Next MMA Fighter

Next MMA Fighter: When did you get the call from Strikeforce to fight Jason “Mayhem” Miller?
Tim Stout: I got the call right at 2 weeks out and agreed immediately, obviously it’s a really big fight for me.

Next MMA Fighter: How do you feel about fighting on CBS?
Tim Stout: I’m really looking forward to it. It gives my family, friends, and fans an opportunity to see me fight when they may not have been able to in the past.

Next MMA Fighter: How do you want to fight him? What’s the gameplan?
Tim Stout: My gameplan is no secret. I’m gonna try to keep it standing and knock him out. I train with Mark Cook for my kickboxing and Roberto Traven on the ground, I’m prepared for anything he brings.

Next MMA Fighter: There’s no shortage of tape for this guy, you do your homework?
Tim Stout: I’m a big fan, actually. I enjoy the show and the shenanigans. In a lot of ways he’s my exact opposite, so I just like to watch it.

Next MMA Fighter: No plans to rival his walk-in?
Tim Stout: (laughs) No, I’m just gonna walk in there and want to get to work. I’ll leave the show for the showman.

Next MMA Fighter: Is Strikeforce a promotion you see yourself in for the long term or is UFC a goal, perhaps?
Tim Stout: I’ll fight anywhere that will have me and treat me the best. Fighting on National TV is the big game, so it’s just about where I can be happiest.

Next MMA Fighter: The Hendo Shields fight is coming up. Any predictions?
Tim Stout: I love Dan Henderson, he’s a good ol’ boy just like me and he comes to fight. Jake won’t likely be able to take him down and it’ll turn into a boxing match. Jake will run into Dan’s right hand eventually.

Next MMA Fighter: UFC 112 is just about underway, any comments or predictions about those fights?
Tim Stout: I’d like to see Maia win, I think it would be interesting for the division. BJ Penn is great and I don’t really see him losing, and I have a lot of respect for Renzo, I’d like him to come away with a win there.

Next MMA Fighter: We’re not too far from the fight now, how’s your weight?
Tim Stout: I’m going up a weight class so I feel really good, I’ll put on some pounds and do a really small cut. I feel incredible and won’t have issues with cardio or hydration that would usually come with a big cut.

Next MMA Fighter: How do you feel about Georgia fighters compared to the rest of the scene? You’ve got a big fight coming up, Tex Johnson is gonna fight War Machine next weekend, Raphael Assuncao is fighting for the WEC…
Tim Stout: I don’t think Georgia fighters are necessarily better than anywhere else, there’s a big mix of talent in the state. Although there are guys like Tex, Assuncao, and Jucao that really shine.

Next MMA Fighter: Tell us about your nickname.
Tim Stout: My first couple of fights I finished by KOs all in the first couple seconds of the first round. I developed a reputation for being a tenacious and explosive fighter. People wanted me to be the “Pitbull” and other stuff but when it came down to it, I wanted to be original. MOAB stands for Massive Ordinance Air Blast, the most powerful non-nuclear bomb our military uses. I picked it because it was original and I throw bombs in all of my fights.

Next MMA Fighter: Thanks for speaking with us, Tim. Anyone you want to thank?
Tim Stout: I would like to thank all my sponsors Hitman Fight Gear, Full Tilt Poker.net and Fighter Warehouse. I also want to thank Nutraplanet.com and Ink Revolutions who have supported me since I started fighting.

Lastly I would like to thank Sponsored Fan for all the work they do for me. These guys never stop working for me and it shows, just look at all my new sponsors!

Previously featured fighter Tim Stout will be squaring off with Jason Miller in a preliminary bout of the Strikeforce CBS show on April 17th. Many are counting Tim out in this fight, but having seen him fight live he definitely has a shot against Mayhem.

Tim Stout will be coming off a dominating decision win in Atlanta at Bangkok Fight Night V against WEC veteran Phillp Wyman. Jason Miller came up short in his last bout against Jake Shields, but fought a good fight and came very close to finishing Shields in the fight.

Its going to be a great fight and we are all hoping it makes it on the televised portion of the card.

For more on Tim, check out his interview :Tim Stout Interview

Post Fight Video Interview | Tim Stout | M.O.A.B Fighting Concepts | Newnan, GA

Here’s our photos from Best of the Best 18 “The Real Deal” on Friday night, make sure you check out the captions so you know who the fighters are and click the slideshow to view the pictures individually.

Thanks again to Dana Pitcher Productions

MMA Live stacks the deck with recaps of UFC 105 and WEC 44, as well as a preview of UFC 106: Ortiz vs. Griffin II. Also, MMA legend Dan Henderson is in Bristol with an update on his fighting future.

Shamar Bailey

Photo Credit ©JasonWrightPhotography.com

Shamar Bailey is an up and coming fighter that hails from Indianapolis, IN. He spends his time as a firefighter when he is not training but his fighting career might take a turn towards the big time when he fights against TUF veteran John Kolosci on Saturday night. We got a chance to sit down with Shamar as he makes his final preparations for his fight on Strikeforce November 7th.

NextMMAFighter : Thanks for taking the time to talk to us Shamar, tell us how your training is coming along and what final preparations you are making for Saturday.

Shamar Bailey : Thanks for having me. My last minute preparations are going great. The hard part is over. Now I’m just waiting to get in the cage and get this party started we are just working on timing and technique etc….and of course keeping my weight where it needs to be this week.

NextMMAFighter : What do you know about your opponent John Kolosci? Did you watch him on The Ultimate Fighter and do you have any desire to ever be on the show?

Shamar Bailey : I know John is a tough minded guy. He likes to feel like he’s been in a battle. That’s what I learned by watching the TUF show that he was in. He seems like a cool guy & everything but that is irrelevant to Saturday. We can be friends after, but now its time to fight. In regards to TUF, yeah I’d love to be on the show someday but I may have accumulated too many fights now. The important thing is that right now my focus is on the opportunity God has blessed me with coming up on Saturday.

NextMMAFighter : In preparing for what will likely be the biggest fight of your career, do you feel it will be any different when you step into the cage on Saturday night?

Shamar Bailey : I’d like to say no; that its just another fight; and mentally that’s how you gotta approach it. But this fight is special to me because it’s an answer to my prayers and what a lot of my fans have been waiting for a very long time. Its time to cash in on what’s mine.

NextMMAFighter : Tell us what its like training in Indianapolis with Chris Lytle.

Shamar Bailey : Training with Chris Lytle is a privilege. He is such a nice guy and always willing to help or give advice if you want it. Whether you’re a new guy or a vet i’ts very easy to take him for granted. Chris is so humble and that’s human nature to take things for granted but I make sure I don’t. Plus, he’s my boy and we work together on the fire department so we share that brotherhood also.

NextMMAFighter : If anyone was to describe your fighting style, what would it be?

Shamar Bailey : If someone would describe my fighting style it would most likely be explosive and no let up. I will continue to grind you until you break or my hand is raised. I’ve been gaining a lot more experience, so I’m able to work my technique more effectively in every aspect of the game.

NextMMAFighter : Coming from a wrestling base as many fighters do, what do you think sets you apart from the rest?

Shamar Bailey : I think if there’s anything that sets me apart its the fact that I’ve only competed seriously in wrestling for 5 years & 4 of those years were in college I say that to imply that God has blessed me with a lot of athleticism to help with my learning curve. So along those lines, my style of wrestling was always exciting & explosive & as I got more experience I learned how to be highly efficient with the tools I possessed. And the same is applying to my fight game now, I’ve been in MMA for 3 years and things are lookin good!

NextMMAFighter : We saw that you fought on the M1-Affliction Challenge, what was it like traveling to Holland to fight?

Shamar Bailey : The trip to Holland was cool, I’d never been overseas and the country itself is beautiful. The people of Holland overall are very laid back and willing to help with anything. If we Americans had some of the same laws and privileges over here we might be the same way. Lol… Anyways, the fight itself was cool, M-1 puts on a great show and treats the fighters really well. Because it’s a tournament format it was really awesome to meet guys from other countries and get to know them a bit while cutting weight or trying to pass time @ the hotel. Of course as you know, the most satisfying part of the trip was getting my hand raised in the ring in Holland against Team Holland .

NextMMAFighter : What are your goals for your MMA Career going forward?

Shamar Bailey : My goals for MMA are to keep getting better because I don’t want to plateau. There is a lot of opportunity in this sport and winning is the key that opens the door! I feel that the welterweight division in Strikeforce is growing into an exciting one and I’m happy to be apart of that. I feel that a title bout is within close reach and that’s what I want along with being on the cover of a couple magazines. Lol. I mean; let’s not deny the truth……I look good. I think The ladies need to see me! They are being deprived until that happens .

NextMMAFighter : If you could pick one moment of your fighting career that meant the most to you, what would it be?

Shamar Bailey : The moment of my MMA career that meant the most to me would be when I signed my contract with Strikeforce. Its been a long time coming. My opponent has already had his chance with the UFC and this is my time because Nov 7th belongs to me. Nobody is gonna take this from me, Nobody.

NextMMAFighter : Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us at NextMMAFighter, We wish you the best of luck in your fight on Saturday. In closing is there anyone you would like to thank?

Shamar Bailey : Its my pleasure! I want to thank God for what he has done for me, my family, my friends and fans as well as my trainers and training partners. I also need to shout out to my manager, marketing guy and sponsors. This is a team effort to get to where we need to be and I will do my part on Nov 7th. Thank you for the opportunity and God Bless.

Best of luck Shamar, we look forward to seeing you fight on Nov 7th!

Tyron Woodley

Anyone who is an undefeated fighter from American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL, is going to obviously turn some heads. But if you’re Tyron Woodley, you’re going to have people paying attention to you for years to come.

I got the chance to check out Tyron’s fight this past Friday night on the main card of the Strikeforce Challengers event. This kid is for real, plain and simple; he’s a stud on the ground and has great striking.

He had no problem giving Sal Woods a real tough night, barely breaking a sweat, and boosted himself into the spotlight in a big way. Expect big things from this guy, and be on the lookout for him. Big future, this kid.

Your weekly installment of MMA Live, courtesy of the mothership.

Hoorays, I made weight.

I’m a huge fan of Esther Lin, she has definitely established herself as the authority on MMA pictures. Her pictures for every event are absolutely stellar and as photographer myself I have no idea how she does it.

You can find them here along with her play by play of her strikeforce weekend. Great stuff..

http://allelbows.com/?p=1475

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/STRIKEFORCE

Here is this weeks installment of ESPN MMA Live.