‘The King’ at the Crossroads
Mike Whitman Oct 15, 2010
Spencer
Fisher epitomizes UFC veteran. “The King” made his promotional
debut back in 2006 and has fought 13 times inside the Octagon in
four years, and though he has never been awarded a title shot,
Fisher has provided plenty of excitement throughout his career.
He will square off against British up-and-comer Curt Warburton in an undercard bout at UFC 120 on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London. Fisher feels no added pressure heading into the match, despite coming off back-to-back losses for the first time in his career.
“I think I have all the tools to beat this guy, so it’s not so much
pressure,” Fisher told Sherdog.com, “but at the same time, I need
this win. So I feel confident going in there to fight this guy.
However, it’s still dangerous, because I can’t afford to lose this
fight.”
Formerly of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp, Fisher now trains out of his own gym in Moline, Ill. Several former training partners came to Fisher’s Evolution Gym to help him prepare for Warburton’s style.
Fisher has watched tape on the lanky Brit and claims to be prepared to take Warburton out of his comfort zone.
“He likes to stand up, but he doesn’t fight well going backwards. He’s a taller, lankier guy, but he’s pretty simple, and I’m going to exploit those weaknesses,” said the southpaw. “Maybe [I’ll get inside and slug with him], or maybe I’ll put him on his back. I have more tools. I think I’m better at stand-up, better on the ground. I have better wrestling. I think I’m better everywhere.”
Other factors to consider are the travel and the time change. Fisher has fought abroad before, having defeated Caol Uno in Germany at UFC 99 in 2009. He deemed himself ready for the inherent challenges of fighting in London.
“You know, there’s no place is like home, but I don’t mind traveling,” Fisher said. “I’d rather fight in my backyard than go across the pond to somebody else’s, but this is my job, and I’m thankful to be in here.”
Fisher last appeared in June, when he was defeated by German striker Dennis Siver at “The Ultimate Fighter 11” Finale in Las Vegas. Fisher believes he won the fight.
“We had a game plan, and I stuck to it well. I know that everybody was bitching because I didn’t go for it as much as I had in the past, but I was trying to nullify a lot of the things that he does. He throws a lot of left hooks and spinning back kicks,” said Fisher. “Every time I’d go back to my corner, we thought I was winning the fight. Of course, the judges had the final say, so I should have pressed on, but I thought I was doing what I was supposed to do to win that fight.”
Fisher has 29 professional fights to his credit and has been injured multiple times throughout his career. He responded with candor when asked about his health and his age.
“That’s a fair question, because in my past couple of fights, I had some injuries, so I wasn’t able to prepare like I should have,” said Fisher. “I’m getting older, and I’ve had a lot of fights, a lot of wars, and my body is paying for it. But I’m feeling good again. My body is good. I think you’re going to see the best Spencer Fisher that you’ve seen in a long time.”
Perhaps best known for his two knock-down-drag-out encounters with Canadian Sam Stout, Fisher feels those fights were the most difficult and unforgettable of his career.
“To be honest, Sam Stout brought the best out in me,” said the 34-year-old.” He’s one of the top guys out there, and he’s my toughest fight to date, hands down. He’s a guy who brings his ‘A’ game every time. He’s always in great shape. Those are definitely my most memorable fights.”
With their score tied at one victory apiece, Fisher remains open to a third match with Stout, so long as the timing is right.
“If it made sense to do it again, yeah, I’d do it,” said Fisher. “But right now, we’re both at a point in our careers where it doesn’t make sense. Right now, we’re both trying to climb back up to a better spot. Right now, I’m just focusing on [Warburton] and whatever gets me closer to being back on top.”
When asked who he wanted to fight in the future, Fisher did not mince words.
“I’d go back up to 170 and fight Thiago Alves again. That’s a fight that I think he might want to get back. I’d go back up in weight and fight him, no problem,” he said. “But right now, I’m ready to get after Warburton. He’s first and foremost. And then I’m ready to take on the next guy who’s going to bring the best out in me.”
He will square off against British up-and-comer Curt Warburton in an undercard bout at UFC 120 on Saturday at the O2 Arena in London. Fisher feels no added pressure heading into the match, despite coming off back-to-back losses for the first time in his career.
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Formerly of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp, Fisher now trains out of his own gym in Moline, Ill. Several former training partners came to Fisher’s Evolution Gym to help him prepare for Warburton’s style.
“For this fight, I stayed home, nursing injuries and tending to my
gym and my fighters. I’ve had some of my old training partners come
back in. Josh Neer came
and helped me out,” said Fisher. “Most of those guys are tall, like
Warburton, and they’ve tried to emulate him.”
Fisher has watched tape on the lanky Brit and claims to be prepared to take Warburton out of his comfort zone.
“He likes to stand up, but he doesn’t fight well going backwards. He’s a taller, lankier guy, but he’s pretty simple, and I’m going to exploit those weaknesses,” said the southpaw. “Maybe [I’ll get inside and slug with him], or maybe I’ll put him on his back. I have more tools. I think I’m better at stand-up, better on the ground. I have better wrestling. I think I’m better everywhere.”
Other factors to consider are the travel and the time change. Fisher has fought abroad before, having defeated Caol Uno in Germany at UFC 99 in 2009. He deemed himself ready for the inherent challenges of fighting in London.
“You know, there’s no place is like home, but I don’t mind traveling,” Fisher said. “I’d rather fight in my backyard than go across the pond to somebody else’s, but this is my job, and I’m thankful to be in here.”
Fisher last appeared in June, when he was defeated by German striker Dennis Siver at “The Ultimate Fighter 11” Finale in Las Vegas. Fisher believes he won the fight.
“We had a game plan, and I stuck to it well. I know that everybody was bitching because I didn’t go for it as much as I had in the past, but I was trying to nullify a lot of the things that he does. He throws a lot of left hooks and spinning back kicks,” said Fisher. “Every time I’d go back to my corner, we thought I was winning the fight. Of course, the judges had the final say, so I should have pressed on, but I thought I was doing what I was supposed to do to win that fight.”
Fisher has 29 professional fights to his credit and has been injured multiple times throughout his career. He responded with candor when asked about his health and his age.
“That’s a fair question, because in my past couple of fights, I had some injuries, so I wasn’t able to prepare like I should have,” said Fisher. “I’m getting older, and I’ve had a lot of fights, a lot of wars, and my body is paying for it. But I’m feeling good again. My body is good. I think you’re going to see the best Spencer Fisher that you’ve seen in a long time.”
Perhaps best known for his two knock-down-drag-out encounters with Canadian Sam Stout, Fisher feels those fights were the most difficult and unforgettable of his career.
“To be honest, Sam Stout brought the best out in me,” said the 34-year-old.” He’s one of the top guys out there, and he’s my toughest fight to date, hands down. He’s a guy who brings his ‘A’ game every time. He’s always in great shape. Those are definitely my most memorable fights.”
With their score tied at one victory apiece, Fisher remains open to a third match with Stout, so long as the timing is right.
“If it made sense to do it again, yeah, I’d do it,” said Fisher. “But right now, we’re both at a point in our careers where it doesn’t make sense. Right now, we’re both trying to climb back up to a better spot. Right now, I’m just focusing on [Warburton] and whatever gets me closer to being back on top.”
When asked who he wanted to fight in the future, Fisher did not mince words.
“I’d go back up to 170 and fight Thiago Alves again. That’s a fight that I think he might want to get back. I’d go back up in weight and fight him, no problem,” he said. “But right now, I’m ready to get after Warburton. He’s first and foremost. And then I’m ready to take on the next guy who’s going to bring the best out in me.”
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