MMA Universe was granted an exclusive Interview with Jess Liaudin after his impressive debut in the UFC Octagon submitting tough German fighter Dennis Siver at UFC 70.
Hi Jess, first of all congratulation on your submission victory at UFC 70.
Thank you
Who contacted you about competing in the UFC? Did you or did the UFC approach you?
My manager contacted them before to try and get me to participate in T.U.F (The Ultimate Fighter) so he was in touch with them for awhile now. So even though I was not in T.U.F Joe Silve kept a keen eye on me and saw what I could do when I was on three wins in a row which where big wins so they gave me a shot!
Let’s talk about your fight. How hard did you train for Dennis Siver?
That fight was the hardest I’ve ever trained for. Luckily for me I had all my team who really where really committed themselves to help me. When I was training with some other guys where training the other classes. So even though I was training very hard it was all down to my team being available for me to push it to the limit. That is the major thing is that I would love to thank my team. Without them I would not have won the fight.
Where you nervous going into the fight because this was the UFC you where competing in?
Yeah I mean I was more nervous about the UFC then I was of my opponent Dennis Siver. I was very confident that I would beat him cos of the training I went through. I have a lot of respect for him as he is a well rounded fighter. But after seeing his previous fights I knew I would catch him in a sub. So I was more worried about the whole experience of fighting in the UFC and becoming too nervous. However, when I got to the arena straight away I felt at home and comfortable. And from there on I knew it would be fine and expected a great fight.
How did it feel to have around fifteen thousand fans cheering you on compared to the crowds at Cage Rage?
Obviously I could hear fifteen thousand people and yeah the energy and love from the crowd does make a difference. But once you’re in the cage you don’t really think of it that much.
You made short work of Dennis Siver. Did you expect to get the submission so quickly into the bout?
Well actually I was going for the arm for a set up so he would pull out and I would stand back up. So I was expecting him to pull out when I had his arm. But he didn’t pull out so I ended up applying the armbar for the win.
Who won the TAPOUT award that evening?
Terry Etim did which I’m really pissed off about but even so I’m pissed that I didn’t get the sub of the night, Terry’s a good kid and I am glad for him.
Do you have any last words for MMA UNIVERSE readers?
I would like to thank all the UK fans out there who have supported me from day one. Cos I remember when not to long ago I was on a losing bad and a lot of people still believed in me and said “You know what Jess is a killer and a great fighter.” Also Harry, Dean and Ash without them men I would never have won my fight. And my sponsors Inspirit Europe, Fighters Only and Sports-Select.co.uk
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