GAMMA: What do you know about your February 8th opponent, Andrew Calandrelli, from Team Renzo Gracie?
Dany: Well – there’s some bad blood there. The guy didn’t like it when I got the Spencer Fischer fight and trashed me online. I know he’s got a Brown Belt in jujitsu and has a strong ground and grappling game. We’ll see.
GAMMA: With three fights in the first quarter, how many times do you plan to fight this year?
Dany: I’d like to fight ten times maybe. I need to get experience and fighting is the only way to do it.
GAMMA: What’s your career game plan? You missed out on TUF because you were too young. Do you want another shot at the “house?”
Dany: I’ve talked to a lot of guys, like my brother, who lived in the house. I’m not sure I want to do it because I’m not convinced it’s the best way for me to progress. I do want to get back to the UFC as soon as possible – hopefully by the end of 2008. That’s why I want to fight as much as possible.
GAMMA: Are you under contract with anyone right now?
Dany: No.
GAMMA: You’re a young guy – the youngest ever to fight in the UFC. What do your parents think about their nineteen year old son in this tough occupation?
Dany: I think they’ve gotten used to it and are both supportive. My Dad comes to all my fights and helps me breakdown fight videos. My Mom was worried when my brother and I both started fighting, but I think she’s gotten better about it as time goes on. I think they both wish I had another job besides fighting.
GAMMA: What can we tell the Wild Bill’s Fight Night Fans to expect from Dany Lauzon on January 25th?
Dany: First, tell them thanks for coming. Tell them I’ll be ready and they can expect a good fight.
GAMMA: Will they see that back flip off the top rope?
Dany: Absolutely! Be there!
Wild Bill’s is located at 2075 Market Street in Duluth, GA 30096. Tickets are available thru Ticketmaster or the Wild Bill’s Fight Line at 404-626-2126. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the fights begin at 8:30. For more information see www.wildbillsatlanta.com.
Jim Terwoord – for GeorgiaMMA.com |
