Finally, after a three-year hiatus, the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion returns to the United Kingdom, as London hosts the UFC on 19th March. We will be throwing quick-fire questions at all the British fighters in action in this series.
Eleven British fighters will make the walk and compete in front of a sold-out home crowd at O2 Arena. I had the pleasure of speaking to one, in Mike Grundy, before he kick-starts his 2022 campaign against Makwan Amirkhani.
I spoke with Grundy, and we dived into some fun quick-fire questions below.
Quick-fire With Mike Grundy
What values has the sport of Wrestling taught you?
It’s taught me how to work hard in anything I do. It’s kept me disciplined and taught me to show the utmost respect for all my coaches.
The pressure of fighting in front of a home crowd or fighting in enemy territory?
I love to fight in front of a home crowd.
You have to choose one to sit beside for a 10-hour flight between Darren Till and Tom Aspinall teammates. Why is the answer, Tom Aspinall?
Tom 100% as it will be a much more peaceful journey I wouldn’t dare to go to sleep sat at the side of Till I would have no eyebrows, or he would do something to make me look stupid.
What does it mean to you to guide, train alongside and support your son in the path you’ve been on yourself?
This means so much to me. I have made mistakes in my career, but I have also made some great choices in my career, so with all my experience, he is already ahead of the game because he will not make the mistakes I made, and he will take full advantage of following the things I did correctly.
Who Is Mike Grundy’s Biggest Inspiration?
Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career thus far?
I’m going to say my dad he’s taught me so much and made me the man I am today.
Which fighter, past or present, would you have loved to test yourself against?
I always would have liked to fight Chad Mendes; he’s a great athlete, and I think our styles would make a good fight.
What motivates you to continue to get up in the morning and put yourself through the grind?
To be the best fighter I could possibly be and to inspire and show my kids that if you work hard and believe in yourself, anything is possible.
If you had one piece of advice for your younger self, what would it be?
Relax and enjoy the journey.
Toughest Round in the Gym?
Who’s your most challenging round in the gym?
Right now, it’s Caolan Loughran, a good up and coming prospect who has just been signed to Cage Warriors.
How influential has Coach Colin been for MMA in Liverpool?
Colin pretty much got it all started in Liverpool. He understood what was needed to get his fighters to a world-class level, and that is why it’s the most successful gym in Europe, with nine fighters in the UFC.
If you didn’t excel at combat sports, what other sports would you compete in, do you think?
I did some Rugby league when I was younger. Maybe I would have tried my hand at that.
Which victory has been the most memorable of your career so far?
It would have to be my debut in London getting a TKO against Nad Naramani.
Grundy Is a Legacy Man
Legacy or money?
Legacy.
How long does it take you to recover from a major fight?
Depending on the fight after Nad, I was back in the gym week later. But after Movsar, I had to have my jaw operated on and after Lando, I had to have surgery on my elbow
Who has the most powerful hands at Team Kaobon?
Darren Till.
What advice would you give to parents who look at MMA as barbaric and violent who keep their kids away from the sport, not understanding the values it can teach them?
Don’t be stupid and let them try it.
If you could make a five-a-side fight team, who would you include in yours?
Darren Till, Tom Aspinall, Khabib, Khamzat, and Usman.
What does it mean to you to be representing yourself on the biggest stage in your craft?
It makes me feel very proud.
What are your thoughts on Makwan Amirkhani as a fellow competitor?
He’s good. That’s why he has stayed in the UFC so long, but some of his weaknesses are my strength.
How does Mike Grundy get it done on March 19th?
I get the finish.
Follow me on Twitter at @LewisSimpsonMMA, and follow us at Combat Sports UK for more exclusive content!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
