We have to take some time and show some love to the fighters who have
not got the big stage. In this case we are talking about a fighter that has made the small stage a hell of a lot of fun to
watch. I am talking about the "Anytime Any-weight warrior" known as Mike Wilkins. I am very happy to have a chance to place
the spot light onto a class act fighter and give him a chance to talk.
Sadistic Athletics: How are you Mr. Mike Wilkins?
MW: I'm doing well, training hard and living the life.
SA: Take us into a normal day for you. Start to finish.
MW: Well, in fight training I usually get up at about 8:00am try and
eat a good breakfast, and then it's off to class. After class
I take a run down to the gym for an afternoon Muay Thai practice.
Head back home to relax eat and get whatever I need done then its back down the Gym for either a Jiu-Jitsu, or Muay Thai practice,
depending on the day.
SA: How long have you been involved in Wrestling and MMA all together?
MW: Man, I've been wrestling since age 5. They passed out papers to all
the kids in my elementary school, and I was in kindergarten but I got a hold of one off of an older kid. It took off from
there. After my wrestling career was over I was watching MMA, and thought I needed to be doing that!
SA: How did you find your way into the Mad Dog Gym?
MW: I was back at my high school rolling with the wrestling team and
I was talking about how I wanted to train MMA, and one of the coaches (Mike Bothwell) told me to check Maddog out. So I got
a hold of Dave (Suchevich) and they brought me in and put me to work. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to train under
and with such good people.
SA: Now in your fight with Dave Summerville I was really impressed with
your standup. Was that your plan, to dominate with out the use of your ground game?
MW: Yea, that was the game plan. My first fight was all ground so I wanted
to display that I wasn't one dimensional. I took this fight on 2 days notice and up 2 weight classes so we didn't really have
an in depth game plan for it, just to use only stand up.
SA: You had a beautiful combination at around 1:49 into the
fight.
You landed a sexy hook to the body and followed with a body kick and ended with a leg kick. Was that a combination you drilled
or did it just materialize?
MW: Yea Thanks, we drill combinations using punches to set up kicks and
knees all the time, Dave has them drilled into my head I even dream about them! It's all the system he puts in place, I'm
just product.
SA: Now, how was that fight different then your match with a very game
Scott Morgan?
MW: That was another short notice fight up 2 weight classes. The kid
had a name coming in. He was a fan favorite I got booed badly and everything. We knew he was no joke so I had to go in there
and use all my skills, no messing around with him. I was able to secure a body triangle and rear naked choke at 1:00 of the
2nd round.
SA: Now you have a match coming up. What weight can we expect you at?
MW: I'm back down to 145. That's my home and that's where I'm most comfortable.
Time bring this belt down to Maddog!
SA: How do you want to end this fight?
MW: I don't care how this fight ends as long as I finish. TKO, Submission,
KO it doesn't matter. I just want to finish!
SA: How many more before Mike Wilkins becomes a pro?
MW: That's a tough question. I want to win this belt and defend it once.
Maybe take a fight in between the two as well. Then go pro! I just want to feel ready and tested before I make the jump.
SA: We are all looking forward to seeing you work over the best. Now,
last question…Who is the best sponsor coming up?(Laughing)
MW: Sadistic Athletics Man!! You guys treat us great and really give
us support! It is greatly appreciated.
SA: Thank you Mike for your time and we will follow up with you after
the fight.
MW: Sounds great man, I just want to thank my training partners Luke,
Matt, Corey, Damon, Curby, Brenton, Jeremy, Lettia, and Most of all my Trainer Dave.
About the interviewer: Brandon Ramos is Co-Owner of Sadistic
Athletics/C-40 Inc. Brandon has trained in both Nnjutsu as well as Jiu-Jitsu and has been involved in Martial Arts for
over 8 years.
