FORT WORTH, TX, July 25, 2012 – Up next in pre-fight interviews for the upcoming Premier Fight Series 1 event being put on at the Fort Worth Convention Center this Saturday, we speak to Octagon MMA’s Quaint Kempf.
At 4-2 overall since starting as a pro in 2010 and with a lengthy amateur background before that, Quaint has been around the scene quite a bit. He’s also matured as it has, going from training in garages to his more structured surroundings at his current gym.
Now he’s banking on his success as a fighter to help support his ever-growing family, and working hard to achieve that.
Looking to come back from a severs MCL injury sustained in July of last year, he’ll take the cage against Van Vo this Saturday night on his quest to get back on the winning track and show that he’s a force to be reckoned with.
Here’s more on Quaint in advance of this Saturday’s event.
Interview – Quaint Kempf (Octagon MMA)
I’ve been training MMA non-stop for 6 years now. I started in a garage with five other friends who are all pros now. We trained hard and quickly built up a name for our fight team (Dallas Jawbreakers). We were just a bunch of tough guys that sparred hard every day but we all lacked technical training. After a few ammy fights I knew I was gonna have to up my training and get with a real gym and start learning. I started going to a couple of other gyms then finally found my home at Octagon MMA in Dallas. I’ve been here for three years now and i love it. My coach Sayif Saud has been a big MMA influence to me mentally and physically.
What’s your typical training day like?
I train 2-3 times a day. On Monday and Wednesday it’s twice a day and on Tuesday and Thursday it’s 3 times a day. I also train Friday and Saturday then rest on Sunday.
That’s a lot of work. How do you stay motivated to go through all the rigors?
I want to do well for my family – my wife Jamie kempf and my son Jordan Kempf. Me and my wife are expecting a beautiful little girl named London Kapri Kempf too. This fight will be dedicated to my new baby girl. That’s why I push through to make sure I’m at my best.
Also, I would have to say my uncle had been my biggest life mentor in everything i do as a man. He helps keep me focused on my fights and my family. He really keeps me calm and focused before every fight too.
What’s been your most memorable moment so far In MMA?
Definitely my most memorable part of my MMA career has been when I tried out for The Ultimate Fighter. I tried out in New Jersey then they sent me to Las Vegas to get licensed to fight in Nevada and have a second interview with the producers of the show. A couple of weeks after Vegas they called to tell me i missed it by one guy.
There were some other rough moments. About a week before my last fight I tore my MCL in training. My family and I really needed the money and I had already sold 250 tickets to the fight so I made a very bad decision to just tape it up good and fight. Well as soon as I shot in for a takedown my knee buckled all the way to the mat and tore even worse. At that point my leg was pretty much useless. It was tough. I will never fight again injured. The money and the time isn’t worth the loss that never goes away.
How are you feeling heading into this upcoming fight?
Man I feel great! I don’t think I’ve ever felt this good for a fight. I’m really peaking at the perfect time. I’m feeling great, been training hard every day at Octagon, also with my boxing coach Paulie Ayala, and doing strength and conditioning at West Plano Crossfit too.
What can fans expect when they see you fight this weekend?
I think I’m an explosive fighter who is aggressive. I don’t like wasting time stalling. We are in a cage fighting and i like to take it to my opponent fast and always looking to finish.
I plan on going into the fight and using my size and strength as an advantage. Just pressure my opponent until it breaks his will or he gives me an opening to end it.
What else can fans expect out of this event?
Premier Fight Series is doing a great job at promoting this event so you know they are gonna put on a good show. I’m looking forward to seeing Chas Skelly in the main event and also see my Octagon MMA training partner Andrew Parker do his thing.
What’s next for you after this? You’ve got another fight coming up don’t you?
Yeah, I will be looking for another win at the Legacy fights in Dallas. I know it’s right around the corner but I’m staying focused on one fight at a time.
Any last words before this Saturday?
I’m just happy to be blessed to be able to do what I love and have so much support from my friends, family, training partners, and sponsors. I wanna thanks Drop J deer ranch, Brown Trophy whitetails, Highrollers whitetails, Madera Bonita deer ranch, Backwoods deer ranch, Gforce whitetails, M&M whitetails, 7c’s deer ranch, Double R deer ranch, Kempf Complete Plumbing, Nutrishop Uptown, Maximize Living, Max Tan, Last Round Nutrition, Boost Mobile, and LND Demolition.