Interview with UFC’s Efrain Escudero

At 8-0 Efrain Escudero is really making a name for himself in the UFC’s lightweight division. After winning Season 8 of the Ultimate Fighter, Escudero is coming off an impressive first round TKO win over Cole Miller at UFC 103 in September. Coming up this Monday January 11th at 9PM ET on Spike, Escudero goes head to head with Evan Dunham at UFC Fight Night. We had the chance to catch up with Efrain.

Fight Trader: Let’s talk about your upcoming fight with Evan Dunham. Give me your preliminary thoughts on the Xtreme Coutre product?

Efrain Escudero: Evan is a well-rounded fighter. He’s undefeated for a reason. I know I have put myself in worse situations. I highly doubt he can take me in the deep waters that I’ve been in and my training partners have put me in. Anyone who is in the UFC is well rounded. I do believe when we step into the octagon on January 11th, I don’t think he can take me into the deep waters I’ve been in. I know he’s very talented, but I’m looking forward to throwing down against Evan Dunham.

Fight Trader: Have you seen anything specifically out of Dunham that you feel you can expose?

EE – Not giving away too much of my game plan, in his fight against Marcus Aurelio I do feel there were some things he did that I feel I can expose. He’s good. He has good stand up, and is an Oregon State champion.

FT: How has training camp been for this fight?

EE: This camp was really fun. I started off at BJ’s camp helping him prepare for Diego Sanchez. I’m really motivated for this fight. It was really an eye opening experience seeing how hard BJ works in the gym.

FT: Your rise to prominence in the UFC has been exponential, when you were chosen to compete on TUF, did you ever envision you would be in this position?

EE: When I first applied, I never thought I would get chosen. I just applied to see what would happen the next thing I know, I’m chosen for the Ultimate Fighter, the next thing I win it, I knockout Cole Miller, and I’m here where I’m at today.

FT: I know you had a lot of things going on in your life with the death of your father before the Finale. How were you able to deal with it and focus on your fight?

EE: You just need to put things aside. Life goes on; you can’t let nothing hold you behind. I’m just trying to make him proud. There’s a difference between losing if the guy is better than you and beats you up. It’s also another thing when you get in there and you know you’re better than the guy, but he manhandles you or you lose a close decision because you could have pushed yourself a little further and you didn’t. I don’t think he would be proud if I ever did that.

FT: Since you won the show last year, how has life changed for you?

EE: It was awesome. I still hang out with the same guys I used to. I have a new strength and conditioning coach, but other than that things are the same. I have the same coaches and training partners. I train the same working hard every single day.

FT: Your win against Cole Miller was extremely impressive. You showcased your hands and ferocious punching power. Is this a sign of things to come out of Efrain Escudero?

EE: I punch everyday and worked with a guy by the name of Danny Martinez and we pushed each other every single day, When I hit Cole Miller, I was stunned, because I would hit Danny with those same punches and he would keep coming forward. My hands are something I’ve really worked on.

FT: What are your thoughts on the UFC’s expansion into Mexico, Latin, and Central America?

EE: The UFC is doing a good job introducing the sport to Latin America and Mexico. Mexico is a huge country for the UFC because a lot of pro boxers are from Mexico. There are fans in Mexico who are fans of boxing and the UFC can target them.

FT: You seem to be an ambassador when it comes to this expansion having traveled to Mexico on a couple of occasions, what was the response like?

EE: It was awesome. It was actually a week before UFC 100 and everyone treated us with respect and was great to us. It was amazing for me being born in Mexico because it gave me a lot of leeway with the people and the media. The experience was just great.

FT: The UFC has continued to expand at a rapid pace covering all parts of the globe. During UFC 100, the ratings for that event surpassed ratings for the Mexican National Soccer Team. What are your thoughts on the UFC possibly having an event in Mexico?

EE: I don’t care what I have to do but I want to be on that first card in Mexico. The times I have fought down there the fans have been great. Some of my family can’t come to the United States and it would be awesome to be a part of the legacy of fighting in your home country. The UFC is going to get bigger and bigger and to be the first born Mexican fighter fighting down in Mexico would be amazing.

FT: Can you give me a prediction for your fight on January 11th against Evan Dunham?

EE: I don’t really like to predict, I don’t really like to talk, but what I am going to tell you guys is I have prepared myself harder than what I did for Cole Miller. I’ve been helping with Ben Henderson for his fight this Sunday against Jamie Varner at WEC 45. Him being a southpaw and me being a righty, it worked out perfectly. Then also, I started off my training camp with BJ Penn and all those guys. There is nothing Evan Dunham can do that people have not done to me during this camp. Expect a fight and I’ll take whatever. If he gives me his arm I’m taking his arm, if he gives me his neck, I’m taking his neck. If he lets me knock him out, I’m knocking him out. No matter what I’m coming with a W and if he is going to beat me, he’s really going to have to beat me.

FT: Your teammate Ben Henderson is taking on Jamie Varner for the WEC Lightweight Championship this Sunday night at WEC 46 LIVE on Versus starting at 9PM ET. Tell me your thoughts on this huge lightweight showdown.

EE: I think Ben Henderson is going to win. We have seen both of these guys go out there and put on exciting fights and win. There is something that you don’t see from Ben Henderson. You don’t see him breaking at all. He took a beating against Donald Cerrrone and was in deep submissions attempts, so I don’t see Jamie beating him. I’ve seen Jamie break though to the point where they had to stop the fight early. I think Jamie is going to be in a world where he’s going to find out who he really is. It’s going to come down to who wants it more.

FT: Is there anything you’d like to tell all your fans?

EE: I just want to tell all my fans thanks for supporting me. Fans are the people that make me. I just like to go out there and fight. I might promise you guys all the time I’m going to go in there and win, but I am going to promise you guys that I am going to go in there and fight. I’m undefeated for a reason. I’m going to try and stay undefeated as long as possible. Know that I’m always training working hard to give you guys a show. Thanks for the support. Anyone who wants to talk to me or keep in contact with me go to my website at http://www.efrainescudero.com, write me a message, and I’ll get back to you.

To take a look at Efrain’s Fighter Profile on Fight Trader go here
Efrain Escudero’s Fighter Profile

By: Ray Flores