All hyperbole aside, what we’re left with here for the Austinite is perhaps the biggest fight of his young career against hometown favorite Chase “Prison Stare” Hackett – an opponent who will be going into Saturday night’s fight on the strength of a two-fight win streak with both coming by way of submission.
As for Schindler, he too is coming off a win this past January against Japan’s Yoshiaki Takahashi at G1 Fights – Sovereign Valor. It was a victory that snapped a two-fight losing skid while fighting for Bellator. Motivated as ever to prove himself worthy of top billing and a spot in the UFC one day soon, he’ll be looking to extend that streak to two at the expense of his hometown hero opponent.
We recently caught up with Adam to get his thoughts on his Fight to Win main event fight against Hackett coming up at the end of this week.
Interview – Adam Schindler (Austin Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu)
Adam, how are you feeling heading into your fight this Saturday?
You’ll be fighting a hometown favorite in Chase Hackett, who we hear is pretty popular up there. Does that affect you at all?
No, this isn’t the first time I’ve fought a hometown guy. I’m sure it won’t be the last. Actually in all 3 previous title fights I’ve been in the guys’ hometown, and I’m 3-0. I see nothing different about this time around.
What are your thoughts on Hackett as an opponent? What do you need to do to beat him?
Honestly, I think he’s good at everything. A jack of all trades, if you will. He’s got height on me but that is the only advantage I see. If it is even an advantage, I don’t mind fighting taller guys. I think I’m going to be better in all aspects.
You’re going into this one with a super impressive performance over Yoshiaki Takahashi in your last fight. Many people thought that win would put you right back into the big leagues but it took a while before you got another opportunity. Why do you think that is?
I don’t know really. Bellator liked to call me last minute to take fights so I wasn’t about to do that again and nothing else ever really came through. I was signed with a major management company but getting all my own fights and sponsors (along with B3). If it wasn’t for me being proactive I may have not fought at all this year. You gotta hunt that stuff down and get whatever opportunity is best for you. That being said, I’ve got things lined up for a while now! *pats self on back*
What type of statement are you planning to make with this fight?
I’m not sure if any other statement needs to be made. I’m going to go in there and dominate every aspect of this fight. People have bumps in the road sometimes, and I’m just going to further prove that my bumps are smoothed out and I’m climbing that ladder to the UFC.
Any plans on fighting back in Texas anytime soon? Has it been hard for you to get fights here also?
Yes, actually I have a fight in mind coming up in Texas hopefully this summer sometime. I love fighting in Texas and I really look forward to it once it’s a done deal.
What’s next for Adam Schindler?
FTW Lightweight champ is immediately next. After that I’m looking to move back to FW and gnaw my way into the big show. If it takes everything I have. If I have to stand on Joe Silva & Dana’s front porch for 3 weeks like the guy in fight club. 2012 is going to be a year of good things to come.
Any last words or anyone you want to thank before your fight this Saturday in Denver for the F2W lightweight title?
I want to thank Duel Athletics for their sponsorship and Fight to Win for the opportunity. Everyone that has helped me get ready at Austin Muay Thai, Gracie Humaitá Austin, B3 sports, Proformance Guards and especially Don Post and John Bird for helping me out on my trip to Denver to get acclimated. Also, May 19th is my 29th Birthday so I’m going to get myself a nice shiny new belt for my collection.