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Notes
from the midwest fight scene
It’s the weekend after Valentine’s
Day and what better time to snuggle up for some incredible fights?
The Midwest is bursting at the seams with action (MMA action,
that is)!
On the eve of his King of the Cage debut against
“Krazy Horse” Charles Bennett, Jeff Curran takes a
moment to share his thoughts with Sherdog.
Sherdog: “Krazy Horse” is ranked
third in KOTC behind bantamweight champion Urijah Faber and is
coming off of a win in PRIDE. Are these factors you look at going
into this fight? Does this intimidate you at all?
Jeff Curran: Not intimidated
at all. I haven't been where he has been. He hasn't been where
I have been. His win in PRIDE is [against] a nobody — someone
with zero skill. It is a popular fight for him, but not a big
accomplishment in my eyes. Either way, I am always looking to
take a step forward, not back.
Sherdog: Do you have a specific game plan? Do
you plan to stand-up with Bennett where he appears more comfortable
or take him down?
Curran: I don't have much
of a plan for the fight. I respect him for being tough, but I
am not afraid to stand with him.
Sherdog: Has your training and preparation for
this fight been the same or different than fights in the past?
Curran: Pretty much the
same. I focused more on making sure my clinch timing is down more
than normal. I also worked on taking more shots than normal just
in case we end up standing and letting it fly. [I’ve been
training for] maybe about two weeks. Decent. I knew about the
fight six weeks ago, but normal life and business hasn't allowed
the schedule. I am always in fight shape though.
Sherdog: You have many things going right now:
your team, your gym, your own promotion and you're newly married!
How do you manage it all?
Curran: I don't know how
I manage it all. My wife is 100 percent supportive, and I also
have two new puppies. … My gym is growing huge. My team
is kicking butt. My show (XFO) is solid. Life is good!
Sherdog: Speaking of your team, you’re
no longer Team Lynxx. Why and when did this change?
Curran: I just wanted my
own identity. I wanted to have my success be the catapult for
my business. I guess that's why.
Sherdog: I have to ask: Where did your nickname
"The Big Frog" come from and what does it mean?
Curran: It means sapao
in Portuguese and my friend Mica Ciparelli gave me the name back
in 1999 when he saw me warming up the class and having a tattoo
of a frog on my back. Sort of stuck.
Sherdog: What is next for you? Do you have another
fight coming up? Another promotion?
Curran: Next on the list
is my second pro boxing bout. It is Comcast Sports Net at the
All State Arena in Chicago on April 12 for Bobby Hitz Boxing Promotions.
That is my next focus. It will be aired on national television,
and I will be doing my first six-round fight at 140 pounds.
Sherdog: That is great. Anything else you want
to add?
Curran: Get ready for the
best KOTC yet. Don't miss the PPV on March 10th.
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