Che Mills, former Cage Rage British welterweight champion and short-lived contestant on TUF 9, enters the UFC having accrued an impressive 13-4 professional MMA record, holding 2 notable knockout victories over DREAM Welterweight Champion Marius Zaromskis. He makes his promotional debut at UFC 138 in Birmingham, England, featuring on the undercard against scrappy TUF 13 semi-finalist Chris Cope, affectionately known as “The Woo Man” to anyone except his fellow contestants on the popular reality TV show. I recently took the opportunity to catch up with Che ahead of the biggest fight of his life.
JS: Hi Che, cheers for taking the time to talk today. First of all, your nickname “The Urban Monkey”. When I interviewed Joey Villasenor prior to your arranged bout at BAMMA 7, I remember he found it funny that he spars with Tom “Kong” Watson, and now he’d be fighting “The Urban Monkey”. Is it self-entitled or awarded? Can you briefly elaborate on its significance?
Haha, I don’t know about that one. I don’t know where that nickname came from, it’s a myth. It cropped up online somewhere, and some people have mentioned it, but I’m not a fan of it. I have sort of acquired a nickname, even though it wasn’t my choice. Chico Mendes, my BJJ coach, started calling me “Beautiful”, in a p*ss-taking ironic way, and it has stuck. Everyone in the gym now calls me it, whilst laughing simultaneously.
JS: Haha, ok, so will Bruce Buffer be announcing you as Che “Beautiful” Mills?
CM: Haha, I don’t know yet. A couple of my trainers might have slyly arranged this behind my back.
JS: Since it was publicised that you’re going to be fighting in the UFC, have you refrained from participating in the open training sessions at your gym, which include novice fighters? To me, the notion that I could train with a UFC fighter, at the precipice of his profession, seems preposterous. Are you not concerned about the increased risk of injury presented by these sessions?
CM: Funnily enough, I was recently discussing this issue with some guys at the gym. Counter-intuitively, it’s actually easier to spar with advanced-level fighters, because they’re technical, as opposed to a beginner who is more liable to catch you with something, because they can be wild and unpredictable, and trying to take your head off. So they can catch you off-guard. It’s often not their fault, because they don’t know any different. And conversely the pros will take it easy on the beginners. I still participate in the sessions, but if a beginner is getting carried away, I’ll just ask them to calm down, rather than get involved in a war. I’ll coach them through it, because aside from the odd one or two, they invariably aren’t aware of the etiquette. I still try to join in because they’re all different and valuable experiences.
JS: Most people within the MMA community presume that when the UFC come calling, you automatically jump at the opportunity because it’s “The Big Time”. However, recently, it was well-documented that fellow British prospect Jimi Manuwa declined an offer to fight for the UFC, citing inexperience as the key determinant behind the decision? What are your thoughts on this? In your case, was it a no-brainer?
CM: For me, definitely, I couldn’t refuse. When my coach rang me with the initial offer, he realised it was a rhetorical question. But, on the other hand, I understand Jimi’s rationale. Jimi has had ten professional bouts, whereas I’ve competed in 17. I thought I was ready for the UFC a couple of years ago, but in retrospect, I wasn’t sufficiently prepared. My skill-set is much developed and diverse now, and I’ve had more cage-time, which is indispensable. You can train forever, but nothing compares to actually fighting.
JS: Does a call from the UFC constitute the culmination of a decade’s worth of commitment and perseverance?
CM: Yes, in a way. The UFC is obviously the top MMA organisation, and where I’ve always wanted to be. A large number of MMA fans are only familiar with the UFC. To them, it’s synonymous. I often get asked, ‘you do that UFC don’t you?’
JS: Haha. Is it testament to the calibre of BAMMA’s roster that your scheduled fight with Joey Villasenor at BAMMA 7 was arguably more difficult on paper than the challenge that lies ahead at 138?
CM: Yes, definitely. If it wasn’t for the UFC offer, I would have still fought for BAMMA. The fight against Joey would have proven massive for my career, testing myself against a talented veteran. BAMMA is certainly heading in the right direction.
JS: Chris Cope, your opponent, has 6 professional bouts on his MMA record. Are you content to be fighting a relatively inexperienced MMA fighter for your inaugural UFC bout?
CM: I don’t think it really matters. He’s evidently good enough to be there irrespective of experience. I have to take every fight seriously, as it’s my job on the line. I don’t even look at his experience levels.
JS: You’re a self-proclaimed “gentleman” in the game, so I don’t expect to elicit any trash-talk today. But I must probe a little about Chris or the “Woo Man” as he has become affectionately known, due to his conspicuous personal psyching-up mechanism. Will the “Woo” annoy you at all? Could it potentially put you off your game?
CM: Haha no, I don’t think it’ll annoy me or put me off my game. It’s only shouting. He can shout as much as he likes. I could see his fellow contestants on The Ultimate Fighter found his constant wooing to be annoying, but to me, as a spectator from afar, it was admittedly pretty amusing. If he starts to do the “Woo” when he fights me, I’ll probably find it pretty funny actually. For me personally, I don’t hit myself or shout to pump myself up. I’m chilled out pre-fight.
JS: Ok, well I think Cope’s “Woos” be drowned out by the Birmingham “Boos” Onto the fight itself, and you are both predominantly recognised for your stand-up. Will this likely culminate in a battle on the feet? Or given that your record indicates that you’re more well-rounded (boasting 4 submission victories), could we see a role-reversal with a Brit aiming to get an American to the mat?
CM: No, definitely not. Obviously, I hold those submissions victories, and I think I’m quite awkward on the ground. I’m not the best grappler or wrestler individually, but I mix them up well. But yes, I’m predominantly a striker and I never enter a fight with the intention of taking it to the mat. However, if an opportunity presents itself for a takedown or submission, of course I’ll take it. It’s instinctive really. I have utilised my wrestling and BJJ instinctively in previous fights.
JS: Cope has been TKO’d twice already during his short career, whilst you are yet to be finished via TKO. Do you attribute this to possessing a more solid chin or a more elusive style?
CM: I’d say chin probably, given the amount of times I’ve been hit in fights. In the past, I’ve become embroiled in battles and thereby completely abandoning the game plan. In training, you work on slipping, head movement, foot movement, and then the fight arrives and I just want to get stuck in. I can take a decent punch. And it gives me a bit of confidence to see that he has been KO’d. I was the first person to knock out Marius Zaromskis. But there are so many factors that come into play.
JS: What did you make of Cope’s performances on TUF?
CM: I think it’s difficult to gauge a fighter’s skills solely by performances on the actual show, because the surroundings and coaches are foreign, the situation is intense. So you can’t really take it as gospel. But I watched his fight against Chuck O’Neil at the finale. He didn’t look too bad. He looked impressive with his combinations, but he seemed to lack power. No disrespect to his opponent on the night, but I don’t think Chuck really pressured him. So, it’s difficult to tell how good Chris Cope really is. He was allowed to fight his fight. I won’t make it quite as comfortable for him.
JS: And you yourself made a short-lived appearance on The Ultimate Fighter 9, losing an elimination match to subsequent winner of the competition, James Wilks. Did you always have faith that you would make it back into the UFC somehow?
CM: To be honest, I always hoped, but I never thought it was realistic. I hardly had a chance to showcase my skills on TUF 9, so I didn’t think the UFC would give me a second chance. So I decided that I was going to concentrate on making a living from other promotions.
JS: Whilst training as a full-time professional MMA fighter, Cope also apparently works at a San Diego law firm. Is there a chance that following this fight Cope will be filing a case of Grievous Bodily Harm against you?
CM: Haha, erm. Well, if he did, I think he’d have good ground to.
JS: Haha, where would a win against Cope rank in your all-time greatest victories? Would it surpass the two against Zaromskis?
CM: I think so, yes. Just the fact that it’s the big debut, and I’ll be bringing a lot of support, since Birmingham is very close by. This is the hardest I’ve ever trained for a fight so it would mean the most to me. Zaromskis was a big scalp for me, but the UFC stage is enormous. There’s a lot more pressure, but that’ll make the success even sweeter.
JS: Should you win, who particularly interests you in the UFC welterweight division?
CM: Whatever’s next is next as far as I’m concerned. I’ll leave it to the UFC to decide. I’ve never been one to call people out, nor have I ever turned down a fight offered to me. Ideally, if I string a few consecutive wins together I’d love to compete against the elite fighters in the UFC welterweight division.
JS: Ok Che, well thanks for your time. It’s been a pleasure, and best of luck for the fight.
CM: Cheers Jonny
Follow Che on Twitter @CheMillsMMA
Follow me on Twitter @jonathanshrager
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