UFC Fight Night 13, one of the most anticipated Fight Night events in UFC’s history, can not come soon enough! From elite strikers, grapplers, brawlers, to ground & pound and jiu jitsu experts, the explosions are guaranteed to go off throughout the night. Stacked with top talent, this fight card may very well be bigger than many of UFC’s Saturday night Pay Per View events. With this exciting night just a few days away, I caught up with one of UFC’s intense seasoned grapplers Kurt “Batman” Pellegrino (17-3) as he prepares to face off against the recent Ultimate Fighter series winner Nate Diaz (8-2) on Wed. April 2 Live on Spike TV.
Jason Bradford: First of all I want to thank you, Kurt, for taking the time to chat with me, and giving me some insight on what’s going on in your world, as you prepare to fight at UFC Fight Night 13.
Jason Bradford: How do you feel as you prepare for your up and coming fight?
Kurt Pellegrino: Good 100%. I’ve been training since beating Alberto Crane, this is probably the best condition I’m ever going to be. This is the best shape I’ve ever been in!
Jason Bradford: Speaking of training, can you tell me who has inspired you or influenced you to push yourself, creating the fighter you are today?
Kurt Pellegrino: Really “myself” just wanting to win. I look up to Dan Henderson, he’s one of my favorite fighters. I try to emulate his game plan just being a good wrestler with striking. If I can end up like Henderson that would be awesome, and if I can carve my name into the game getting people to fight like me, that would be cool too!
Jason Bradford: In your experience how much of the fight game is mental opposed to physical?
Kurt Pellegrino: I think the whole fight game is mental. You know when a fighter walks in there, scared and intimidated, that’s how the other fighter wins! When people fight Nate Diaz or Nick Diaz, they intimidate the other fighter so much, that fighter doesn’t fight his fight. I,ve been wrestling and fighting for years. Going up against bigger and stronger guys for years. I’m not intimidated, and I’m not going to be spooked, so I really think it’s all mental. It’s just going in there and doing what you want to do and not what the wants you to do.
Jason Bradford: UFC Fight Night 13 is slammed full of talent, with MMA fans saying it’s one most exciting fight cards ever. How does it feel to be on that card and placed in that category?
Kurt Pellegrino: It feels good. Thank God I’m fighting for the UFC the greatest fight organization in the world. They did a great job once again. I don’t really look at how good the fight card is, if it was just me and Nate Diaz fighting with no one else, I would still get in there and do my job, but it is an awesome card, thanks to UFC and Joe Silva.
Jason Bradford: Your up and coming opponent, Nate Diaz winner of the Ultimate Fighter series, with getting massive exposure and becoming a very popular fighter with the newer fans of MMA. Do you feel as a seasoned vet not getting that kind of exposure, that you have to work and push harder to get your name out there?
Kurt Pellegrino: I’m going to fight whether or not people want to see it on TV or not. I love the fans and I think the fans really want to see me fight. The UFC has aired 3 of my fights. I’m really looking forward to just keep fighting for the UFC, and the fans recognize my talents so thats why I’m fighting in the UFC. Once I get past Nate the fans are going to see me more and more.
Jason Bradford: Along the same lines, with the Ultimate Fighter show gaining so much popularity, and the newer fighters getting so much exposure, the newer fans automatically think these guys are some of the best fighters out there. Which they are very talented, but the fans are not seeing as much of the veteran fighters, which are the best fighters out there. Do you feel you have something to prove since you are fighting the winner of the Ultimate Fighter?
Kurt Pellegrino: People watch that show, then go to some of the fighter polls online and I think I am only like voted 33% chance to win this fight. Which I find is funny, because everyone is voteing for him because he is a household name. That’s o:k with me. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone, but myself! I just have to go out there and prove to myself that I belong here, in the cage with Nate Diaz. You know he has to prove that he belongs in the cage with me too. I’m going out there to win for myself and my family before I fight for someone else.
Jason Bradford: You’re styles are somewhat similar, you guys both stand and bang for a while , then look for the take down. Is there any area that you feel you have a distinctive advantage over Nate Diaz?
Kurt Pellegrino: I definitely have an advantage in the wrestling. I have an advantage in that,whoever I fight. My wrestling is real strong. My base on top is really good. It will be the best he’s ever fought. I don’t think there is a fighter that he has fought that is better than me. If he beats me, I will raise his hand up after the fight, take the mic from Joe Rogan and say this kid is for real.
Kurt Pelligrino: You know there is no hard feelings against Nate. He is a good kid. I like his brother Nick to . They are both cool cats, and hopefully after the fight we can go and have a couple of drinks and laugh about punching each other in the face.
Jason Bradford: On the other side of the coin do you feel he has any advantage over you?
Kurt Pellegrino: Only that he is a south paw. He is long and lanky, where I am short and stocky. That’s the only miss match and I will figure it out. Like I said if he beats me, he beat the guy who was definitely prepared to fight him.
Jason Bradford: One of your ex-training partners, “Hermes Franca” beat Nate Diaz in the WEC a few years back. Does that experience give you a little insight on the type of fighter, and how tough he is?
Kurt Pellegrino: I think Nate beat him up pretty bad with strikes. To be honest Hermes didn’t really train hard for that fight, and still squeaked out a good victory. It was still a great fight, and Nate did a great job. Hermes was a huge veteran, so he was better rounded. Nate did a great job, it’s still a huge accomplishment. I thought Nate was winning until Hermes caught him. It just shows me how tough this kid really is. It’s going to be a tough fight, so hopefully I will end this night with my hand raised too!
Jason Bradford: Any special training for this fight?
Kurt Pellegrino: Cardio…All Cardio.
Jason Bradford: What is your prediction, when the octagon gate closes and your faced with Nate Diaz?
Kurt Pellegrino: My hand raised at the end of the fight. I’m not looking for a K:O, or fight of the night. I just want to be victorious.
Jason Bradford: Is there any other fight at UFC Fight Night 13 you are interested in watching?
Kurt Pellegrino: I am really looking forward to seeing one of my best friends “Frankie Edgar” we grew up together in New Jersey. I really want to see him fight , and hopefully he does well. I’m really rooting for him.
Jason Bradford: Anyone else that is getting a lot of hype, that you want to test your skills against?
Kurt Pellegrino: No, not really. I’m just really focused on winning this fight!
Jason Bradford: Also in you weight division there is the B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk title fight. Any predictions?
Kurt Pellegrino: Both fighters are great. Who ever wins is going to be a great Champ. I’m not looking forward to fighting eitherr of them if I have to.
Jason Bradford: Who has been your toughest opponent?
Kurt Pellegrino: Myself! Everyday I train to beat myself, pushing myself to the highest level. I did it for this fight, and after this fight I will take a little break just to breath. I really killed myself, pushing my body to extremes, so after Nate I need a little bit of a break. If I come that day to play, I really don’t think there is any one out there who can beat me!
Jason Bradford: Once again thank you for taking the time to speak to me, and sharing some insight for your fans. I want to wish you good luck in your fight. I look forward to talking with again, Thanks!
Kurt Pellegrino: Thank you!
This is a fight you do not want to miss. It airs live on Spike TV on Wednesday, April 2nd. Good luck Kurt!
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