"I go out there and just try to feel out my opponent. If I feel the clinch is there, I go for it and if it's not, I go for other tactics. I got a very wide range of strikes that I don't believe I've even got to show. If you actually look at my last 3 fights, minus the Swick fight, I have basically demolished my opponents in my opinion. I haven't had to utilize certain tactics; it really comes down to simplicity. If what I'm doing works, until you figure that out, I don't need to expand to other tactics. When things that I'm doing aren't working, I have to work around them. I gotta start pulling out the tricks...I'm not going to take him lightly at all. And at the same time dude, it doesn't matter who my opponent is because at the end of the day, I'm going to go out there and do my job and that's to put on a show and hopefully knock someone out and add someone to my highlight reel," stated UFC welterweight Ben Saunders as he talked about his upcoming clash with Jake Ellenberger at UFC 111. Check it out!
PC: How is training going for your fight against Jake Ellenberger?
BS: It's going awesome. I'm feeling good and I'm actually feeling really strong right now. My weight is good, cardio is doing real good and we might even be a little ahead of the schedule as far as trying to make sure I peak at the right time. I'm looking forward to it.
PC: We hear a lot about how big of a welterweight Anthony Johnson is. You're not a small guy. Is this a tough cut for you?
BS: No. Honestly man, I probably walk around at 186-187. I got a very fast metabolism and when I'm actually training in a training camp, it falls off. I also enjoy eating healthy. I wouldn't even necessarily say it's dieting for me because I try to eat clean. It's never really a problem. Sometimes I have to actually maintain weight. I try to eat more calories because I burn fat like crazy.
PC: I know the Swick loss was a very disappointing loss for you. How important was it for you to look impressive against Marcus Davis, which of course you did?
BS: Ah, dude, it was my #1 priority. Not to just go out there, but to prove a point. Anybody that watches that Swick fight to study a fight with me is just wasting their time in my opinion. There is not much to look at other than I was stupid, threw a lazy outside leg kick and he capitalized on it. I don't see that happening again anytime soon and that's going to be a problem for people.
PC: You went from Martin Kampmann, which is a little bit of a higher profile fight for you, to Jake Ellenberger, who is very dangerous. How do you switch gears to prepare for Ellenberger?
BS: Not much at all. My mentality and gameplan is always the same. I was a striker from the beginning and for the most part, I see a lot of people, when they deal with my striking, go for the clinch or a takedown. If you succeed in getting the takedown, you can be submitted or stand back up. I was under the impression that Kampmann was going to try to take me down as well. It sucks because his name was top 10. If I would have beat Kampmann, I would have probably been put into the top 10. Now I get a very tough opponent in Jake Ellenberger and it sucks because he's as tough as Kampmann, but he just doesn't have the name recognition to back it up as far as a win over him goes. But hey, I look at him in the same light as Marcus Davis in the sense that he's never been knocked out either, and that's definitely a goal of mine.
PC: It almost seems as though your Muay Thai is still catching people by surprise. Do you think your clinch game is still kind of looked over by your opponents?
BS: I would say the biggest thing is my style is so unorthodox, man. Yeah, I incorporate Muay Thai in there, but dude, I have a very unorthodox style. I don't fight the same way. I am a firm believer in Bruce Lee's saying and that's "Be like water." You have to flow out there. For every opponent and for every circumstance and how you're feeling with reaction time, it's going to call for a different technique or different move to try to pull off or accomplish at that time. I go out there and just try to feel out my opponent. If I feel the clinch is there, I go for it and if it's not, I go for other tactics. I got a very wide range of strikes that I don't believe I've even got to show. If you actually look at my last 3 fights, minus the Swick fight, I have basically demolished my opponents in my opinion. I haven't had to utilize certain tactics; it really comes down to simplicity. If what I'm doing works, until you figure that out, I don't need to expand to other tactics. When things that I'm doing aren't working, I have to work around them. I gotta start pulling out the tricks.
PC: Are you still full-time at ATT?
BS: Oh yeah! I'm definitely still representing American Top Team man!
PC: I still have Jake undefeated in the UFC. I had him beating Carlos Condit. How do you view him as a fighter and what do you feel are his biggest strengths?
BS: I think his biggest strengths are probably going to be his toughness and his mentality. He's not the most complete wrestler, but he has wrestling credentials. He seems to be very good at takedowns and ground and pound. His standup ain't bad either man. He comes forward and he comes with bombs; very heavy hands. He doesn't look ridiculously crisp with his striking. It looks more like he's a brawler and he's able to utilize that to get you in a clinch, pin you against the cage or get the takedown. Bottom line, man, is I think he's legit. He hasn't fought a top 10, but I definitely think he can beat a top 10. I'm looking forward to it man.
PC: You still seem equally as pumped for this fight. I remember speaking to Kampmann after Swick was forced to pull out of that fight and I could tell he was a little disappointed in having to fight Paul Daley. Is this something that you mentally had to do, stay equally as pumped?
BS: No man. The way I look at it, and I personally know who he is and I know a lot of people don't know him yet, but I'm right with you. I watched the fight with Condit and he took that fight on short notice and if it wasn't for a little gassing, that was a close fight. He really gave it to Condit, so just off of that fight alone, man, he earned a lot of respect from me. I'm not going to take him lightly at all. And at the same time dude, it doesn't matter who my opponent is because at the end of the day, I'm going to go out there and do my job and that's to put on a show and hopefully knock someone out and add someone to my highlight reel.
PC: It's been an impressive highlight reel so far in your career. I appreciate your time. Good luck against Jake at 111. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
BS: I just want everybody to know that they can check me out at www.facebook.com/jkdwarrior or www.twitter.com/bensaundersufc. I want to thank American Top Team and thank you for your time.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]