Spencer Hewitt: 'It's Time to Show the World Who Spencer Hewitt is'

Spencer Hewitt Talks Cory Tait Ahead of UCMMA 33
By Chris Houten - @houts4thewin

This Saturday night from The Troxy, London, Spencer Hewitt takes on UCMMA Bantamweight Champion Cory Tait in the co-main event at UCMMA 33 in a rematch of their 2012 bout, a bout which Hewitt won by KO in just 10 seconds.

We caught up with Hewitt ahead of the fight to discuss how his preparations for the fight have gone, Taits skill set, and the possibility of a TUF 18 tryout. 

Chris: For those that don't really know Spencer Hewitt or might be checking out UCMMA for the first time on Saturday, can you tell us a little about yourself, and what the people can expect?
Hewitt: I am a MMA fighter out of MMA Terror Squad, I'm BJJ black belt with 10 years boxing I have good wrestling and Thai boxing -  I am a complete mma fighter, I come to finish fights by KO or sub. 

On Saturday your fighting Cory Tait at UCMMA 33, hows your preparation gone for the fight?
Very good, I've had a good camp. I've trained very  smart.

What's the strategy going into this fight, and has the game plan changed much since the first bout?
I'm keeping that close to my chest 

You openly said before the first fight against Tait you seen the KO there, do you see it there for the taking again, or do you think Tait maybe underestimated your striking the first time round?
The KO is still there for sure 

After the first fight against Tait, you joked you were scared to fight Tait, and was fighting on fear that night. How are your emotions feeling going into the rematch?
I am very excited and focused on taking the belt 

Being a decorated BJJ black belt, what do you think of Taits ground game?
His got a underestimated ground game, it's good, but It's not close to my level 

UCMMA 33 will be your first fight since the introduction of the new Safe MMA regulations. How are you finding the initiative so far?
I like it, it's a big step forward in safety off the fighters, it gives you peace off mind 

A little blue birdy tells me your trying out for TUF 18 in a few weeks?
Yes in Vegas I feel its my time to show the world who Spencer Hewitt Is i feel it's a good time i my career to git in to tuf 18 

Spencer, thanks for taking the time to talk to us today. Is their anyone you would like to thank out there ahead of your fight on Saturday?
Yes the universe for giving me talent and the opportunity I have, Elite MMA Agency, MMA Terror Squad, Origin MMA Academy, my team: Ross Hewitt, Jez Lord, Marc Walder, Dan Duckett, Lee Pearmean, and all the MMA fans that show the sport and fighters their love. 

You can follow Spencer Hewitt on Twitter - @hewittmma, Tickets for UCMMA 33 are still available here.

Ben Callum "Denniston is coming for my belt I've got to defend that"

Kingdom MMA chats to Ben Callum ahead of his first UCMMA title defence

by Ben Heather @benheather

Today I got the chance to have a chat with the UCMMA middleweight champion Ben Callum ahead of his first title defence on Saturday night at UCMMA 33. Callum will put his belt on the line when he fights Denniston Sutherland.

Thank you Ben from taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for Kingdom MMA, especially when you will be cutting weight today.

Ben: For those people who don't really know Ben Callum or may be checking out UCMMA for the first time on Saturday, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what people can expect to see on Saturday night?
Callum: Well i am a mixed martial artist who is a well rounded fighter but a prominent stand up up striker. I would definitely describe myself as being explosive.

Ben: I would definitely agree with the fact that you are explosive, the total combined time spent in the cage of your last three fights is 95 seconds and you won them all.
Ben: Do you always look to get in and back in the locker room as quick as possible rather than getting in to a three round war?
Callum: Yeah i do, I always train and prepare myself to go the distance but i don't get any overtime pay so the quicker i win the better it is for me.

Ben: You are now 5-1 as a MMA fighter with your only loss coming against current TUF 17 fighter Luke Barnatt. Do you feel you have learnt anything from this loss?
Callum: Yeah I do, I believe I learnt a hell of a lot from that loss. The way i see it, that was a great experience for me. After that fight I made a lot of changes to my game off the back of that loss and it has made me a better fighter.

Ben: Have you or would you be interested in applying to get on to a series of The Ultimate Fighter?
Callum: No I have never applied before but it is something i would definitely be interested in. I would love the opportunity and would love to apply if they did another series in the UK or anywhere I could afford to go.

Ben: On Saturday you are fighting Denniston Sutherland at UCMMA 33, how has your preparation gone ahead of this fight?
Callum: The preparation has gone really well, I have worked harder on specific areas of my game and I am very confident of all aspects going in to this fight.

Ben: Your opponent Sutherland has been on the UK scene for a long time and enters the fight with a lot of experience. Is this the biggest challenge of your career so far?
Callum: Yeah this is the biggest challenge, I have a lot of respect for Denniston and the UK MMA scene. He is coming for my belt and I've got to defend that.

Ben: Do you think Sutherland has any weaknesses you can exploit?
Callum: I wouldn't say Denniston has any weaknesses but what i will say is that I believe in my strengths.

Ben: You fought four times last year would you like to be as active again this year?
Callum: Yeah definitely if not more this year. I always want to stay active.

Ben: This will be the first title defence of your UCMMA Middleweight belt, has that put any added pressure on you going in to this fight?
Callum: No I am just taking this as another fight, every fight is the same to me. I have always treated every fight as if its a title fight so this is no different.

Ben: How much weight do you need to cut before weigh ins tomorrow and are things on schedule?
Callum: I have got 8lbs to go and so I am well on schedule. I am just relaxing and chilling out now if i was worried I would be working on the cut now. I will cut the remaining weight this evening then be ready to weigh in.

Ben: What weight do you walk around at between fights?
Callum: I between fights I can go up to 103kgs (227lbs)

Ben: Thank you for your time and answering all the questions for kingdomMMA.co.uk. Would you like to thank any training partners and sponsors?
Callum: God always comes first. Everyone at Team Titan, Bola Omoyele, everyone at Keddle's gym, Paul Dewberry, Jude Sammuel, Legacy BJJ, my strength and conditioning coach Andrew Marshall and Dynamic Fightwear.

Ben: Again thank you for your time and for speaking to kingdomMMA.co.uk and good luck this weekend at UCMMA 33.

Keep checking Kingdom MMA for the latest news on Ben Callum, UCMMA as well as all the latest news from the world of MMA.

Video: Cage Side - Dave O'Donnell Talks Sutherland vs Callum & Tait vs Hewitt

Cage Side with Dave O'Donnell

UCMMA 33 goes down on Saturday, with one of the most stacked cards in the promotion history, featuring no less than 4 title fights.

In the most recent episodes of Cage Side, Dave O'Donnell previews the main card of UCMMA 33 in only a way Dave can - if your not excite about this card after watching these video, you may wish to check your pulse.

Dave Talks - Ashleigh Grimshaw Vs Dan Walsh and Dave Lee Vs James Saville. Jamaine Facey, Jordan Wright and more



Dave Talks - Denniston Sutherland Vs Ben Callum and the rematch between Cory Tait Vs Spencer Hewitt



For More on UCMMA 33 stay tuned to the Calendar section on our site.

UCMMA 33 (Fightcard)

UCMMA 33
Date: April 6, 2013 18:30 GMT
The Troxy, London, UK

Fightcard
Denniston Sutherland vs Ben Callum - For The UCMMA Middleweight Title
Spencer Hewitt vs Cory Tait - For The UCMMA Bantamweight Title
David Lee vs Ashleigh Grimshaw - For The UCMMA Featherweight Title
Jordan Wright vs Jamaine Facey - For The UCMMA Lightweight UK1 Title
Carl Kingslow vs Ben Smith 
Scott Saward vs Chi Parry
Joe Cooper vs Curtis Widmer
Glenn Wright vs Karl Lawrence
Ben McGonigle vs Dom Plumb
Paul Styne vs Danny Lawson
Paul Attwood vs Bill Beaumont
Crace Spicer vs Charlotte Andrews