Kingdom MMA speak to George Sullivan after victory in his UFC debut against Mike Rhodes
by Ben Heather @benheather
Earlier today Kingdom MMA caught up with George "The Silencer" Sullivan to discuss his win at UFC on FOX 10 and his plans for the future now he is 1-0 in the UFC. Sullivan opened up the televised prelims against Mike Rhodes, who came in to the fight with a lot of hype but it was Sullivan who grinded out a unanimous decision victory on his UFC debut.
Ben: Firstly congratulations on picking up the win in your UFC debut.
Taking your fight at UFC on Fox 10 on short notice, how much weight did you have to lose before the weigh ins?
Sullivan: Thank you very much! Well, when we got the call I was 202lb but I was in shape so it came off very quick so by fight week we were about 16-18 over. We had a great cut other then the fact I was getting sick.
Ben: How was your fight day preparation and was it any different for this fight, or did you stick to the same routine you have used with all of your previous fights?
Sullivan: Fight day prep was the same as always, we have this down to a science and nothing changes. The cold and my sinus infection was bothering me but we battled through it and everything worked out.
Ben: Did you have any nerves on your walk to the Octagon knowing that your fight was being shown live on Fox Sports in the USA and around the world including BT Sports in the UK?
Sullivan: I definitely was more focused them normal. I felt more pressure but wasn't nervous at all. CFFC did an amazing job in showing me what big shows are like, granted no one is bigger than the UFC and it's simply amazing to fight for them. CFFC just gives you a taste and it really prepared me for my debut. Walking out was the greatest day of my life!
Ben: Have you had chance to watch the fight back? If so, how do you feel you performed?
Sullivan: I have yet to watch the fight, I'm going to watch it this weekend. I got the flu Sunday after the fight and have been very sick. I'm just now feeling better so I'll watch it while I'm healthy so I can really pay attention to details.
Ben: When it went to the judges scorecards were you at all worried that the decision wasn't going to go your way?
Sullivan: Yes, you're always worried but I knew I did more than he did and I also knew I pressed the action a lot more then he did. But before they called my name I was really stressing.
Ben: How did it feel to be announced as the winner of the fight?
Sullivan: No words to describe what I felt other than it was amazing to hear Bruce Buffer say that (his name as winner) was a dream come true and I can't wait to hear it again!!!!!!!
Ben: It seemed to me in the third and final round that you showed more heart and wanted the win more than Rhodes, do you feel that was the case?
Sullivan: Yes I do I still wanted to knock him out, I wanted to finish him. I was mad it went to a decision. I hate it, I finish fights. But I could see he was done in the third round for sure, he was tough though. I hit him hard a couple of times and he kept standing so hats off to him, true warrior. It was an honor to fight him.
Ben: Does the win feel sweeter knowing that in the build up to this fight a lot of the talk was about your opponent Mike Rhodes and not much about your skills as a fighter?
Sullivan: Just winning was sweet enough, I'm not bitter and I don't care what others think. My record and finishes speak for themselves. I'm not really sure why he was so hyped but it did feel good to prove them all wrong.
Ben: Do you feel Rhodes may have underestimated you going in to this fight?
Sullivan: Yes I do, like everyone else does. I can't tell u how many guys I beat and after they say damn I thought you would be weaker or damn u hit a lot harder than I thought. But you know what I love being underestimated.
Ben: did you come out of the fight with a clean bill of health?
Sullivan: Just a sinus infection and then the flu, Chicago beat me up lol. In the fight nothing though (I'm) 100 percent healthy.
Ben: Now lets look to the future, will you be going back to work your day job or will you commit more time to MMA?
Sullivan: I'm getting Married in May so I'll work when I'm not fighting and I'll still be training full time. When we sign a fight contract I will not be working, UFC comes first. My fans and myself deserve the best George Sullivan I can be and that requires me training full time. My next UFC fight will be my best fight camp ever as I won't be working at all. I can't wait to destroy someone.
Ben: when would you like to get back in the Octagon?
Sullivan: Soon, we just have to figure things out. As I said, I'm getting married in May so we haven't decided yet.
Ben: In just over a month the UFC returns to the UK, does fighting in the UK in the future appeal to you?
Sullivan: Yes I would love to fight in the UK, that would be sick :) My good friend, Bellator fighter Liam McGeary lives in the UK. I'm going to cross train with him so look forward to getting some UK training in.
Ben: Thank you for your time, would you like to say thank you to anyone?
Sullivan: Thanks for taking the time to ask me these questions, you guys rock. Thanks to Kurt Pellegrino, Dan Fischer and Dan Ocone for flying out for my fight and special thanks to Matt Jennings my strength and conditioning coach located in point pleasant NJ, you're the man I've never felt better. Also Thanks to Joe from www.njnutrishop.com.
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