MMA’s Full 38’ 01.30.08: Title Contender Drew Fickett Exclusive

Posted by Sid Needelman on 01.30.2008

With a record of 31-5, Drew Fickett is no stranger to MMA. With fights against Karo Parisyan, Josh Koshcheck and Nick Diaz, he definitely has fought a “who’s who” in the Mixed Martial Arts world. March 29th he is up against Jake Shields for the Elite XC Welterweight Title. Here is 411mania's exclusive interview.

DREW FICKETT interview

Conducted by none other than the always insightful Jon Gorajski


With a record of 31-5, Drew Fickett is no stranger to MMA. With fights against Karo Parisyan, Josh Koshcheck and Nick Diaz, he definitely has fought a "who's who" in the Mixed Martial Arts world. Coming up on March 29th he is going to facing off against Top Ranked Jake Shields for the first ever Welterweight Title in the Elite XC. Between training sessions, Drew was kind enough to give 411mania.com a few minutes of his time to brush us up on what's going on with his life.



411mania.com: How is your training going for you right now?

DREW FICKETT: Its going great, I'm all over the place. I train with a couple guys that people don't hear a lot about, I'll go to Albuquerque and I'll even go to Florida with Kurt Pellegrino to train. What a lot of people don't know is that the way I train is pretty extensive. I even keep 12 oz weights around my wrists that I wear all the time; I keep them on all day. Outside of training I have a training partner named Chris "The Rompin' Redneck" Brock. He will wait for me to be dog-tired after training and start fighting with me in the living room. He keeps me ready; he's bringing me to "Warrior Status."

411mania.com: You have a fight coming up with Elite XC/Strike-force. Can you tell me about it?

DREW FICKETT: Yeah it's going to up against Jake Shields for the Welterweight title on March 29th.

411mania.com: How is your mindset in your preparation for this fight?

DREW FICKETT: Basically I'm going in there like any other fight. I'm gonna go in there to destroy someone. I'm gonna go in there and show him I'm the real deal. I'm ready for this fight, I'm coming in crushing. I've been around this sport for most of my life, almost 10 years now. Started off in rage in the cage in Tucson, was fighting out of barns. Now I'm coming with the strength of "La Raza!"




411mania.com: Great, how is your current contract with the Elite XC?

DREW FICKETT: Yeah they are taking care of me, I'm very happy with them and life is good. They are doing big things with me.

411mania.com: Looking at your record you have accomplished yourself pretty well. 31-5 with your losses to some name fighters. With 36 pro-bouts, who would you say was your toughest battle?

DREW FICKETT: That's tough to say but I'd my toughest fight had to definitely be Dennis Hallman, which went to a split decision. He broke my arm during the fight. He's still a cool dude, though.

411mania.com: Are there any fights you wish you can take back or do over?

DREW FICKETT: All my losses I wish I could do over. Fighting to me is a way of life. It's me vs. them- to the death. It's the art of battle. It's more than beating someone's ass, when you get in the ring that's how you know what your true colors are. If I had to mention a fighter I obviously would like to fight Josh Burkman again, I feel like I can come back and do something's with him. I was not in a good mindset at that last time we fought and I'd do that one again.


411mania.com: Are there any opponents right now in any division you would like to fight, maybe someone you have not fought yet?

DREW FICKETT: You know I would like to see BJ Penn come back in to the welterweight division. I would love to fight BJ Penn!

411mania.com: How would you describe yourself as a fighter?

DREW FICKETT: I consider myself an all around fighter but I like to work the submissions. They work the best for me. I take peoples back and make them submit. It works! Also I have no problem going toe to toe with someone but submissions are working well for me.


411mania.com: Are there any sponsors you would like to thank?

DREW FICKETT: I love all my sponsors, they take care of me. They know I love them. I don't want to mention any because I'll forget one but they know who they are. I also wanna thank my friends and my girlfriend they help me out a lot.

411mania.com: Ok Drew, thanks again for your time and good luck on your fight with Jake Shields.



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And for those of you wondering what is MMA's Full 38' An octagon is 30 ft across with 4 feet extra on each side, for cornermen, doctors and camera crew. To know MMA, sometimes one needs to make sure they cover some of the lesser know aspects of it, and 38' represents a number a lot of hardcore fans would not recognize. But be warned, do not try to set up an arena without knowing how big the octagon really is, or there will be problems.
Sid Needelman