| DreamFighters Exclusive interview with Robert Sothmann Posted on: Thu 27-Mar-2008 |
 -  -  DreamFighters.com: Hi Robert, thank you for taking the time to speak to us. No trouble at all, I'm thrilled that someone gives a bottom feeder like me the time of day. :) Formal intro- My name is Robert Sothmann. I'm a Canadian who lives in SHanghai. I compete in the ART of WAR promotion based in Beijing. (AOW is the only org left that allows elbows as well as knees to head of downed opponent, stomps, soccer kicks etc) I've got 2 professional fights under my belt so far and a record of 1-1. First fight was a forfeiture ( corner threw the towel as I was getting owned right away) and the second was victory via tapout from strikes. I fought at 90kgs but will be dropping down to 84kgs(185lbs) for the next contest. I walk around at about 92kg(201lbs?) day to day. DreamFighters.com: How is training going? Any fights coming up? RS- Nothing concrete at the moment so I am somewhat undermotivated these days. Just concentrating on weight management and strength maintenance. Going to start including a very structured stretching and flexibilty program soon. :) DreamFighters.com: Who are you training with/at right now? RS- There is no professional fighters gym in Shanghai right now so I have to be a bit creative and flexible. For example, if there are smaller guys with good technique to roll with, I'll use more finesse and less power so that it becomes a battle of technique. If there are big guys I'll use brawn and get a workout... I have a few striking coaches/trainers/training partners, Mario Mazzocca, Olivier Falcoz, and Sonny Ristic are the core of my striking regimen. They all own me standing up and they all have wildly different styles so it's good for me. Overall I am not composed enough to be an effective striker yet..sure IF I can get a right hand loose it's a cannon, but I have no clue when to unload. *hahaha* THey will fix that issue though, I am sure. DreamFighters.com: Our readers love to know what a pro fighter does every day in terms of training, can you please run us through a normal trianing day? RS- I think the term semi pro is a better one for me. I by no means make a living off of fighting ( I don't think any MMA fighters in China do), so my day is not devoted to training. I usually do 2-3 hours of light training 3 days a week and 3 days of weights. As soon as I know that there is a fight scheduled I will change my regimen and my training partners to suit. The weights disappear, the intensity doubles and the training partners are only those who are better than me and /or bigger in whatever area we are training. DreamFighters.com: What do you think of the new fight org DREAM that has just started up? RS- I'm stoked. I would love for some of us (fighters in the PRC) to make our way over to DREAM. With the gaping hole that Pride left in the Japanese MMA scene when it folded, it's so good to see DREAM appear as a new version. Hopefully it will be even better. DreamFighters.com: What are your plans for fighting in the near future? RS- I am not that experienced and I am old for a rookie, so this was never a career move. It's just something that I am interested in and that I always had a natural ability in, specifically grappling. I will be forming and managing a team based in Shanghai in the near future. I think Shanghai is the perfect venue to create greater awareness of MMA in China, and would be a great place to run a proper team from. DreamFighters.com: A fan favorite - Who is your favorite fighter? RS- ouch! so many to choose from. I am a huge fan, not just a fighter. I'd have to say a few guys right now could be my faves ok?... Anderson Silva. He's exciting, so dynamic and polite after he kicks your ass. Even the guys he K.O.'s love him. He's a threat from every position inside the cage. GSP- brilliant fighter and his star is still rising...plus he's born in the same city as me, Montreal. He is like Silva, hard to find real weaknesses, and supremely likeable. Rampage- funny as hell and just so physically capable that every time he learns a small technique it has huge impact on his fights. Most charismatic champ I've seen in a while as well. Frank Shamrock- really cerebral fighter. I think he may come across as pompous until people take a closer look at what he says, and his technical ability. He's a 'digital fighter in an analog sport'! These guys are ones that I look to for inspiration when watching vids. DreamFighters.com: Well, its been great talking with you Robert, best of luch at your next fight! Robert: No Problem. BTW, I'd like to thank Adam for the interview, www.dreamfighters.com and all my training partners for kicking my butt into semi pro shape! :) |
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