Interviews | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Troy Lavalley: Long-Time Martial Artist Preparing for Third Amateur MMA Match

For nearly two decades, Troy Lavalley has been involved in the world of martial arts.“I wrestled in high school,” Lavalley, who was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, said. “After high school, I started training in jiu-jitsu…I…

For nearly two decades, Troy Lavalley has been involved in the world of martial arts.

“I wrestled in high school,” Lavalley, who was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, said. “After high school, I started training in jiu-jitsu…I trained in jiu-jitsu for a couple years, and then I moved to the United States and I started kickboxing.”

“We’ve been watching the UFC since the beginning—UFC 2 is when we started watching. The sport was growing so much—all of my friends in the States and all of my buddies up here were doing it—and having my background in martial arts, it was pretty natural to make the crossover into MMA … It was really to test myself.”

Since making the transition to mixed martial arts, Lavalley has contested—and won—a pair of amateur matches and is currently scheduled to contest his third career mixed martial arts match against Cody Moliger on Saturday under the Saturday Night Fights banner in Regina.

According to Lavalley, 35, his long run in the world of martial arts is no coincidence.

“I always enjoyed team sports, but I always enjoyed individual sports a little more, because you’re not focused on the team,” Lavalley explained. “The only person that you’re going to let down is yourself if you don’t train and eat properly. I enjoy the camaraderie amongst the teammates, too.”

“Athletics have had a very positive influence in my life,” Lavalley said. “I think I could’ve went down a couple wrong paths if I hadn’t had it at certain points in my life, so it’s been pretty important…I’d like to think that I’d be in a good position (without martial arts in my life), but practicing martial arts keeps your head on straight, keeps you grounded and it stops you from making bad decisions in life.”

While the sport admittedly plays a major role in Lavalley’s life—specifically over the course of the past year—there is a good chance that his forthcoming match could be his final foray in the sport.

“In my line of work, you’ve got to travel and you can’t put in the amount of time that’s required to compete at a very high level,” Lavalley said. “In the last year, I’ve been fortunate enough to have that time.”

“I own part of a directional drilling company, and we just started an environmental clean-up company, I’m the part-owner of Complete Martial Arts and Fitness and the co-promoter of Saturday Night Fights, so I’ve got a lot of things on my plate,” Lavalley said.

“It can be too much, to be honest. For the commitment and the training that it takes to be successful in this sport, you almost have to be 21, 22 and not have a lot of commitments. I’m doing it because I love the sport and I want to fight in my hometown again. I’m not sure if I’m ever going to do it again. It takes a lot from you and a lot of understanding and a lot of help from a lot of people.”

“There’s always that chance that I’ll take another match. I’ll have to sit down with the people in my life and find out how hard it was on them—because I can see how hard it is—but we’ll see. It’s a possibility.”

Regardless of how many matches Lavalley will have in the future, he is quick to insist that he is by no means closing the door on his time in the world of martial arts.

“After my fight, I’m going to concentrate on doing some sport jiu-jitsu,” said Lavalley, who is pursuing his brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. “I’m not saying it doesn’t take commitment—it’s still hard work and it takes a lot of commitment—but you’re not training two times a day, six days a week.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Miesha Tate on Ronda Rousey: "She’s Biting off a Little More Than She Can Chew"

People out there feel there are no rivalries in women’s MMA.Well, we finally have one.It involves the current Strikeforce Bantamweight Champion, Miesha Tate, and newcomer Ronda Rousey. Rousey, who is a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in judo, has gotten o…

People out there feel there are no rivalries in women’s MMA.

Well, we finally have one.

It involves the current Strikeforce Bantamweight Champion, Miesha Tate, and newcomer Ronda Rousey.

Rousey, who is a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist in judo, has gotten off to a 4-0 start, and all four wins have been by armbar. The feud with Tate started after Rousey defeated Julia Budd at the Strikeforce Challengers about 10 days back. Rousey appeared on MMAFighting.com saying that no one can compete with her on the ground and was ready to challenge Tate for the title.

Tate didn’t take too kindly to Rousey’s words, and the feud has been brewing ever since.

Tate was impressed with Rousey’s performance at the Challengers show.

“I thought she had a good performance,” Tate told me. “I thought she won impressively. It was nice to see that to see her go out there and put a good show for the women in the sport to prove we’re just as capable as the men. We put on exciting fights, and I was happy to see her do that.”

Rousey stated that no one woman can compete on the ground with her considering her background, and Tate had some very harsh words for the newcomer.

“I think it’s stupid. i think that either she’s not being herself and she’s completely trying to hype the fight or she’s an idiot. There are plenty of women who can give her a challenge on the ground, one of them being myself. I don’t appreciate her arrogance to be honest. If she wants to challenge me and she wants to make it a ground battle, I’ll be happy to give it to her and she’s not gonna like it.”

A lot of people are jumping on the Rousey train considering what she did in the Olympics and the start she’s gotten off to so far in MMA.

Tate, while impressed, feels Rousey is lacking in a lot of areas.

“She went to the Olympics for judo, so she’s a bronze medalist and obviously she’s very accomplished there. I can’t take anything away from what she’s done in the cage. She’s 4-0, all four wins by armbar in the first round. I have to say, I don’t think she’s really faced anyone with a strong ground game yet. Certainly not what I would consider on my level and also experience wise hasn’t faced anyone as experienced as me in the sport. She hasn’t been put in any positions where it would call to measure how big her heart is. How big is her determination? When is her threshold? When is her quitting point? I haven’t found mine either. I know its been tested. But I’ve never came to the point where I was ever consider quitting.

I know I’ve been through my trials and tribulations, I’ve fought some of the very best in the world and she hasn’t. She’s kinda stepping into deep water and I’m not sure she’s ready for that, honestly. I think she’s gonna get more than she can chew. She’s biting off a little more than she can chew.”

Rousey has won all four of her fights by armbar and hasn’t really been tested. Is she a one-trick pony? You be the judge.

“Well (chuckles), I’m sure she she has more in her toolbox than just an armbar. However I think that is her go to move obviously. Like I said, when someone gets put into a bad position or is being punched in the face or has to work out of a chokehold or an armbar of there own. I don’t know if Ronda Rousy has that in her and I’d like to be the one to find out.”

Rousey has been campaigning for the fight with Tate, as she feels it’s the matchup to make right now and the fight would draw. Tate doesn’t feel that is the case and feels there are two fighters who are more worthy of the opportunity.

“No, absolutely not. She’s 4-0 and no she has not earned her spot at all in the 135lb division much less as a contender. I think it would be really disheartening to see the women that have been working at this sport for years and have records like 14-1. Sarah Kaufman whose beating all the top ranked 135ers pretty much and she’s up for a title shot before Ronda, so is Alexis Davis. I think Ronda needs to ear her spot more. I think definitely she’s riding too much on her looks. She’s performing as well, but she needs to perform against girls. I would consider top contenders in the 135lb division before she starts spouting off that she wants a title fight. I think it’s pretty absurd and ridiculous to be honest.”

Out of Kaufman and Davis, Tate gives her take on who she feels should be the next title challenger.

“I would like to face Sarah Kaufman because I want a chance to avenge a loss. However fighting Alexis, is a great candidate as well. She’s been beating tough girls in Strikeforce. She’s 2-0 and I think she’s like 11-4 overall and she’s really tough. She’s been making a name for herself. If that’s who I fight next, I would be really honored to fight her as fight well. So either or are definitely head and feet above Ronda in my opinion as far as who deserves what.”

The sport of women’s MMA has been starting to make a little noise, and with the noise Rousey has been making, is she good for the women?

“Overall, I have to say she’s good for Women’s MMA because she’s been drawing attention. It’s always nice to have another pretty face in the mix. But I just think, she’s just coming into this sport. She’s really a baby and she’s got to be careful. She kinda thinks she knows it all. She talks about marketing this and marketing that, but I mean I’ve been doing this longer than her. I feel like I have more experience. She’s just gonna get chewed up and spit right out if she’s not careful because coming in at 4-0 and not having a lot of experience.. If I go out there and just smash her, then that’s nothing then.

What is MMA, if that’s the only fight that can be promoted and she goes out there and loses and loses a lot of hype with it. I just think that fight can be built up a lot more. I think she can be built up a lot more. She kinda compares herself to Brock Lesnar, he was 4-0 and got a title. But Brock Lesnar was a freak and had millions of fans and she doesn’t. All her fans are coming from MMA. I don’t even think Brock Lesnar should’ve earned that title shot. But he did. He had a huge following coming from the WWE. She’s still just building up.”

You can listen to the two-part interview with Miesha Tate here.

You can follow me on Twitter @fightclubchi.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Kajan Johnson: "Let Me In, Dana!"

Following Kajan Johnson’s impressive victory over Richie Whitson at MFC 31 in October, it probably wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the Burns Lake, British Columbia product’s confidence is at an all-time high. “I would change n…

“I would change nothing about my last performance,” Johnson, who has long been regarded as one of Canada’s brightest young mixed martial artists, told Bleacher Report. “If I had to grade my performance against Ritchie, I’d say it was a 10.”

After Johnson’s most recent win—his seventh victory in his past eight outings—the young lightweight is anxious to get back into the ring. According to Johnson, the sooner, the better.

“I’d like to be on the MFC card in late-January. [MFC president Mark Pavelich] has told me I’m on it, but I’m still waiting for him to confirm an opponent.”

According to Johnson—as evidenced by his enthusiastic post-fight interview in November—one potential challenger for ‘Ragin’s” return to the ring is Marcus Davis, who twice fought under the MFC banner in 2011.

“Yeah, I said Davis, but I don’t know if it’s going to happen, though,” Johnson explained. “I don’t think Pav wants that fight. If I did fight him, though, I’d beat that ass!”

Although the MFC has recently given matches to Brian Cobb, Drew Fickett and Antonio McKee, Johnson insisted that he feels there isn’t much left for him to accomplish in the confines of Canada’s most respected organization.

“No, I don’t think there’s that many interesting fights left in MFC for me,” Johnson opined. “That’s why I’m callin’ out Dana White so much on Twitter. Let me in, Dana!”

As you can probably tell, Johnson, looking past his potential return in January, is hoping to soon make the next step in his career.

“I would do very well if I signed with the UFC today,” Johnson, who recently spent time training at the TriStar Gym in Montreal, said. “There is a lot of talent there, but there’s no one like me. I’d fight anyone in that division … At this point in my career, it’s my goal to be the best fighter in the entire world, get the UFC lightweight belt and ball outta control.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 140 Video: Corissa Furr Interviews Tito “The People’s Champ” Ortiz

They say you can’t give yourself a nickname—but don’t tell former UFC champ Tito “Bad Boy” Ortiz that. Correction: “The People’s Champ.” Our friends at Fighting Famous caught up with Mr. Ortiz and did so in style, putting sexy Strikeforce ring girl Corissa Furr in front of the microphone. Not just another pretty face, Furr […]

UFC Betting

UFC 140 Video: Corissa Furr Interviews Tito “The People’s Champ” Ortiz

UFC 140 Video: Corissa Furr Interviews Tito "The People’s Champ" Ortiz

They say you can’t give yourself a nickname—but don’t tell former UFC champ Tito “Bad Boy” Ortiz that. Correction: “The People’s Champ.”

Our friends at Fighting Famous caught up with Mr. Ortiz and did so in style, putting sexy Strikeforce ring girl Corissa Furr in front of the microphone.

Not just another pretty face, Furr held her own with the fighter formerly known as “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” while she displayed a great knowledge of the sport—and looking oh so easy on the eyes while doing so.

As far as what Tito had to say, we’ll let you check out the video, but if you like your teasers then we can divulge that he talks about UFC on FOX and UFC 140—and of course no MMA interview would be complete without some PRIDE banter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Minnesota MMA Fighter Mike Richman: I Will Be in the UFC or Bellator in 2012

The Hyatt hotel in downtown Minneapolis, MN will play host to Saturday night’s MMA Downtown Showdown event presented by the Sterling Entertainment Group. The event will feature a number of local fighters, including one of the area&…

The Hyatt hotel in downtown Minneapolis, MN will play host to Saturday night’s MMA Downtown Showdown event presented by the Sterling Entertainment Group. The event will feature a number of local fighters, including one of the area’s brightest up-and-coming competitors, Mike “The Marine” Richman.

Richman is set to fight Wisconsin native Morgan Sickinger in a featherweight bout. He has been training extensively for a fight on this night and has been very happy with his new team at The Academy [formerly known as Minnesota Martial Arts Academy] in Brooklyn Center, MN.

“I’m training with the best of the best, which has totally elevated my game,” Richman told me regarding his new team. “I feel if I would’ve started my career training here, I would be 11-0, not 10-1. That’s how strongly I feel about training at The Academy.”

The level of competition at the gym is fierce. With numerous veterans of the sport all training together, Richman has benefited from finally being able to work with the top-level fighters.

“You don’t get any better than training with Jacob Volkmann, Nik Lentz, Sean Sherk, Paul Bradley and all the other upcoming prospects that you will be seeing on TV,” he said.

Another one of Richman’s training partners, Brandon Girtz, will also be competing on Saturday night’s fight card as he battles in the main event against former Strikeforce veteran Eric Wisely.

“I haven’t been training there even a year. I’d say about six months. I feel like I’ve elevated my game tremendously in that time and a lot of that has to do with the guys I train with,” he credited his team. “You can’t fly with the eagles if you’re hanging out with the crows.”

Perhaps it is this philosophy that will help propel Richman into stardom in 2012. Before he even joined The Academy, the now 26-year-old former Marine had already competed for a spot on season 12 of the hit UFC television show The Ultimate Fighter. Unfortunately, those plans were spoiled when he lost his final fight, ending his chances to be on the weekly show as he was one of the final round of eliminations.

“It was kind of frustrating for me,” Richman admitted. “I felt like I underperformed and it’s one of those things where it was at 155, so it wasn’t my weight class, but I wanted to try out anyway. I just underperformed. I lost a decision to Aaron Wilkinson and it was just a sh–ty situation for me. I’m trying to rally back and hopefully Dana White will give me a chance to fight for them in the future.”

He will attempt to keep the rally going on Saturday night when he faces off against “Captain” Morgan Sickinger, who took the fight on only about a week’s notice when Richman’s previous opponent, Josh Kasee, had to drop out do to an injury.

“The Marine” expects this new fight to be an interesting contrast of styles.

“[Sickinger] is more of a wrestling-grappler while [Kasee] was more of a striker. So it’s a little switch of styles, but I feel like in order to really show how good you are in this sport, you’ve got to be able to take on wrestlers and grapplers,” Richman explained. “I like to stand and I like to fight, but I feel like I can take [Sickinger] down, I can stuff his takedowns. I work with better wrestlers than he’s working with, so I’m taking that mindset into the cage.”

A win would move Richman one step closer to his eventual goal of performing in front of a much larger audience. But surprisingly, while he was only one win away from having a career-changing experience on The Ultimate Fighter, he is not necessarily chomping at the bit to get on the show in the future.

“I’m more or less just looking to get into a straight UFC fight by getting called up to fight on the undercard or something like that,” he said. “If I don’t make it to the UFC by then, maybe the next time they do a featherweight or bantamweight season, maybe I’ll try out again.”

It’s one rung at a time for this former Marine who is focused on moving up the ladder, but his goals are well-defined and to the point. A victory on Saturday night over Sickinger would be a nice feather in the cap of this confident young fighter, but he is confident that the world will be seeing much more of him in the next year.

“In 2012, you’re definitely going to see me in Bellator or the UFC. You’ll see me in a big promotion in 2012 and that’s a guarantee.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com