WEC 30 Preview: ''Razor'' Rob ready for Crunkilton, also an interview with the WEC LW champ

by Matt Kaplan 8/20/2007 11:17:00 AM

“Razor” Rob McCullough vs. Rich “Cleat” Crunkilton
(WEC Lightweight Championship match)
Interview with ''Razor'' Rob McCullough is here... done by our very own Matt Kaplan from Kodiak MMA.

“Razor” Rob McCullough and Rich “Cleat” Crunkilton are two top lightweights who have stopped all of their WEC opponents and boast unblemished records in the WEC. Both will ride into this match on multi-year win streaks, one of which will unfortunately come to an end.

Look for this fight to be an exciting one. By his own admission, WEC lightweight champ “Razor” Rob McCullough gets “pissed off” when fans boo a lack of action, and says that when he fights, he gets “in there to have fun and entertain people, as well as kick the shit out of someone.” That’s what I like to hear.

In Rich “Cleat” Crunkilton, McCullough faces a very tough guy. In his only loss (to Hermes Franca back in 2003), Crunkilton was in an arm bar late in the final round that actually dislocated his elbow. Crunkilton let out a scream that reached the rafters, but he refused to tap.

Overall, Crunkilton is a sound wrestler who has demonstrated very sound takedowns, solid submission defense, and a punishing ground-and pound game, especially from the guard. In his most recent match, Crunkilton faced Mike Joy, whose three victories up to that point had all come via submission. Nonetheless, Crunkilton seemed to have no trouble taking his opponent down and punishing him from just about every position on the ground.

Crunkilton did not, however, look very strong or confident exchanging with Joy on their feet, and instead opted for the takedown. Ironically enough, Crunkilton finished off a very game, very aggressive Mike Joy after landing a Round 3 kick to Joy’s solar plexus – his only kick of the fight - gaining side control, and securing a d’arce choke for the submission win.

After watching Joy-Crunkilton, two things about Crunkilton’s game are of concern as he heads into a fight with “Razor” Rob: 1) On several occasions (especially at the start of each round), Joy tagged Crunkilton, whose hands were noticeably low, with some solid punches. Keep your hands low against “Razor” Rob, and you’ll be scraping your jaw off the canvas. 2) Though Crunkilton maintained dominant position throughout against Joy, the action was stood up four times, as Crunkilton seemed content to pound away at a tiring Joy and did not seem too eager to pass Joy’s guard.

If Crunkilton can put his ground-and-pound to work against “Razor” Rob, he’s in a good place. If the action is repeatedly being stood up, then he’s only going back to “Razor” Rob’s world, which could be a problem.

Nonetheless, Crunkilton seems very confident heading into the lightweight championship at WEC 30: “McCullough is a good striker, but that is all he brings to the cage. I’ve waited a long time to get recognized as one of the top lightweights in the world, and September 5 is finally my opportunity to show the world that I’m the best there is in the 155-pound division.”

To “Razor” Rob, though, this fight is business as usual. I asked him in an interview a few weeks back how preparation for the very dangerous, very undefeated Rick Crunkilton was going. His answer? “I’ve been doing a lot of ninja training, blind folded. I hear it really works wonders.”

The WEC lightweight champ and five-time World Muay Thai champ has made a name for himself by dismantling the opposition with vicious punches, kicks, knees, elbows, whatever else is lying around. In fact, not only has “Razor” Rob stopped all of his opponents since joining the WEC, but he’s finished them all with strikes. And for this match, the champ is looking to make no exception: “I come to knock every challenger out, and Rich is going to come right after me. That’s why this fight is something fans don’t want to miss, because I’m going to keep my belt with a big knockout.”

“Razor” Rob captured the WEC lightweight belt after punishing fellow kickboxing champ Kit Cope back at WEC 25 in January. The fight didn’t last long (Round 1 TKO), but “Razor” Rob, like Crunkilton, demonstrated good submission defense, pounding his way past attempts by Cope at a gogoplata and an ankle lock. “Razor” Rob is a supremely conditioned athlete whose relentless attack – both on the ground and on the feet – are a tall order for just about any lightweight.

Of the two athletes, “Razor” Rob is the stronger, more explosive, but if Crunkilton can weather the storm of “Razor” Rob’s strikes – which not many have been able to do – and control the champ on the ground, he’s got a good shot at becoming the next WEC lightweight title holder. If, however, he drops his hands like he did against Mike Joy and gives “Razor” Rob room to launch his arsenal of Muay Thai attacks, it’ll be a rough night for him.

Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver vs. Cub Swanson

Jens Pulver, the UFC’s first ever lightweight champion, is making his highly-anticipated WEC debut against Cub Swanson in what many expect to produce the next challenger for WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber.

Dropping down to 145 lbs for this match – and most likely for good – is the Miletich-trained Pulver, who suffered two stoppages losses at 155 lbs. in the UFC (KO’d by Joe Lauzon; choked out by BJ Penn). Jens has fought seven times at or below 145, scoring 6 KOs and 1 submission, so I expect a much better showing from featherweight Jens.

Those who are picking Jens in this fight are most likely doing so with expectations of a KO or TKO, which I can understand. For a guy his size, he packs a monster of a punch and has recorded wins as a professional boxer. Keep in mind, though, that Jens lives and dies by the KO; 13 of his 21 wins have come by knockout, but so have 5 of his 8 losses.

“I can’t wait to put my skills on display in the WEC. Cub Swanson is a tough opponent, and I plan on showing why my nickname is ‘Lil Evil’ by delivering a performance fans will remember,” an always smiling Jens promised.

Across the cage from Jens will be a very tough, very athletic Cub Swanson, who acknowledges Jens’ place in MMA history but remains focused on reaching the top of the WEC featherweight heap: “Jens was a great MMA star and one of the game’s legends, but my time is now. Everybody knows both of us come to fight, but ‘Lil Evil’ is gonna run into a bigger evil in Cub Swanson. I’m going to show the world why I’m the best featherweight in the WEC with a knockout over Jens.”

A knockout over Jens? That’s right, folks. I’m surprised any time I hear that someone actually wants to trade punches with Jens, so I asked Cub about it in a recent interview. His answer was pretty simple: “I feel that the people want to see me knock him out, so that's the plan.” Cub says that he’ll look to take the fight with Jens to the ground “just to mix it up” but feels that the only way he’ll get respect is to stand and bang with Jens. I can’t wait for this fight!

Jens may be the more powerful puncher of the two, but momentum is certainly on the side of Cub Swanson, a jiu-jitsu brown belt with Muay Thai training who lost his first pro fight in 2004 and has since rattled off 11 consecutive wins. Most recently, Cub faced the very tough Micah Miller, against whom Cub exhibited excellent submission defense, as well as fast, strong hands that fly in dangerous combinations.

Cub Swanson is young and hungry and realizes that a win over Jens will make him “a household name.” Cub’s eyes are firmly set on the WEC featherweight championship, but standing in his way is the sprawl-and-brawl master himself, Jens Pulver. Are Jens’ best days in the rear view mirror, or can the legend’s trademark sprawl-and-brawl stop the younger, faster Cub Swanson?

Chase Beebe vs. Rani Yahya
(WEC Bantamweight Championship match)

In addition to the WEC lightweight belt being up for grabs at WEC 30, so too will the bantamweight belt, as champion Chase Beebe and Rani Yahya are scheduled to get it on for 135-pound supremacy.

Chase Beebe is a four-time Illinois high-school state champion wrestler, who – despite earning 9 submission wins in 11 of his pro wins – lists “knockout” as his favorite technique. I haven’t seen too many of Beebe’s fights (only 2 to be exact), but as you might expect, he’s very aggressive on the ground and has a knack for finishing off his opponent with the rear naked choke.

“Rani is an impressive fighter with great grappling skills. I don’t care if I beat him by knockout or with a submission, no one is taking the title away from me,” Chase guaranteed.

“Great” may very well be the apex of understatement when describing Yahya’s fight game. The 22-year-old Rickson Gracie Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is a three-time World Brazilian jiu-jitsu champ and the 2007 Abu Dhabi world champion. Making matters worse for Chase is the fact that Yahya is dropping down from bantamweight for this fight and should be very strong at 135 lbs.

Against a tough, well-rounded Mark Hominick at WEC 28, Yahya needed just over a minute to choke out the Team Tompkins product in the very first round. Not surprising at all, considering his jiu-jitsu skills. What worried me a bit was how Yahya shot in on Hominick almost desperately. He practically dove in and his shots came with virtually zero set-up. As a result, Hominick was able to sting Yahya with some crisp punches. Yahya forged ahead and eventually got the takedown and the submission win, but I’ll be looking to see if Yahya how Yahya sets up his takedowns in this fight.

“Beebe is an impressive wrestler, but my submissions will be too much for him to handle. I’m not leaving the cage without the belt wrapped around my waist,” said Yahya, and I tend to agree.

If, however, Yahya dives in on Beebe like he did against Hominick, Beebe needs to capitalize on this and punish Yahya with punches. As I said earlier, Beebe loves going for the KO, so that will probably be his best bet in defeating Yahya. Then again, Yahya has never been TKO’d or KO’d, so this could be a tough night for the champ.

When more fights for the WEC 30 card are confirmed, I'll get back to you. Until then, make a note to tune in for all the WEC 30 action on September 5 at 9 PM ET on the Versus Channel.

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Tags: wec 30, jens pulver, cub swanson, rob mccullough, richard crunkilton, chase beebe, rani yahya

An Interview with Cub Swanson, WEC featherweight contender

by Matt Kaplan 8/19/2007 4:42:00 PM

Kodiak MMA: First of all, I’d like to thank you for making time to talk with us for a bit. Before we get to your upcoming fight with Little Evil, I want to congratulate you on your most recent win – and a dominating one – against Micah Miller. There seemed to be some real bad blood there before the match. Was there?

Cub Swanson: There wasn't any bad blood. We just both really felt we were the better fighter. I wish him the best.

Kodiak MMA: How are preparations going for your September 5 fight against Jens Pulver?

Cub Swanson: It's going great! I'm in good shape and I couldn't have prepared better.

Kodiak MMA: You and Jens have both fought at lightweight and featherweight, and you both have some vicious punching power. How do you think this fight is going to be decided?

Cub Swanson: It's going to end with me winning by any means possible.

Kodiak MMA: You’ve gone on record as saying that you’d take the fight to the ground “just to mix it up,” but that standing and banging with Jens is the only way you feel you’ll get respect. Talk a little more about this, especially since you’re a much more dangerous submission fighter than Jens has proven to be.

Cub Swanson: I feel that the people want to see me knock him out, so that's the plan.

Kodiak MMA: Six of your 11 pro wins have come in the very first round. Are you looking to make it an early night against Jens?

Cub Swanson: Of course! Train hard fight easy.

Kodiak MMA: A lot of fans who might not be too familiar with the WEC featherweight division have been talking about Pulver vs. Faber for the featherweight belt ever since Jens announced he planned to drop down to 145. Does this type of stuff put a little more fire in your belly to get the win?

Cub Swanson: No, that kind of stuff makes me smile. I know where I stand.

Kodiak MMA: Where do you feel that a win over Jens Pulver will put you in terms of the featherweight championship? Has the WEC promised or suggested anything?

Cub Swanson: They haven't said anything about that. I just know this win is gonna make me a household name.

Kodiak MMA: What does it mean to be a part of an organization like WEC, which has been putting out some great cards lately (on free TV!!!) and is gaining a reputation for its abundance of exciting, young talent?

Cub Swanson: It's what I've been waiting for. I don't want to jump from show to show. I want a home to build a throne in!

Kodiak MMA: By the way, how did the nickname “Cub” come to be?

Cub Swanson: My brother called me Cub when I was an infant and it stuck. It feels more like my real name.

Kodiak MMA: Which fighters do you enjoy watching most?

Cub Swanson: I enjoy watching my friends and training partners fight because it's more emotional.

Kodiak MMA: We’ve come to the part of the program where I mention someone or something, and you give me your thoughts. Let’s do it.

Urijah Faber: Soon

Kid Yamamoto: M.I.A.

Razor Rob vs. Cleat Crunkilton: Hopefully a bang'er.

In a year from now, Cub Swanson will be ________: The Champ!!!

Kodiak MMA: Cub, thanks again for your time, and I wish you the best against Jens. Before we tap out, is there anything you’d like to fans to check out?

Cub Swanson: Check out cubswanson.com and thanks for rooting for me. Thanks, Tapout, Strapped Inc., MMA Fanatics, Tagg Radio, OC Muay Thai, CSW.

This interview was conducted by Matt Kaplan from Kodiak MMA and is a contribution to MMA-analyst.com. Check out his blog!

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WEC 30 | Cub Swanson | Interviews

An Interview with Nick Serra, the CFC Welterweight Champ

by Matt Kaplan 8/19/2007 12:22:00 AM

Note: When Nick showed up to meet me last night at one of his academies, he was well prepared for any photo opportunities that have may presented themselves. Luckily, something told me to grab my camera before leaving the house. I've posted below some of the pictures I took of Nick, his Cage Fury Fighting Championship belt, his Mad Monkey mask, his light sabre, his sword (Sting), and his invisibility ring.

But don't let the monkey business and the Middle Earth jewelry fool you. Nick Serra is a supremely talented martial artist whose playful fantasy-world references belie a fierce competitive spirit and an unyielding devotion to his friends, his family, and his master, Renzo Gracie. Most important, what Nick Serra may not have in size and strength, he more than makes up for with, as he says, "balls and technique." Enjoy.

Kodiak MMA: First off, congratulations on your recent victory over Mike Varner to become the CFFC welterweight champ. Varner had been talking a lot of shit about NY/NJ people, particularly the fight fans. Did that give you a little extra juice heading into that fight?

Nick Serra: Well, this ugly creature had been challenging me for over a year, so I was very happy to achieve victory over such an ugly Orc from Mordor.

Kodiak MMA: I've always felt that throwing the bananas into the crowd as you make your way to the cage was a nice touch. Any concern that the whole idea of excited fight fans with bananas might backfire on you?

Nick Serra: Occasionally we have my fellow monkey brothers who throw the bananas back at me.

Kodiak MMA: Any idea when and against whom you’ll be making your first CFFC title defense?

Nick Serra: Just like my older brother Matt, I’ll fight whoever they put in front of me. Actually, I would like to fight Karo Parisyan because I always wanted to fight Count Dracula.

Kodiak MMA: Maybe NABC Welterweight Champion Tamdan McCrory in a unification bout?

Nick Serra: I’ll fight anyone they put against me.

Kodiak MMA: You weighed in against Mike Varner at 165. You came in at 162 for Benji Radach. Any thought of going down to 155?

Nick Serra: That would be the normal thing to do, not like these morons like Matt Hughes cutting whatever they cut – it’s ridiculous – and then ballooning up the next day and winning like that. I don’t know, maybe it’s a lack of balls they have. I’ve never fought anyone my own weight, always heavier, and my balls and my technique get me through.

Kodiak MMA: Let’s talk Kimbo Slice for a minute. He’s listed as being 31 years old. How old is he really?

Nick Serra: I don’t know. He looks older. I’ve got good genetics from my Roman ancestors, so I lucked out. Him -- I don’t know hold old he is. I don’t think anyone knows.

Kodiak MMA: You and your brother are both currently hold championship belts. The Emelianenkos, the Ruas, the Shamrocks – they don’t share that distinction. What has the recent success of you both done for your already popular Brazilian jiu-jitsu academies?

Nick Serra: The madness spreads, and I like that because that means that there are more loyal soldiers dressed up in monkey masks throwing bananas at me when I go fight.

Kodiak MMA: Anyone at the academy we should be keeping an eye out for?

Nick Serra: Everyone knows Pete “Drago” Sell, Luke “The Silent Assassin” Cummo. I named him "The Silent Assassin" because he’s very silent and he assassinates everyone he fights. He’s kind of a weirdo, but he’d my kind of weirdo.

Kodiak MMA: Luke Cummo and I discussed at some length his unique diet, Lifefood. Has he managed to turn you on to any of it?

Nick Serra: No! He was going to make me some pasta at one point, but then he kind of drank some weird stuff, so I said “Luke, you don’t have to make that for me.”

Kodiak MMA: What kind of weird stuff was he drinking?

Nick Serra: Uh…I think it was, uh…

Kodiak MMA: Got it. Have you been working at all with Luke and Pete “Drago” Sell for their upcoming UFC fights on September 19?

Nick Serra: Almost every day, and their skills are going up every day, their jiu-jitsu. They’re both going to be doing some crazy stuff.

Kodiak MMA: Your brother Matt was married back in May. Which, if any, MMA fighters were in attendance for the champ’s big day? I only ask because I thought of crashing but then thought of the ass-kicking I might get, and ultimately decided to stay put on my couch.

Nick Serra: Din Thomas apologized on the air for not making it, but there were a lot of tough guys there – Luke, Drago, James Gabert, our top black belt Tom Muller.

Kodiak MMA: Did you make a speech?

Nick Serra: I did. I tried to leave Mordor and the Shire out of it, but I did mention when Charlie found the golden ticket, and I did mention It’s a Wonderful Life.

Kodiak MMA: Other than Matt, which mixed martial artists do you most enjoy watching?

Nick Serra: Myself and Renzo.

Kodiak MMA: That's it?

Nick Serra: That's it.

Kodiak MMA: We’ve come to that part of the program in which I mention someone or something, and you tell me whatever comes to mind. Honesty is encouraged. Ready?

Matt Hughes: Dick

Renzo Gracie: Master

Orcs (the enemy foot soldiers): The battle for Mordor is never complete and I wind up fighting a lot of ugly orcs these days, so you always have to be ready to use your Mad Monkey superpowers.

Dana White: He’s nice to me; he’s nice to all of us.

Ray Longo: Ray is one of our mentors, and he’s nuts like the rest of us.

Rodney Dangerfield gave his best performance in _______: That’s a tough one. I love Back to School, and I love Easy Money. I love all of his movies. I’m one of his biggest fans, but I’m going to have to go with Easy Money.

Kodiak MMA: It’s a Friday night on beautiful Long Island. What does the mad Monkey have planned for later on?

Nick Serra: I’m going to roll around a little bit, do some Mad Monkey mounts on the mat, and then I’m going to see the movie Superbad. That looks like a nice movie to bring my fellow freaks to.

(I went with Nick and a few of the guys from the Serra academy to see Superbad. Very funny, very quotable.)

Kodiak MMA: Nick, I appreciate your time, and I look forward to seeing you back in the cage some time soon. Before we tap out, is there anything you’d like fans to check out?

Nick Serra: Check out our web site, and you’ll see more stuff about my brother and me, our fighters, my master Renzo Gracie, and the best stand-up/cardio coach, Ray Longo. Mad Monkey over and out!

This interview was conducted by Matt Kaplan from Kodiak MMA and is a contribution to MMA-analyst.com.