ZT Fight Skool, MMA Strength & Conditioning- Prowler

UCMMA 19 Fight report on PureMMA.com

From www.puremma.com

Oli Thompson crowned Heavyweight Champion at UCMMA 19.

An entertaining night of fights climaxed with a Heavyweight Championship fight between challenger Oli Thompson and champion Ben Smith, last night at The Troxy, London, for UCMMA 19: Light’s Out.

The action was thick and fast and up until the headliner only one fight had seen the second round.

The main event was the fight of the night, featuring Oli Thompson (8-2) from ZT Fight Skool challenging for Ben Smith’s (8-4) heavyweight crown.

Both men looked in incredible shape and they wasted no time to lock horns. After a few strikes on the feet, Oli took no time to execute his game plan and tied up Ben in a clinch and subsequently got a take down.

Ben was game. He scrambled back to his feet and landed some good punches on the feet. Oli stayed calm, completed a second takedown and won the round.

Cardio was always going to be the biggest factor if the fight went past the second round. Oli pulled off another takedown against the fence, landed some good solid strikes, including a crunching knee to the body and ended the fight with a rear choke. Ben Smith was out of a gas, Oli Thompson didn’t need the hooks in to complete the submission.

Oli Thompson improves every fight. His ground game was very impressive and he had complete control over Ben Smith.

After the fight both men agreed to a rematch, something the promoter Dave O’Donnell i’m sure would like too.

UCMMA 19: Oli Thompson Weigh-in and Press Conference.

Oli Thompson- Interview with PureMMA.com

Taken from PureMMA.com

Ultimate Challenge MMA (UCMMA) is primed for their 19th event: Lights Out, which takes place on 26th March at the Troxy in London.

Topping the card is a heavyweight championship showdown between Oli Thompson and Champion Ben Smith. The Ultimate Challenge Bantam Weight title is also on the line, for the second time in four months. Former British Judo champion, James Lutman will be defending his recent title against the undefeated and relentlessly aggressive, Giorgio Andrews

Oli Thompson is one of the brightest heavyweight prospects in British MMA. Thompson (6-2) lives in East Sussex and trains primarily out of the ZT Fight Skool in Eastbourne. He played Rugby Union at English county level and was crowned Britain’s Strongest Man in 2006.

We catch up with Oli as he prepares to fight for UCMMA’s heavyweight belt, currently around the waist of Ben Smith:

PureMMA.com: How did you first get into MMA?
Oli Thompson: I got into MMA after I decided to retire from Strongman after ‘World’s Strongest Man 2008′. I decided that I was going to stop while I was still out in West Virginia. My best friend Tolly (1st generation bjj) Plested had always been telling me stories about grappling, wrestling etc and it sounded like something I thought I could do, so I began training with him in Jan ’09.

PureMMA: Who are you biggest influences in MMA?
Oli: I look up to the guys that are so well rounded, that can do it all, have speed, power and can fight in every area… eg GSP, Frankie Edgar.

PureMMA: How does training for an MMA fight compare to training for a Strongman competition?
Oli: The training is totally different, both have to be the toughest sports in the world, Strongman training I would just train so hard every day to the point where I feel like I am falling apart. With MMA training I can apply the same hard work but it’s more intelligent, and there is so much to work on. I go home still thinking about aspects of my technique, so its non stop.

PureMMA: What has been your favourite fight (you’ve been in)?
Oli: I guess it has to be the ZT Tournament final with Rob Broughton, not because of my performance but because it was fun to go in with the UK no1 and go 15 mins after we had both already fought twice that night.

PureMMA: What do you see as your biggest strengths as a fighter?
Oli: I train very hard to be a complete fighter that can take the fight on my feet, the ground or wherever.

PureMMA: Do you think your strongman background has helped your MMA game/skills?
Oli: The main benifit would be the work ethic, and winning mentality, also many of the Strongman events are now used as part of top MMA fighters conditioning.

PureMMA:  How was your experience with Bisping and the Wolfslair gym? And how have they helped you train for the Ben Smith fight?
Oli: Was a great experience and am hoping to make a few more trips ASAP. Getting rounds in with Mike, Kongo etc def. raised my levels and confidence.

PureMMA: How do you see the fight at UCMMA 19 against Ben Smith playing out?
Oli: We usually fight in a fairly similar way, I will need to showcase my full range of skills to bring the belt home and thats what I will do. Don’t miss this fight!

PureMMA: What’s next after this fight?
Oli: 26th March is all that matters.

PureMMA: Who would you like to thank for preparation for this fight?
Oli: Thanks to 1st Generation BJJ, ZT Fight Skool, Combat Ready Training, I Am Senshi, Cherry Active and everyone else who has helped out.

PureMMA would like to thank Oli for taking the time out of his training for this interview and to HaloPRfor hooking us up.

Oli Thompson- Ready for War at UCMMA!

Now in his final week of training, Oli Thompson has peaked just right for his bout this weekend. He faces Big Ben Smith for the UCMMA Heavyweight title and looks better than ever. Boasting the cardio abilities most Middleweights would be envious of, Oli has been chewing up the Cardio-phase of his training with relentless fashion.

Working closely with Christian Vila from Combat Ready Training for the last 12 weeks, this has been the most perfect training camp to date, allowing them to focus on each individual aspect of Oli's training, working through increasing unreal Strength and astonishing Power. 

CRT can report Oli is injury-free and fitter than he has ever been. His opponant faces an athlete unlike he has ever faced before.

Despite his large frame (115kg/ 253lbs), Oli is able to complete 6-minute long cardio circuits over and over;  each one looking as fresh as his first. In sparring, Oli has been excelling in the "Shark Tank" where he takes on a fresh sparring partner several times in a 5-minute round.

The training has been merciless, taken to levels where most people would pull out, but Oli's physical and mental resilience enables him to continue and even ask for more!

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