OttO raps with Pete Spratt - 4/13/2008

First off, would you like to give your thoughts and feelings about your upcoming fight on April 26th?

I am confident that I will put on a great performance on April 26th. I really don't know much about Von Flue other than he is a fellow TUF member, his ground game is good and that he has a nice technique named after him. I feel if I bring my A game I will do well in the fight and I am there to put on a great show for the VA fans.

What exactly led you to want to fight professionally in MMA?

I really didn't want to pursue a career in MMA. It just kind of fell into my lap. I was training Kenpo Karate, boxing and kickboxing while in college during the off season's to stay in shape for football. After not getting my shot with Buffalo, Philly or Washington I decided to give up football. I didn't want to play CFL or Arena ball so I gave it all up and decided to continue my education and be a graduate assistant at my Alma mater Southeastern Oklahoma State University. While coaching and training I had a couple of friends that were fighting professionally in MMA and I decided to give it a shot and I enjoyed it. This gave me an outlet to appease my appetite for contact and be a professional athlete and 9 years later it has become my way of life.

It is my understanding that on Oct.15th of last year, you received and achieved Brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt status under Rodrigo Pinheiro. What improvements and expansions have you made since then in training, and do you see your ground game as your area in need of the most improvement?

If you know my history, unmistakably my ground game is where I need to work and continue to improve. I am regarded as one of the top strikers in the business and that will always remain true. I was a bit stubborn and with all my years of football I had no desire to train BJJ extensively for any reason because I felt it would bother my joints. I have had knee, wrist, ankle, elbow, neck and shoulder problems in the past and didn't feel like BJJ would be good for me physically but I tried it just over a year ago and I love it. Some of my improvement would be my hip movement and submission defense. Rodrigo has been a major factor in me feeling rejuvenated with my career. Everyone will always have the same game plan with me and I will always try to knock people out!

Having asked that, what do you see as the strongest point of your overall game, at present?

It's no secret; my stand up skills are the strongest aspects of my game.

Would you care to comment on your fight with Ryan Ford? It is my understanding that some individuals feel like you got screwed in that fight. Are you among those displeased with the happenings leading to the overall outcome, that night?

I'm through giving those people publicity! I have moved on to bigger and better paying fights!

So, having a newborn in your life now, does it change or affect your previous training methods in any way?

My training has been affected major way. I used to have a set training schedule that started at 9 am Mon, Tues, Thurs and Friday which continued throughout the day. Now with a newborn at the house, I don't get any sleep because she's up all at hours of the night. I am still able to get 3 of my 5 daily workouts completed but it's tough. At the same time, what better reason for me to be in this situation. I have my second daughter!

What are your plans for the near future?

Well I have my fight April 26th. Then May 2nd - 7th I will be training one of my associates for his fight May 10th. On May 17th, I face Mark Weir in London. May 31st, I will be cornering one of my long time students for his pro debut. In June I plan on competing at the World No-GI championships in California and in July my manager tentatively has something on the table. Away from fighting, I am also playing in a celebrity benefit basketball game here in San Antonio, that's being hosted by former Kansas City Chief running back Priest Holmes. Robert Horry and Tony Parker are scheduled to be the team coaches. I have also landed several movie roles for 08. Right now, I have 5 movies I am scheduled to shoot and I my agent got me at least 2 songs per movie soundtrack. So I am working my butt off!

Do you see yourself ever fighting in the UFC again?

I anticipate being back in the UFC sometime this year!

Although it is well documented, but having probably watched yourself once or twice on TV, what are your current thoughts and feelings about your stay in the TUF house, and do you have any particular fond or foul memories of your time there?

I hated the isolation of being on the show! I did enjoy the experience, the training and the camaraderie of all the other vets in the house. I was able to establish relationships and lifelong friendships with my cast mates.

Do you have any quick diet or training secrets or even advice to give a young amateur fighter like me, and my readers alike?

Well, I am not much on the diet thing. I have always been able to pretty much eat whatever I want. Matt Serra hated me on the show because I was always eating twinkies and ice cream. The only secret I can give that really isn't a secret is work your cardio and the basics. Those are what I feel are key elements to any sports success. If you look at all the champions and all the great teams in pro sports you have to notice 2 things, they are in great physical condition and they have perfected the basics.

I was listening to your tunes on the net today, and I just had to ask one question before I let you go. You seem to balance a music career with your training, I myself am a multi-faceted musician, and I would like to know. Do you find it easy with all of your other responsibilities to just throw down beats or rock out now? It seems like you and Roy Jones Jr. make it look easy!

Actually I have found it easy as of late. I just get with my producers and tell them my ideas and what I want and they send me beats. Once I get them, I write my verses and head to the studio usually completing my verses in one take. They all hate because they can drop in one take but I have to manage my time wisely because I am so busy. Hey Otto, I would love to get some tracks from ya, I am always looking for new music. I like to step outside my box!

Well Pete, it has been a real pleasure to have you as my first interview here at MMA-Underground.com, all my best to you and yours, may your future be a prosperous one! Take care! OttO The S.B.A.

I appreciate it and thanks for your time and interest. Shouts to my fam and friends. My manager Sven Bean and my agent Josh Lopez and my biggest sponsor Bryan Hilliard and Renegade Fight Gear.com

Pete Spratt
www.therealpetespratt.com
www.RenegadeFightGear.com
www.ufc.com
www.n2dezigns.com
www.bluhouserecordings.com

Photos courtesy of therealpetespratt.com