Current 135-lb Turf Wars Champion Hussein Ippo Hmood will face Brandon Seyler on Saturday, June 30 at Rocktagon MMA's Pro-Am Rock-n-Rage . He’ll look to add another belt to his collection as he fights for the Rocktagon championship. School of Fight interviewed Hmood just days before this exciting matchup.
SOF: First, congratulations on winning the Turf Wars championship. How did it feel to win your first belt?
Hussein: Thank you. Winning a belt as an amateur is one of the goals that I had but I still have a lot to do. I didn’t feel any different. The only time that I will feel differently is when I reach my real goal.
SOF: So what is your real goal?
Hussein: To be the number one fighter in the whole world.
SOF: Where did your nickname Ippo come from?
Hussein: The nickname Ippo comes from a cartoon, Hajime No Ippo, that I watch all the time. It’s an anime about a lightweight boxer that becomes one of the top in the world. It really gets me hyped up!
SOF: Has your training regimen changed since becoming a champion?
Hussein: I have always trained hard. I train harder after every fight because after each fight I figure out something new that I need to work on.
SOF: Tell us about your opponent and your next fight, June 30th?
Hussein: I don’t really know a lot about him but he is a wrestler. It’s gonna be a tough fight but I’m ready for it.
SOF: So what do you feel are the best tools to have when stepping into the cage?
Hussein:The best tools are to remain calm and fight the way I trained
SOF: How much longer before you turn pro?
Hussein: I don’t know but I know it’s going to be soon. Whenever my coaches think I’m ready then I’ll be ready.
SOF: When you’re not training or fighting, how do you relax?
Hussein: I like to stay busy. I like to be active. If I’m not training, I’m weightlifting and staying active.
SOF: If you become both the Rocktagon champion and Turf Wars champ, will you wear both belts at the same time?
Hussein: I wouldn't want to cover my six-pack but if it's because I'm wearing two belts, that's ok.
SOF: Anybody you want to thank?
Hussein: I would like to thank all my teammates. They are a second family to me. Without them I wouldn’t be where I’m at now. I love them all. I want to thank Paul Burns, Joe Miller, Nathan Combel, and Muhammad Ilyas. Those are my coaches. They are there for me whenever I need them. Team Vision mma forever. I’d also like to thank School of Fight for sponsoring me.
