För två dagar sedan blev det klart att Diego Nunes kommer att möta Dennis Siver på UFC: Sweden den 14 april i Stockholm. Så vi passade på att slå Nunes en signal för att fråga ut honom lite om den kommande matchen, och hur han kände för att gå en match i Sverige.
HETAST JUST NU
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Marcus Kowal: Diego, congratulations on the opportunity to fight in Sweden. First of all, tell us a little bit about your opponent, German Dennis Siver?
Diego Nunes: Thank you! Dennis is a tough guy, very experienced and a natural striker. I’ve been wanting a fight like that; a stand-up war, so I’m very excited!
This will be Siver’s first fight at 145lb, what’s your thoughts on him dropping down to Featherweight?
It shouldn’t be any problems for Dennis to make weight. He’s a very strong and muscular guy but there’s definitely room for him to take some weight off. He will probably lose a little bit of muscle but 10 lbs isn’t that big of a deal to drop, although I’m not sure what he usually walks around at.
Siver is just coming of a loss to Donald Cerrone. First of all, did you see the fight and if so, what’s your thoughts on that?
Yes, I did get a chance to watch it and Cerrone is a very good and tough opponent. He’s also very strong and it was a tough fight for Dennis. Cerrone is naturally the bigger guy and he’s also very aggressive.
You are – at least on paper – the better grappler out of the two of you. Can we expect you to take the fight to the ground?
I’ve been waiting to fight a striker of Dennis’ caliber for a while, so probably not! I am a black belt in Muay Thai and I like to strike. Lately, I’ve been fighting a lot of opponents, who come from more of a grappling background – guys I don’t feel want to stand and strike with me. So I’ve spent a lot of my training camps focusing on defending take-downs and getting back to my feet. I’m really excited to get to spend a camp really focusing on stand up. I believe this will be more of a stand up fight but in the end of the day, this is MMA and anything can happen.
This is the first time we will see the UFC in Sweden and I know the country is very excited to see the UFC over there. However, does it make a difference to you where the Octagons is located when you step into it?
Yes! I’m very excited and honored to get to fight on the first UFC card in Sweden’s history. I’ve fought in Brazil, the U.S and Canada before but I’m looking forward to get to fight in front of new fans and hopefully make some new fans in the process.
There have been some criticism towards MMA in Sweden – what’s your thoughts on that?
Look, it’s a natural process for people to be against something new. However, the UFC is doing a great job spreading the interest in the sport at it’s highest level. A few years from now, it won’t be an issue anymore.
Do you know anything about Sweden?
(laughs) the stereotypical things: it’s cold; the people are tall and blond with blue eyes. I’ve heard a lot about Stockholm and I’m really excited to get a chance to go visit. I’ve been reading up on it a little bit!
Let’s talk about you a little; you have had some injuries in the past and you’ve had to pull out from some fights because of them. Are you doing anything differently, preparing for this fight and are you healed up now?
In the past, I’ve had some lingering injuries that has unfortunately forced me to pull out of fights. After my fight with Manny Gamburyan, I took some time off to rehab – some physio therapy and things like that. So yes, I’m completely fine now. Also, because Dennis is a big, muscular guy, I’m planning on bulking up a little bit for this fight.
You are a very experienced fighter with a great record of 17-2 and you’ve been in there with some of the best. How does Dennis Siver compare to other top names that you’ve fought, such as Kenny Florian and Mike Brown for example?
Dennis Siver is a very tough and experienced guy. I like fighting bigger names, because the fight gets more attention by the media and the fans and that, in turn, motivates me more. I’m really happy I get to be the one to welcome Dennis to the new weight class.
Dennis Siver is from Germany, which is fairly close to Sweden. Although Brazilian fighters are very popular in Sweden, this is almost like fighting in Siver’s backyard so to speak. Do you care if the fans cheer or boo for you?
Yes, I like to conquer new fans! I like the experience when the fans might not like me at first but after the fight, they do. I want to show the Swedish fans my heart and hopefully, I can win them over with my fighting style. However, I’m just honored of the experience to get to fight there.
All your previous opponents have been American or Brazilian, with maybe the exception of Manny Gamburyan, who is Armenian but who still lives and trains in the U.S. Is there a difference in European MMA?
Yes, there is. European MMA fighters are mainly stand-up fighters. They come to strike, whereas a lot of American fighters come from a wrestling background. European fighters are tough and fight hard!
Are you bringing anyone in particular into training camp to simulate Siver’s style and if so, who?
I’m working mainly with stand-up fighters in Brazil – fighters that come from a striking background and even Muay Thai fighters. However, I might bring someone in for the fight, once I’m in the U.S. Either way, I’m planning on focus most of my time working on my striking skills and I will focus a lot of my training over there on my boxing skills.
This interview will be read by a lot of Swedish fans – is there a message you want to send them?
I just want them all to know that I promise a great fight and I hope I will be welcomed into Sweden. I always feel the energy of the crowd and I feel like the more energy I feel, the better I perform. I love fighting in front of fans who enjoy watching me, since I fight with my heart and I always leave it all in the cage!
