As a former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver knows what it takes to get to the upper echelon of the sport of MMA and he also knows what it takes to stay in that position.
Although he was a champ at 155lbs in the past, Pulver has always felt more comfortable in the featherweight division at 145lbs but finding a high profile spot that showcased the featherweights was few and far between.
Enter the WEC and featherweight champ Urijah Faber. The WEC recognized the force and marketability of Faber and when Zuffa purchased the company it was only a matter of time before the featherweight division really took off.
Pulver made the drop in weight and came to the WEC with an 8-0 record at featherweight. A quick victory over Cub Swanson put him in line for a crack at Faber’s title but after a five round war, Pulver was unable to dethrone the champ.
Now Pulver finds himself back on the road to the top and in his way stands another UFC 155er that turned to the 145lbs division in the WEC in Leonard Garcia.
In this MMANews.com exclusive, Pulver talks to Chris Howie about the fight with Faber, how he matches up with Garcia and what could be next with a win or loss.
Chris Howie of MMANews.com: How are you feeling going into this fight?
Jens Pulver: I feel good. I had some things I wanted to work on and I didn’t want any easy fight, that’s for damn sure. I’m happy to get in there and mix it up with a really tough opponent. I’m excited and looking forward to getting out there and utilizing things I’ve worked on since the last fight.
MMANews.com: How do you feel you match up with Leonard Garcia?
Jens Pulver: I feel I match up well but I feel I match up well with anybody at 145lbs. I’m not too worried about who they are. His conditioning is great but so is mine. I think he is looking to stand up and maybe use the ground if he needs to but more importantly he wants to dictate the pace. My job is to go out there and dictate where I want this fight.
MMANews.com: Do you feel the experience you bring to the ring or cage is a big factor in any of your fights?
Jens Pulver: I would say yes but the reality is that over the last few years it is like I’m the inexperienced guy. Be it just not having the training partners or not changing and getting a good game plan going. I’ve been just trying to do what I’ve got to do and spent too much time trying to counter what everyone else was doing and following their game rather than doing my game plan and ignoring what my opponent is after.
MMANews.com: What have you been doing differently for this fight?
Jens Pulver: One thing that has been different is that me and Pat (Militech) have been together a lot more. I’m still at the same gym and everything but I was training with the lighter guys and going through the motions. As long as I got in shape I really wasn’t worried about it and I left it up to the skills I already had. I had the attitude that it got me a world title once why can’t it again? Reality is, the sport is evolving and I’ve kind of been left in the dust. Right now I am trying to do that and change things up. Me and Pat have worked together more this time than ever before. I’m the old school guy staying at his gym and trying to work it all out.
MMANews.com: With a win does this put you right back in the title picture and possibly in line for another crack at Urijah Faber?
Jens Pulver: It’s a big one. Beating Leonard takes away the if and puts me right back in the front. He knocked out a number four ranked individual in his last fight. I’m just looking at this as a fight now though. Everything afterwards will play it’s self out. I’m not worried about it. I am here to go out and beat the opponent in front of me.
MMANews.com: Coming off the five round war with Faber, what did you feel you needed to work on when you got back to the gym?
Jens Pulver: The biggest thing was that I just walked forward and I’d allow him to evade me and I’d follow and follow and then BAM. He’d hit me. When I did get my combos in I did not capitalize. I thought way too much in that fight. I didn’t do it the way I was supposed to do it. He was faster and a lot more aggressive on his attacks.
MMANews.com: There have been talks that the WEC may start broadcasting on PPV and the focus will be the lighter weight classes. How big is that for you considering you have been such a pioneer for the lighter weights?
Jens Pulver: It’s very exciting. It’s one thing to have a home like we do now so that we can stay busy and make a living but by putting it on PPV it mean’s more money for the company which will mean more money for us. To be able to get that kind of money and fan support is huge. To headline those cards will also be important for the longevity of the weight class.
MMANews.com: What aspects of Garcia’s game do you feel you need to worry about?
Jens Pulver: Obviously his camp. He has had a strong camp and has been around training with a lot of other guys. He has been in the UFC so he’s had the lights and the crowds so that isn’t something that will bother him. He comes out hard and kicking hard because his conditioning isn’t a problem for him. He is a tough opponent.
MMANews.com: Garcia had some legal troubles earlier this year. With that behind him, do you feel his head is now in the right place?
Jens Pulver: Oh I know it will be in the right place. You don’t step in there with me if your head isn’t in the right place. No matter who I am fighting it is never an easy fight. A lot of fighters know me and know what I have done. Some of these guys grew up watching me. They know fighting me is a big thing so I usually get the best of everybody that I fight.
MMANews.com: How long do you feel you can be a top competitor in the sport?
Jens Pulver: Physically I feel great but it’s catching up with the sport that has been a problem. I don’t really worry about it. I can look back at my resume and be proud of what I did in the sport. My body is fine but it’s hard to keep up. The ideas are there but it’s rarely in my arsenal. I tend to fight one dimensional and it’s easy to map me out. That’s kind of where I’ve been stuck. But physically I feel great and I could still be here maybe five years down the road.
MMANews.com: Garcia has been quoted in the past as saying with a win against you the WEC has promised him a title shot, thoughts on that?
Jens Pulver: For sure. Fighting me, especially at 145lbs, I only have 1 loss in nine fights. I’m not a pushover and if he wants it he’s going to have to come out and get it. That’s the motivation and that’s why he is here. I suppose that if I win I’ll be right back there for a title shot to.
MMANews.com: What are your thoughts on the Faber and Mike Brown fight?
Jens Pulver: I like Mike Brown and I think he is strong and does a good job on the ground but I think after his fight with me, Faber will be a lot more well rounded because of the success of his stand up. Now he isn’t feeling the pressure of just going out and beating him on the ground, he can do it standing to. Brown is rugged and tough and a pit-bull when it comes to fighting but I see Faber being able to do it with the stand up.
MMANews.com: How do you see your fight with Garcia going?
Jens Pulver: The biggest thing is that I want to control it. Am I going to shoot in and try to take him down? Absolutely not. I’m more worried about my game plan and my strategies. I can go up or down. For me it’s about how I am attacking and where my aggression is.
MMANews.com: If you had to make a prediction for the fight, how do you see it ending?
Jens Pulver: If it goes the way I want it to go, it’s going to be a knock out. It’s going to be a hard three punch combo that stuns him and hurts him. If it goes to the ground I’ll go there but am I looking for am armbar? Naw. Will I try to finish him with punches? For sure.
MMANews.com: One final question, will be ever see Kid Yamamoto in the USA?
Jens Pulver: Maybe if we go PPV. Otherwise I don’t know. Theres no reason for him to fight at 155lbs. Even 45er’s are big for him. Without the right fight he won’t come over and we’ll have to go to his back yard and fight the jet lag to fight him.
MMANews.com: Alrighty Jens, thanks for taking the time to speak with me today. Good Luck
Jens Pulver: Thanks buddy.
