Sky High-An Interview with UFC’s Stefan Struve
In the final days before the bout, Struve spoke with NBCSports.com about his past, co-main event matchup, and the future.
MMA Beat
By Mike Chiappetta
NBCSports.com
updated 3:24 p.m. ET Feb. 14, 2012
New York - Stefan Struve entered the UFC just one month removed from his 21st birthday. At the time, it seemed like the octagon’s bright lights were too much, too soon for the 6-foot-11 “Skyscraper,” as he was knocked out by Junior dos Santos in the first round of his debut. But Struve has rebounded nicely from the early setback, and he’s captured three of his last four fights overall to become a factor in the heavyweight division.
With a win over Dave Herman at Wednesday’s UFC on FUEL event, Struve could silence the one knock against him, as he’s struggled against rugged strikers.
In the final days before the bout, Struve spoke with NBCSports.com about his past, co-main event matchup, and the future.
Q: You’ve been in the UFC for a few years. Has that helped the sport grow in Holland?
A: For sure. And also, Alistair Overeem’s fight in the UFC with Brock Lesnar helped. And recently, Michael Kuiper, so we’re starting to get more Dutch people into the UFC. The video game helped a lot, too. A lot of kids are playing that game and it’s starting to become more familiar.
Q: How would much would it help if Overeem wins the UFC heavyweight championship?
A: That’s why I hope he wins the title. For Holland, it would be a huge boost. If something like that happens, it will be big for the country.
Q: Was Overeem an influence on your early career?
A: When he was fighting around 2004 when I made my debut as a fighter, he fought a teammate of mine. So I was watching his fights. He was starting to get a couple fights in PRIDE, too. I think around that time was when he fought Chuck Liddell. So I was always watching his fights, but I never trained with him.
Q: Were there any fighters that you did emulate?
A: My brother always took home the DVDs from PRIDE, so I was always watching Wanderlei Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Fedor Emelianenko. And movies of my own trainer, Bob Schrijber. Those guys were big influences on my starting days.
Q: How is the sport received in Holland?
A: To be honest, in the last year the government has given some troubles to the kickboxing and fighting events. They think the big kickboxing events are a good place for criminals to come together and talk about things. It’s really stupid the way they think about it. They don’t even take a closer look at the sport and it’s athletes. They look at it as criminals. But the sport is getting bigger and bigger in Holland, and hopefully it keeps on getting bigger and the government isn’t a big factor in slowing it down because they do block events here.
Q: So if you and Overeem become bigger stars around the world, that might help?
A: Hopefully. We’ll see.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the division now? If you win on the 15th, you will have won four out of five.
A: I think I’m doing really good, and I think I’m around the top 10 right now.
Q: You came into the UFC a few years ago weighing about 235-240 pounds. You’re now around 265. Is this the first time you’ll have to cut weight.
A: I think so. I’m not training a lot in Nebraska in the days to come. Especially in the week I’m there I’m not training hard. So maybe I’ll add a couple pounds. So maybe I’ll have to cut a pound or so. But in the year to come, for sure I’ll have to be cutting weight.
Q: Is there any concern adding the weight will hurt your speed or stamina?
A: I’m really working really hard on adding weight in a good way. To keep my athleticism and get bigger in a good way. I need to keep my speed and make sure there are no disadvantages. My strength training is adjusted to that.
Q: For a time it seemed like wrestlers were taking over the division, with Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez & Shane Carwin. but now it’s like Overeem and Junior dos Santos are on top. Do you think the division is shifting back to strikers?
A: Yeah, for sure. When you got good takedown defense like Dos Santos has, and you add in his striking ... His striking is the best in the world right now. You can’t get much better than him with hands. So it’s a matter of style matchups. And anything can happen in fight. It’s just the way somebody feels in a training camp or even the day of the fight. Anything can happen at any given time. But that combination is tough.
Q: What are your thoughts on facing Dave Herman?
A: He’s a good fighter with a good record. He’s got a lot of wins over decent guys. His last fight [against Jon Olav Einemo] was cool to see but there was a lot of sloppy standup involved in the fight. I’ve been working really hard on my standup since I entered the UFC with my reach and balance. I think I’ve improved a lot, and it will be a factor in the fight. He’s got good power in his game but there’s also a lot of holes.
Q: You said you believe you’re right around the top 10. Who would you want to fight next assuming you win?
A: To be honest, I really don’t know. I always look from fight to fight. I’m facing Dave Herman, a really good opponent. I’m only looking forward to that fight and a couple weeks of rest.
Q: So how is this fight with Herman going to end?
A: I never do predictions because anything can happen, but I always go for a finish. That’s what the people can expect: for me to go for a finish. And him, too. He’s got a great record with a lot of finishes.
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