"Bitches Get Stitches" - An interview with Pat Schultz and Josh Diekman

How are you training for this fight?

Schultz: "We are doing all kinds of different things. I am up against a totally different opponent. I am not the strongest one anymore. I am not the bully in the ring. There is somebody else that is going to do that. I am trying to move my game around and get as smooth as possible. I have been working translating Muay Thai into MMA. I have been sparring with a lot of bigger guys at the gym. We are doing a lot of things with bringing things to the ground and the clinch because I know he is going to want to go to the ground, obviously. Diekman also wants to knock me out. Standing up is going to be exciting. But working with Florian and DellaGrotte has really helped me."
Diekman: "I pulled my groin recently so that kept me out of training for a while. But other than that I have been doing my usual training routines. I have also been losing weight so I will be down to 220."

Where did all the bad blood come from?

Schultz: "Every local show he always has an attitude. I don't want to put up with it. A long time ago he told me that he was coming for my 205 belt. He couldn't ever make 205. The kid is gaining weight by the second. I am concerned about his weight but at the same time I know that he has guys behind him that know what he is up to. He has to cut twenty pounds and I am going to use that to my advantage. I have really got to use my smarts and be as intelligent as possible against this guy."
Diekman: "I just don't like him. I will fight him for free. I hate this kid. I am sure he doesn't like me. But he wants to sell tickets and do this and that. Pat has a big mouth and he is disrespectful and I don't like that. All this kid does is walk around with his big white hat on and his little jump suit. Who the hell does he think he is? Who has the kid ever fought? Promoters hand pick guys and feed them to him because he sells all the tickets."

What is the game plan coming into this fight?

Schultz: "I am going to try and stand toe-to-toe with him to see if I can knock him out first. I am going to have my head high and exchange right hands. I have better hands, I know I do. Josh has a strong right hand but we will see how quick it is.
Diekman: "I am going to hit him. We are going to see how tough he is. I hope his jaw is as strong as when he is talking as it is when I punch him. I don't ever have a game plan. I am going to put my fist in his face. I think that Pat will dance around and wait until I get tired and then come in for a KO. But it is not going to work like that. I am going out there to hurt this kid because this is personal."

How about those frosted tips?

Schultz: "I will be going to the max with this one. They will be blonde, blonde for Josh.
Diekman: "I am going to knock the white off of his tips."


Note: This is only an excerpt. To read the whole thing, go to the MassMMA.net article here and read the comments from the peanut gallery! This fight challenge is getting hot! Don't miss it (tickets are going fast)!