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 Tonight we have an exclusive interview with one of the most prized fighters from the famous slider wizard Lord Rayden, this man needs no introduction but I will give him one anyway. He is the current East Coast MMA bantamweight champion of the world, and riding a nine fight win streak, Mr. Alphons Draclau!
Alphons Draclau came from tragic beginnings. He was born into a humble farming family in a small town in Andorra called Murond Glabados. At the age of 10 his father and mother died for a tragic disease that swept over the area. He was taken in by the church. He spent the rest of his childhood learning the way of the lord. At the age of 16 he decided to take up the sport of wrestling as a means to meet new people. It was there he met his friend and now training partner Pete Ruent. It was like a calling from God. He took to wrestling like no other sport. Within 2 years he felt like I was one of the best wrestlers in the world and no one could stop him with god on his side. At the age of 18 Alphons met Lord Rayden, who at that time was managing 3 of the best fighters in the world, and coming off a TUM 1 managing win, who wanted to become Alphons manager and want him to compete in TUM 2. Alphons decided to test those skills in what was supposed to be the biggest 135 prospect tournament in the world.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy training schedule to speak with me Mr Draclau
The pleasure is mine.
Starting with your first fight in TUM up to your fourth fight how do you think each fight went, what were you working on before and after each fight, and how far were you thinking you could go in this tournament?
The first fight I really wanted to test out my hands and try not to use my wrestling as much. It was a lot closer then it needed to be. The second fight was a much different opponent and after seeing how my hands were in the last fight I didn't want to take the chance so I decided to use my wrestling to my advantage a lot more. The third fight was probably my most disappointing fight of the tournament. It wasn't fun to watch and not fun to fight. We both left a lot in the tank. Although I thought I won, and did win, it wasn't a good showing and I really knew I had a lot more to show. The 4th fight was probably my best fight. It was against an opponent with an experienced manager in Opa Jokinen, and I really wanted to show the world who I was. It was a close fight but I felt my MT was just a bit too strong for him, but I will say the man knows how to wrestle. I didn't think I would have a problem getting him down, but the man’s quick though, even after the leg kicks. After those 4 matches I was on top of the world and felt like the only way I was going to lose is by beating me.
Entering into your fight with Kichiro Takaki, what was your game plan and thoughts on how the fight went?
The game plan was to get in close and take away his kicks. Even though I used them in my last fight I still didn't think I was better than Takaki was at them. I felt like I could have used my wrestling more but at the end of the night when everything was said and done I thought my name for sure was gonna be called at the end of that fight. It was a dream ripped away.
After your first taste of defeat you went and did a couple of QFC’s before signing with MIFC, what lead to you signing with them over another org in Las Vegas?
After Tum I didn't feel I was ready for the big time quite yet, and MIFC challengers seemed like a good fit for up and comers. You do well there and you make it to the big org. The only problem was when it became time for me to go to the big org they had all but shut down.
Shortly after TUM 2 you signed with MIFC in Las Vegas and went 3-0 under their banner, what do you think of your time there and do you wish they would have stuck around long enough for you to make the big show?
My time there was great. The management was amazing and always kept me well in touch with upcoming matches. Isidra Araujo ran a tight ship I will say. I never like to leave an org, but even Isidra knew that I was meant for bigger and better things. I do wish I had a shot at MIFC; the big org. I was training with a few fighters that were fighting there and I felt I could hold my own in training with them why couldn’t I?
After leaving MIFC, you signed with East Coast MMA in New York, after spending time in Vegas, why the move to NY?
Well, Rayden doesn't like his fighters fighting outside of North America, and LV was looking pretty weak in those days. NY was on the rise and it seemed like a good fit and to be honest with you I really wanted a title. All of my training partners had one I wanted one too.
So it was a little bit of belt envy?
Yes I would say it was. It wasn't for a major org belt but I felt I put in my dues with MIFC I wanted a little taste of what it feels to be a champion.
Immediately after coming to the org you won the bantamweight title. How did it feel to win your first belt?
It felt great, like all those years of hard work have finally paid off. After feeling so down after the loss in the semis of tum 2 coming to where I was now it seemed insane to me but great at the same time.
After defending your title in three straight fights, how is defending a title different than chasing it?
I can't say it feels much different, to be honest. I know what’s on the lines every time I go into a fight now, and after watching all of my training partners lose their belts and see how they felt.
You’re currently on a 9 fight winning streak with 4 wins by T(KO), 1 win by submission and 4 wins by decision; what is next for you in your fighting career?
I am trying to put on weight, can't you see (pats himself on the belly)? I am pushing for a move up to 145 and fighting for that title. You know what’s better then walking in with 1 title........2 titles.
Any closing thoughts or something special you want to say?
If there is any 135ers out there who want to test their skills I would love the opportunity to prove to the world that I am one of the best BW's out there
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