Den 16 maj avgörs Cage 30 i Helsingfors, Finland. I huvudmatchen tar UFC-veteranen Anton Kuivanen (21-8) emot britten Sean Carter (10-1) i en lättviktsmatch. Inför matchen har MMAnytt fått en pratstund med finländaren Kuivanen där han ärligt diskuterar hur han ser på fighten, hans mentala förberedelser och hur han skulle agera annorlunda om han fick en ny chans i UFC.
F: You are scheduled to fight Sean Carter at Cage 30 the 16th of May. How is your training camp going for the fight?
S: ”It’s going very well. After my last fight I decided to travel to Thailand so I’ve been training over there, at AKA Thailand, and some other places. I’ve been training very hard and also I’ve been enjoying the nice weather over there. Now I’m back in Finland and have started training at GB gym, and discussed things with my coach on how we should prepare for the fight. I am back on track, healthy and the preparations are going well”.
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F: What can you tell us about your opponent Sean Carter? Is this fight intriguing to you?
S: ”I saw his last fight in Cage Warrior. He looks tough. In that fight he ate some leather and some kicks but he took it and kept moving forward and got a win by triangle choke. He seems to like to move forward, which I think will suite my style. He does have a dangerous triangle choke, so I will avoid being in his guard too much. I feel very confident in that I will win this fight. He does not present anything new that I have not already seen so I will look for either a highlight-reel knockout or a beautiful submission, but I will look spectacular”.
F: Your last fight was at Cage 29, which was the 28th of February, not that long ago. How come you chose to accept a new match so shortly after the last one?
S: ”Actually, I already had this date (16 maj) in the back of my mind in my last fight. This is a part of my contract with Cage, since they want me to fight four times this year. After this fight I will have another one in September and also one in November. I like that I already know the dates. It makes it easier for me to plan my training as well as things outside the cage. I’ve had some injuries before but now I’m healthy, so I might as well perform often when I can”.
F: This will be the third time in a row that your fight is in Helsinki, your hometown. Do you prefer to fight in Finland or elsewhere?
S: ”I like to fight everywhere. The fight is always the same wherever you go; the same cage and an opponent. And my focus is on my performance and my opponent. I do love traveling and working on my skills in different countries. In my career I’ve trained in about 20 countries, for example in the states, China, Mongolia, Russia, Thailand and many more. Besides fighting my passion is traveling so when I can combine the two it’s really good. However, I also like to perform in Finland, in front of friends. They give me a lot of support so I like to have the hometown advantage. It’s always a very good atmosphere there and being there also brings back good memories.
F: Why did you choose to train in Thailand? What did you gain from going there?
S: ”Mainly to change my environment. Get out of my comfort zone. I visited 6 different gyms while I was there, no huge discoveries but small things and details on technics and habits. Working on my skills and polishing my technics/sharpening my weapons. I did get some insights in the standup-game. They have some outstanding Muay Thai over there so I’ve improved my knee- and elbow-strikes. Plus the weather is fantastic, the food is great and life is simple and cheap. I also like to relax in the ocean when I’m not training. I really liked to dive and snorkel in Thailand”.
F: What aspect of fighting do you like the most?
S: ”Good question. I like pretty much everything about it. The variety of skills that are necessary and the physical demands in MMA. I appreciate the honesty and the nakedness of the whole situation. You are in there alone with no equipment, just you. It’s very simple but at the same time very challenging. Mostly I enjoy standup, but I’ve learned to like all aspects and combining all my skills, which I think MMA is all about these days. The way I see it, it’s about understanding the whole process of the competition. There is no bullshit in there, not like everyday life”.
F: It’s been a little bit over two years since you got released from the UFC. Do you feel ready to return if they offered you a contract today and would you approach it differently a second time?
S: ”Yes, I would. Last weekend I saw the Michael Chiesa vs. Mitch Clarke-fight, and since I’ve fought both those guys, I got even hungrier for a return to the UFC. I think that I can challenge anyone in their lightweight division. The first time I was under contract with them I was more like a tourist. I was not quite ready but now I feel much more ready and more focused on conquering than just being there. I am ready to step up to the challenge!”
F: How much time do you spend working on your mental game?
S: ”More and more. It’s something that I’ve understood that I need to work more with. After the last few years, which was like a roller coaster, with mixing wins and loses, there were some things that had to be improved. I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know myself and understanding the emotions that I have inside the cage. You have to be able to face yourself with all your strengths and weaknesses if you want to make it in the UFC, which I do. And more than that I want to continue to grow as a martial artist and as a human being”.
F: Do you still train at American Top Team?
S: ”I’m always welcome there and I am under contract with them as well so we stay in touch. The last time I was there was about a year ago. Since 2009 I’ve been there once a year for 1-3 months at a time, so I’ll probably go there later this year when I have time. I love going there and sharpening up my skills. They have one of the best camps in the world so I learn a lot by going there. Also I have friends there and the training-partners are really good. The weather in Florida doesn’t hurt either”.
F: Finally, what can we expect from you on Cage 30?
S: ”You can expect a fast paced-fight. Neither of us will back down. I’m going to make him eat my knees and I foresee a spectacular victory. Either I will break him or he’s going to sleep”
