Interview with UFC’s Aaron Simpson

Most recently age has become just a number in sports. There are some athletes 35 years of age and up who are competing at a world class level. One of those is none other than UFC’s Middleweight sensation Aaron “A-Train” Simpson. With an undefeated record of (6-0) the 35-year old faces his biggest challenge to date as he battles Tom Lawlor (6-1) this Monday night January 11th at UFC Fight Night 9PM ET on Spike. We had the chance to talk with Aaron regarding his fight.

Fight Trader: Give me your thoughts on the big fight coming up at UFC Fight Night against Tom Lawlor.

Aaron Simpson: I have a lot of respect for Tom Lawlor. He’s a talented fighter who likes to scrap and bang, and I think it’s going to be an entertaining fight come next Monday night. I am excited about going out there and both of us are going to put on a show.

Fight Trader: Tom Lawlor beat CB Dalloway at UFC 100, what are some flaws in his game you can expose?

AS: I haven’t seen a lot of tape on him. He fought CB as a southpaw, but I know he’s right handed. That may have been a tactic for him to try to stuff the takedown. It’s going to be interesting to see who the better wrestler is. Will he be able to take me down? Will I be able to stuff his shots? This is going to be an exciting fight.

FT: How has your training camp been for this fight at Arizona Combat Sports?

AS: Training camp has been really good for this fight. Joe Riggs came here to train for a little while. I’ve been working with CB Dalloway, Ryan Bader, and also training with Jesse Forbes who is now on the Fight Night card replacing Steve Steinbeiss. Jesse is in shape ready to go and we’ve been pushing each other.

FT: You’re coming off a big win against Ed Herman and being undefeated, you’ve finished both of your opponents inside the octagon, how much have you grown since your first fight with the UFC?

AS: I have grown a lot since my first fight in the UFC. My confidence and comfort level has risen. This is something that is right up my alley. I enjoy the big crowd and the big stage that is the UFC. I don’t have those UFC jitters. It is an awesome feeling competing in the octagon and things are coming along. When I first fought, I would take my opponent and ground and pound them. Now, my hands have come around over the past year. I have gotten comfortable with my body position, movement, footwork, ducking and slipping punches, and throwing punches from multiple angles. I feel being a lifelong athlete has certainly helped me adapt and pick these things up.

FT: What was it like competing with your wife on American Gladiators?

AS: There’s an interesting story behind our appearance on American Gladiators. My wife cannot have children so my mother-in law carried our embryos. At the time of us being on the show, she was pregnant with our twins. The show was fun hanging out with Lailia Ali and Hulk Hogan getting an opportunity to have some fun on the course, but our concern was to get back and see our babies.

FT: You have an extensive amateur wrestling background, having been a multiple time All American at Arizona State. Why did you decide to get involved in mma?

AS: MMA was the next step for me. For wrestlers, if you can’t make it to the Olympics it’s the next logical step. I was coaching collegiate wrestling for close to 10 years and I loved it. It was tough to step away, but mixed martial arts was the next level of competition for me.

FT: Where did you get the nickname of “A-Train”?

AS: A good friend of mine Kellen Fullenkicker and I were messing around wrestling and scrapping in the wrestling room years back. We were going back and forth, and he said I’m going to ride the A-Train. We told the story, and since then it stuck. It’s been with me ever since.

FT: A win over Tom Lawlor means what for Aaron Simpson?

AS: A win over Tom Lawlor means I get a win in the UFC. There are top level guys who lose and there is something special about winning inside the octagon. My career has been short in the UFC, but I look forward to what the future has to hold. The UFC is the greatest organization in the world, and it’s great to be fighting for them. Right now, my concentration is on Tom Lawlor. The focus is strictly on next Monday.

FT: Is there anyone in particular at 185 that you would want to fight at middleweight assuming you get past Tom Lawlor?

AS: I was watching Kendall Grove, and I think that would be a pretty interesting step up for me. He looked impressive in his win against Jake Rosholt, and I think it would make for a good fight. Then, again I don’t make the decisions. I just go out there and fight hard.

FT: In professional sports, there are guys who are defying their age. In the UFC, you have to look further than Randy Couture. At 35-years old, how much longer do you think we’ll see Aaron Simpson fighting?

AS: Right now I feel great. I’m in terrific shape, and I’m able to hang with the young guys in the gym and compete at a high level. I look at a guy like Steve Nash who is in his mid 30s and is having the best season of his career so far. Randy Couture as mentioned is continuing to fight at a high level. I think I have at least five more years left if not longer. I just want to keep pushing myself and working hard to fight at the highest level.

FT: Can you give me a prediction for your fight this Monday at UFC Fight Night on Spike starting at 9PM ET?

AS: I want to get in there and get a knockout or tko. I want to push the pace and break him down. This will be a very exciting fight. At the end of the day, I’m looking forward to having my hand raised.

FT: What would you like to tell your fans?

AS: I’d like to tell all the fans to stick with the A-Train. I do it for the fans and fight for them. The paycheck is nice, but I enjoy fighting inside the octagon for them. I like to put on exciting fights for them. I’m pretty accessible, just log onto to my facebook page, and I enjoy communicating with the fans. This is going to be an entertaining fight, and I look forward to putting on a show.

To take a look at Aaron’s Fighter Profile on Fight Trader go here
Aaron Simpson’s Fighter Profile

By: Ray Flores