Photos: Mike Calimbas, Paul Erickson
Ahead of latest fight, Mike Bronzoulis aims to be the master of his own fight destiny
HOUSTON, TX, January 12, 2014 – After a year spent competing as part of Bellator’s flagship Fightmaster reality show in which he made it to the season finals as an unlikely underdog, Mike Bronzoulis is a man on a mission. The Houston-based fighter is no longer a Bellator fighter, but rather a free agent, a hitman-for-hire of sorts, if you will – looking to return back to his roots as the type of pro who will take on all comers if need be. That type of life a grind but something he’s willing to invest in if that’s what it takes to finally get into the UFC.
Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis begins his latest quest this coming Thursday, January 16th when he takes on Team Hostile Takeover’s Brandon Farran in the main event of Triple A MMA IV “Caged Hostility” at the Stockyards Rodeo in Fort Worth.
We caught up with “The Greek” today to discuss the upcoming fight:
TXMMA Interview – Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis
Mike Bronzoulis – I feel great. It feels great. I can take fights when I want for who I want and I plan on staying busy. Everybody knows I’ve always liked to stay active and fight as much as possible. If it were up to me I’d fight every weekend so I’m trying to line fights up and knock opponents down this year.
TXMMA.com – It sounds like you’re pretty motivated. What are you looking to accomplish in the near future?
Mike Bronzoulis – My goal is to be in the UFC this year. It’s a big goal and I know I’m going to need to go on a serious run so I definitely plan on making a bigger name for myself by fighting as much as I can and keep beating on that door until I force my way in. I’ll take a fight wherever I can and fight anybody, anywhere, anytime.
TXMMA.com – Looking ahead to your fight next week for Triple A in Fort Worth, you were supposed to fight Charles Byrd and now you’re fighting Brandon Farran. What happened there and what are your thoughts on it?
Mike Bronzoulis – Charles had to pull out for his own reasons and I understand that. It’s part of the business. I respect him as a fighter and wish him the best of luck. I appreciate Brandon Farran for stepping on short notice and fighting me. He’s a warrior who’ll fight anybody anytime so I give him a lot of credit.
TXMMA.com – How do you think this fight will shape up for the fans?
Mike Bronzoulis – You know I think fans are going to love this fight. When he (Farran) wins he doesn’t go to a decision. (Farran has only gone to the judges once in 19 fights) He likes to finish people. I’ve got over 20 fights and there’s only a few decisions in there for me too so I know that odds are this fight is going to end in a finish. I wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s the most exciting way to fight and I’m sure I speak for both of us when I say we want the fans to get their monies worth.
TXMMA.com – With the opponent change and everything else recently, how are you feeling mentally headed into this fight and this year?
Mike Bronzoulis – I’m more motivated than ever. I just turned 35 on Sunday and right now I feel better than I’ve ever felt in my entire life. It’s crazy but I feel like I’m a late bloomer in this sport. A lot of (other fighters) are retiring around my age but I feel like I’m just getting going. I got into MMA later, when I was 27 or 28, but since then I’ve just been getting better and better. I’m ready to go.
TXMMA.com – Any last words Mike?
Mike Bronzoulis – Just thanks to everyone for sticking by through all these years and appreciating my fighting style and spirit. There’s more to come and more to see so I’ll try to make everybody proud. There’s too many guys to name but thanks to all my training partners at Travis Tooke’s, Metro Fight Club, and Main Street Boxing Gym. Thanks to my sponsors also: Mark Thiessen, timelanefitness.com, Wu MMA Gear, Trapfighter, and Xpressbodywerks.com.