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Ahead of this Friday nights EFC Africa 15 fight night we decided to interview the first ever EFC Light Heavy Weight Title fight contenders JP Joubert and Norman Wessels. We asked them the same questions and below is their answers to these questions.
See what they have to say about the fight, their preparation and each other!
Full name?
JP: Jean-Pierre Joubert.
Chef: Norman Adriaan Wessels.
Age ?
JP: 30.
Chef: 31.
Nickname?
JP: JP.
Chef: Chef.
Move of choice?
JP: Mooker.
Chef: Rear Naked Choke.
Fighting style?
JP: Kickboxing.
Chef: MMA
Sponsors?
JP: Aeonmind.
Chef: USN, Sprawl, Hunter MMA, Licorish Restaurant, Grana, Tamacin my massage therapist, DNA Human Advancement Centre, Ross Chiropractor, Ian my NLP coach and more to come on fight night.
Gym?
JP: Mayhem.
Chef: Fight Fit Militia.
Fighting for the first Light Heavyweight title at EFC 15 what has been your main preparation for this fight?
JP: Fitness for 5 rounds.
Chef: More of the same since my last fight with Dane Neveling. Staying motivated and consistent has been key.
What are your thoughts about your opponents fighting style?
JP: He has not impressed me with anything, and isn’t strong in any style
Chef: He is a brawler that tries to be unorthodox. Some submissions and standup with little congruency.
How do you think your opponent is going to match up to you in the cage?
JP: Maybe he will go 2 rounds and then quit.
Chef: On paper and in training effort he is far behind, but it is MMA and who wants it more will take it.
What do you think your opponents strategy is going to be?
JP: He won’t stand and trade, so I’m prepared for him to shoot for the takedown.
Chef: His strategy is irrelevant to me. Whether he can deal with my performance is relevant.
Do you see the fight going all 5 rounds or do you think it will end early?
JP: A fight shouldn’t last 5 rounds if you can figure out your opponents weakness.
Chef: I will take it as far and as deep as it needs to go but the quicker the better.
How do you see the fight ending?
JP: Big spectacular KO.
Chef: I don’t pre-empt anything. I need to be adaptable and capitalise on my opportunities.
How did this fight come about?
JP: The LHW isn’t a big division so it was inevitable.
Chef: The EFC told me to fight after my last performance. As simple as that. We don’t pick fights we just show up.
Have you had to change up anything in your training in order to fight your opponent?
JP: I haven’t changed anything just amped up intensity.
Chef: No changes have been made. I am sure he has more to consider than me. He did not leave himself a lot of time either to make constructive changes besides telling everyone he is gonna smash me.
How often have you been training for this fight and what have you been concentrating on?
JP: 2 to 3 times a day, 6 days a week, and getting all round conditioning is not as easy as just running.
Chef: I train full time. 6-8hours a day, Six days a week.
What gets you motivated and pumped up for your fight on fight night?
JP: I’m relaxed up until I walk towards the ring, the walk out song is the trigger.
Chef: I don’t get pumped. I get nervous and scared. I am in a fight with a lot at stake besides a purse and popularity. My health and safety is very important and take that very seriously. Coming home to my girlfriend Kady and daughter Bayley-Anna relatively unscathed is very important.
Do you have any specific things you do before your fight?
JP: Pick training partners with no chips on their shoulders .
Chef: Keep cool and calm. Just to get mentally ready and embrace the fact that I am in a fight.
What goes through your mind as you enter the arena and enter the cage?
JP: Time to destroy.
Chef: My needs and reasons for being there in the first place.
What is your strategy for this fight?
JP: Fighting is organised chaos, go with the flow.
Chef: To be formless and adaptable.
Can you tell us what song you will be walking out to?
JP: We will Rock you up.
Chef: Ill bill – this means war.
What can the crowd expect on fight night at EFC 15?
JP: Destruction and a life changing fight.
Chef: A finish ……nothing will be left to points
How do you think your opponent is going to match up to you in the cage?
JP: Maybe he will go 2 rounds and then quit.
Chef: On paper and in training effort he is far behind, but it is MMA and who wants it more will take it.
fAMOUS LAST WORDS
HEHEHE