Warriors of MMA – Hi Jimi, thanks for taking time out to answer these questions and congratulations on defending your UCMMA light heavyweight belt against Shaun Lomas. When and who are you fighting next?
Jimi Manuwa – I’m fighting Valentino Petrescu on the next UCMMA ‘Never Back Down’ main event on May 8th.
Warriors of MMA – How has your preparation been for your upcoming title defence, and are you training harder with anything specific?
Jimi Manuwa – Preparation has been going well. A few injuries here and there but nothing serious. I had my nose cauterized last week cos I suffered from nose bleeds which hindered my sparring, but its all fixed now.
Warriors of MMA – I heard you done some training at Team Rough House recently. How was it and who did you train with?
Jimi Manuwa – I was at roughhouse a couple of weeks ago with my mate Paul Semtex Daley. Roughhouse is a good team of fighters and they all push each other just like all the other teams out there. They don’t do any thing much different from what I’m doing, but are mostly all on a good level. I learnt a few good moves off Semtex boxing wise and Judo Jimmy Wallhead and Nick Osipczak, so yeah it was a good stay for me.
Warriors of MMA – What do you know about your opponent Valentino Petrescu, and how do you see the fight going?
Jimi Manuwa – Valentino Petrescu is a very dangerous opponent and a threat to my crown. He is good with his hands and deadly kicks and good on the floor as well and I’m taking him seriously. He KO’d the No. 1 a couple of years ago so in my eyes he is No. 1. But I only see the fight going 1 way….. Posterboy the lion king retaining his title.
Warriors of MMA – How do you see yourself progressing in MMA in the years to come?
Jimi Manuwa – My intentions are to fight in america next as I have a contract waiting for me but I have immigration issues which I will be sorting out soon, so I will be going there in the near future. I also got offered to fight in a DREAM tournament but had to turn it down for the same reason.
Warriors of MMA – If you could fight anyone in any organisation right now, who would it be and why?
Jimi Manuwa – There’s not anyone in particular I would like to fight, I just want to take each fight as it comes and stay undefeated till I get to the top of the world.
Warriors of MMA – Hows life outside of MMA and training?
Jimi Manuwa – Life outside fighting and training is quite short as I train full time. I have little time between sessions but I try to spend as much time with my daughters as possible. I call them my little cubs. I live, sleep and do this fighting thing. Even at night I’m thinking of moves and positions. This is my life.
Warriors of MMA – Thanks for your time. Are there any shout outs to sponsors or anything you would like to say to your fans?
Jimi Manuwa – I wanna thank god for guiding me, my family and all my coaches. Alan Keddle, Dino Miringou, Ricardo Da Silva (novaforca), Joe Mac (team 187), and all my sparring partners who train with me day in, day out. Thanks.
Warriors of MMA – Thanks again. Make sure everyone follows the champ on twitter and leave your comments below.
