Kingdom MMA: Exclusive interview with BAMMA Lightweight World Champion Rob C4 Sinclair
by Ben Heather
@benheatherOn Tuesday 2nd April 2013 BAMMA Lightweight World Champion Rob Sinclair (12-2 MMA) kindly took some time out of his busy schedule and road to recovery to answer some questions for KingdomMMA.co.uk.
Ben: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview for Kingdom MMA. It is very much appreciated.
Firstly congratulations on your recent news, how long now until you become a father again? I believe your partner is having a little boy, is this correct and will this be your first son?
Sinclair: Yep, it's a little boy, he's due August 12th so we are past half way now, I'm really excited to see him.Ben: Were you a fan of MMA before you started training?
Sinclair: To be honest not really, and the reason is I'd never even heard of it. I'd seen a clip on TV when I was partying with the boys in Greece but that's my only experience of it. Ben: When did you first start training?
Sinclair: I started training around 2006, previously I'd done a little Thai boxing but nothing competitive.Ben: Why did you start training MMA?
Sinclair: Mainly because my brother did, he got me to go training with him.Ben: Was there a particular fight that you had seen that made you want to get in to MMA?
Sinclair: No there was no particular fight, I went training with Bisping and he was the first person I saw fight live. Ben: Had you trained in any martial arts before you started training in MMA? Even if it was as a kid?
Sinclair: Like I say I did a little Thai boxing but nothing competitive, I was more into football to be honest.Ben: Did you ever have any amateur fights? or did you go straight to pro? If so what was your amateur record?
Sinclair: I had what was once called pro b class, which is strikes to the ground with the 4oz gloves on but no elbows. I lost a split decision and I won my 2nd fight then I went straight to pro.Ben: You now have a 12-2 MMA record with only 3 fights going the distance, do you pride yourself on the fact you put on exciting fights?
Sinclair: Yeah I guess so, I don't like going the distance and if you look at who i have gone the distance with it's pretty impressive. I'm 2-1 in decisions with the one loss by split decision, I like to get in and out, I really don't like to be in there longer than I have to be.Ben: One of your losses was against Paul Sass, however you are one of only two people to fight Sass to a decision before losing a split decision. Would you like a rematch to avenge that loss even though I believe you are team kaobon team mates now?
Sinclair: No the fight is gone now and we are friends. I wanted the rematch because I wasn't happy with my performance, but I lived and learnt through the experience and it's made me a better fighter now I believe. Ben: In your last fight against Andre Winner you went to the championship rounds for the first time and yet still proved you had the cardio to control the fight, against arguably your toughest opponent. How did you rate your performance in the last fight?
Sinclair: I was happy with it when I look back, Winner is a tough guy, great experience and a UFC vet. He was the number one in the UK of fighters outside the UFC, so I was happy. I maybe should of thrown more to try and get the finish but again each fight is a learning curve and Andre Winner doesn't lose many, so I'm happy I got the decision. Ben: The Andre Winner fight was the first main event on channel 5. How did it feel being honoured to main event such a big moment for BAMMA and British MMA?
Sinclair: Yeah it was a great sporting moment for me, and against such a creditable opponent. We could of probably put on an even greater fight if we would have had proper time to prepare. I know Andre had a knee Injury and I had a bad elbow injury, but it turned out to be a great night for TV, BAMMA and the fans. Ben: I believe you have just had the all clear following your injury and now returned to full training again, can you explain what injury you had and how it happened?
Sinclair: No I ain't had the all clear yet, I'm doing what I can. I can't run yet or wrestle, it's around 70% fixed thanks to Emma Fletcher and Dave Bell at Perform Centre. I was training at Full Contact Perform Centre in Rochdale and I was jumping on and off a box and my ankle just gave way. Ben: You have spoken on twitter about applying for TUF twice and not getting in? Would you apply again if they did another lightweights series?
Sinclair: Yeah I applied twice, I went to Vegas for TUF 14 I think and then the smashes try outs. I got to the last 10 on the smashes series, but that was it. If there was another? Hmmm maybe. Ben: Who would you like to fight next and when? do you think a fight against Curt Warburton will be your next fight and do you think he deserves a shot at your BAMMA World Championship belt?
Sinclair: Yeah it's gonna be Curt Warburton, I was supposed to fight him in march but this injury happened, so the fight didn't happen. I think he does deserve it, it will be a good fight. Ben: Other than Curt Warburton do you see many more challengers within the British MMA scene that you have not already beat, or do you think the next challenge may lie fighting for a big American organisation?
Sinclair: I don't know, there's some good up and comers. I just focus on 1 fight at a time and at the moment it's getting my ankle better then I'll look to Curt.Ben: Would you say you had any weaknesses inside the cage that you need to develop?
Sinclair: Weaknesses? Erm yeah definitely, but nobody has figured them out yet ;)Ben: I think the fact that you are the Bamma lightweight world champion and only do MMA part time is a great achievement. How much better do you think you could be if you trained full time?
Sinclair: You have no idea, I have no idea, the sky's the limit. I don't think my opponents realise how hard I can hit, or how strong I am, or how mentally willed I am. Imagine training full time, like a lot of my past opponents I've beaten. Ben: Recently BAMMA have started giving fighters exclusive contracts, is this the same for you and if so how many fights have you got left on your BAMMA contract?
Sinclair: I have 1 more fight on my current contract, then we will discuss another contract.Ben: If you could fight anywhere in the world where would it be?
Sinclair: Manchester M.E.N ArenaBen: As a fan do you have a favourite fighter?
Sinclair: Yeah I like Fedor and Chuck LiddellBen: If you could put together a fantasy fight who would you want to watch fight and why?
Sinclair: It's gonna have to be Anderson Silva vs Jon Jones, both are very dominant... Ben: Finally do you have any training partners, or sponsors that you would like to thank?
Sinclair: Yeah I'd like to thank my coach Gav Boardman and Dave Bell from Predators MMA and Perform Centre. Emma Fletcher my Physio, Bad Boy, Real Nutrition, Glenn Slater co, Smuggling Duds, Soulmate Foods, Funky Gums, fightshop.com, my brothers Mick and Lewis, my girlfriend and daughter Georgia and Pascha, my unborn baby boy and my family.Ben: Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you in the cage again fighting for BAMMA.
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