Big House Boxing

On November 14 TUF 1 and TUF 2 veterans will collide in what has been touted as one of the biggest UFC events in history. Season 1 finalist Kenny Forian takes season 2 winner Joe Stevenson to determine who is among the top light-weights in the world. In this must read interview Joe shares his thoughts on Kenny, Randy vs. Brock Lesnar, and his new gym. All this and much more in this Bighouseboxing exclusive.

JB: How’s training going for your fight with Kenny Florian?

JS: Training is going awesome. I got a great team. I got great sparing partners.

JB: Both of you guys are very well-rounded fighters. At this level how important is it to have a good game plan going into the fight and then executing that game plan?

JS: It’s very important. Sometimes people win fights when they shouldn’t, because they had a good game plan. We have been working on some specific things to get ready for Kenny.

JB: Kenny says the biggest difference in this fight is that he is more well rounded than you, and he can beat you anywhere the fight goes. What strengths do you think you have over Kenny?

JS: Well I definitely think my ground game is better. My wrestling is better. I think we’re tied as far as cardiovascular goes. I think I will be stronger than him in certain situations using my shortness to my advantage by putting him in awkward situations where he can’t use his leverage. As far as stand-up goes he’s probably a better outside fighter than me, but I guarantee you he’s not a better inside fighter.

JB: You got cut really bad in your fight with B.J. Penn. Do Kenny’s elbows concern you?

JS: After that major cut with B.J. I don’t think there’s a cut in the world that’s going to make me stress. I never experienced a situation like that in my career especially with that good of an opponent. I don’t see being cut in this fight as a problem for me. I’m not looking for a decision in this fight I’m looking to finish him.

JB: Are you saying that you finish fights too?

JS: Look at my fight record. I finish more fights!

JB: All Kenny’s UFC losses have come from fighters that are good on the ground (Sanchez Sherk). Do you think your superior ground game will be the difference in this fight?

JS: Well I don’t try to force submissions. I wait for them to give me the submission. I try to pound them into it whether it’s by punching them, or out positioning them.

JB: Lots of people are picking Kenny to win this fight. I think mostly because of his win streak. Do you think being the underdog in this fight is unwarranted given your MMA resume?

JS: Yeah I have had big win streaks too. I have had 13 wins in a row (the total amount of fights that Kenny Florian has fought). Big win streaks are a lot of times just taking the right fights. He has momentum, and it’s my job to stop it.

JB: Who do like in the main event Randy Couture or Brock Lesnar?

JS: I’m going with Randy based on experience. Not taking anything away from Brock I think he has the ability to stop anyone. Randy just has more ring generalship. He’s been in every situation. Brock can’t put him anywhere he hasn’t been before, but Randy can definitely put Brock in situations where he’s going to be a fish out of water.

JB: Were you shocked by any of the upsets at the WEC event last week?

JS: I stopped being shocked by anything after Matt Serra beat George St. Pierre. I finally realized it’s not who’s the best. It’s who the best is on that night. Anyone can lose on any given day.

JB: Filho came into his fight with Chael Sonnen 7 pounds overweight. When you’re that much over it’s almost like you didn’t even try to make weight. Do you think this hurts the sport?

JS: Well it’s definitely not professional. However, I don’t know what was going on in his personal life, but honestly I take making weight as part of my job.

JB: I heard you’re opening a new gym. Would you like to tell your fans where it’s going to be, and what kind of training you will be offering?

JS: Oh yeah awesome! It’s actually going to be in my hometown of Victorville, California. If anyone would like to see it they can go to my website which is cagechamp.com. It has got a 20x20 ring, a 20x20 cage, 20 bags up, and 20 bags on the ground. We have another room designated for grappling. The gyms about 9,000 square feet. We also have a fitness room with plasmas, so it’s not a small school.

JB: Are you going to be teaching classes?

JS: I will be teaching classes 5 days a week when I’m not training for a fight. About 4 classes a day.

JB: Fellow TUF cast member Rashad Evans recently scored a devastating knockout over former light-heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. Do you still keep in touch with Rashad or anyone else from the show?

JS: Yeah I was going to go to his wedding a little while back. I know he just had a baby and his wife is just awesome. I do keep in contact with a lot of the guys: Josh Burkman, Sammy Morgan, Mike Whitehead, Keith Jardine, Brad Imes the list goes on and on. You know when you meet good people you don’t want to lose contact with them.

JB: Recently both the IFL and Elite XC went under. Do you think this is good or bad for the sport?

JS: I think maybe they didn’t have all their ducks in a row. I think the UFC has it right. It would be smart for other Organizations to try to learn from the UFC instead of jumping right in and trying to compete with them. They have to start from the ground up. You know for three years the UFC didn’t make a dime after it was bought.

JB: Is there anything you would like to say in closing?

JS: I’d like to say thank you to Warrior Wear, Sprawl, MMA Warehouse, and all the people that have been with me for the long haul. I hope everyone’s ready to see some fireworks this Saturday. I’m going to set the night off then Randy is going to put the exclamation on it!

Contact JP

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