dimitri
09-01-2008, 16:58
Exclusive: Wand talks to GRACIEMAG.com (http://www.graciemag.com/news/144/ARTICLE/9095/2008-01-08.html)
GM - How do you break down your UFC-return fight?
Wand - The battle itself was a victory for me, as I managed to do what I like, which is to fight well and be tested. I held out against some good strikes, managed to throw some blows, I got two knockdowns and lost by a small margin. I saw that, with the new circumstances I have faced here, of putting together a new team and all, I'm really close to finding my best performance. I'll go to Brazil now to rest and reunite with my family, to put the longing aside, and then I plan to do some muay thai training in Holland, I met Ernesto Hoost in Vegas and he seems like a great guy, besides being a champion needing no introduction.
GM - In the very first trade of the fight, nearly a minute after you two studied each other, the crowd was brought to its feet: when you dropped back against the fence, before the first trading of blows, was that on purpose to start off the spectacle?
Wand - He got me with two good punches there, I could have closed the distance and gone for his legs, but at the time I was not too confidant, as I hadn't trained too much wrestling. So I pulled back to get some breathing room and wait for him to bring it on, even knowing that it would take seconds. It was good because the crowd likes that, I know I can go back and win with that type of showing and that's what I want, to show victorious style and for the fans to have fun. I want to help the sport grow without changing that in me.
GM - What do you think you did wrong?
Wand - I could have kicked more. And after the fight I was left with the impression that I could have taken him down, his base is good but not impossible to deal with as they say. But now they're talking about another fight between us two, and I want to fight him again, this year.
GM - They're now talking about Lyoto Machida versus Tito Ortiz. Did you see Lyoto's fight? Do you have a prediction?
Wand - It was curious that we arrived there in the gymnasium, already filled and sensational, and I thought the event would start a little later, so there were only two fights till I would go in. So the adrenaline started pumping and I started to warm up. So during Lyoto's fight I was warming up, but I watched it later, he really gave it to the guy, in his hands he makes the guys seem easy. And Tito is a guy that wears out, it would be a big upgrade for Lyoto. He is a great athlete, and certainly has a chance of getting the under 93kg belt. Another one I'd put my money on is Shogun. That wasn't him that lost to Forrest Griffin in 2007, he was injured. He's a guy who's beaten the toughest around, and I believe he'll bring it all on. This will be Shogun's year.
GM - How do you break down your UFC-return fight?
Wand - The battle itself was a victory for me, as I managed to do what I like, which is to fight well and be tested. I held out against some good strikes, managed to throw some blows, I got two knockdowns and lost by a small margin. I saw that, with the new circumstances I have faced here, of putting together a new team and all, I'm really close to finding my best performance. I'll go to Brazil now to rest and reunite with my family, to put the longing aside, and then I plan to do some muay thai training in Holland, I met Ernesto Hoost in Vegas and he seems like a great guy, besides being a champion needing no introduction.
GM - In the very first trade of the fight, nearly a minute after you two studied each other, the crowd was brought to its feet: when you dropped back against the fence, before the first trading of blows, was that on purpose to start off the spectacle?
Wand - He got me with two good punches there, I could have closed the distance and gone for his legs, but at the time I was not too confidant, as I hadn't trained too much wrestling. So I pulled back to get some breathing room and wait for him to bring it on, even knowing that it would take seconds. It was good because the crowd likes that, I know I can go back and win with that type of showing and that's what I want, to show victorious style and for the fans to have fun. I want to help the sport grow without changing that in me.
GM - What do you think you did wrong?
Wand - I could have kicked more. And after the fight I was left with the impression that I could have taken him down, his base is good but not impossible to deal with as they say. But now they're talking about another fight between us two, and I want to fight him again, this year.
GM - They're now talking about Lyoto Machida versus Tito Ortiz. Did you see Lyoto's fight? Do you have a prediction?
Wand - It was curious that we arrived there in the gymnasium, already filled and sensational, and I thought the event would start a little later, so there were only two fights till I would go in. So the adrenaline started pumping and I started to warm up. So during Lyoto's fight I was warming up, but I watched it later, he really gave it to the guy, in his hands he makes the guys seem easy. And Tito is a guy that wears out, it would be a big upgrade for Lyoto. He is a great athlete, and certainly has a chance of getting the under 93kg belt. Another one I'd put my money on is Shogun. That wasn't him that lost to Forrest Griffin in 2007, he was injured. He's a guy who's beaten the toughest around, and I believe he'll bring it all on. This will be Shogun's year.