Tim Boetsch Sticking to His Face-Smashing Roots
Tim Boetsch Sticking to His Face-Smashing Roots
UFC middleweight contender Tim Boetsch recently returned to his savage ways at UFC Fight Night Sioux Falls by stopping Josh Samman via TKO with a flurry of
UFC middleweight contender Tim Boetsch recently returned to his savage ways at UFC Fight Night Sioux Falls by stopping Josh Samman via TKO with a flurry of punches late in the second round.
As has been the case for the majority of the fights during his Octagon tenure, Boetsch came into the scrap as the clear underdog. But once the cage door shut, he showed the world why he can never be counted out of any fight.
"I was a substantial underdog going into that fight." Boetsch said. "I never understand why I am an extreme underdog. I am never out of any fight. I felt very confident going in there and smashing him just like I did. I wasn't surprised how the fight played out."
Experts and spectators alike were surprised by the striking savvy Samman initiated in the clinch, as well as how he relied on his grappling skillset when Boetsch seemed to have a clear advantage in that realm. Most, including Boetsch, thought Samman would have kept his distance by using his length and range to outwork his opponent on his feet.
"I was surprised when he came out and grabbed ahold of me." Boetsch said. "I expected a little bit of striking on the way in. In the fights I watched he was explosive. He would throw hard leg kicks on his way to the clinch. I don't recall any of that in our fight. If he wanted to make it easy for me, I'm not going to argue."
The event kicked off with Samman's pre-fight ritual, which only further steeled the no-nonsense Boetsch to show Samman the door early.
"He was kneeling in the center of the Octagon doing some sort of Samurai-ish routine." Boetsch said. "I think it was his attempt to psyche me out. If anything, I thought he was being ridiculous, and it just made me look forward to punching his face. It may have backfired, and I think he realized that early on. The pre-fight ritual may have cost him the fight."
The 35-year-old Boetsch made an early run toward the UFC middleweight title that included a career-defining victory against then-highly ranked Yushin Okami in his home country of Japan at UFC 144. After a number of solid wins and that incredible comeback win, Boetsch had the MMA community's attention. But as a result of cancelled fights and missed opportunities, UFC gold was just not in the cards.
Now, Boetsch is back in the win column, and eyeing a second run toward the top of the wide-open middleweight division.
"I am getting up there in age," Boetsch said. "The clock is ticking. I am better now than I have ever been. I understand the game better. If I am being honest, I didn't feel like I was ready during that first run when I was beating up Okami. That phase of my career just didn't feel right. Marcus (Davis) and I have a great formula. It just hasn't panned out the past few fights. One wrong move or mistake can cost you a fight.
"You never know which loss will be the last one, and then you are mowing grass full time. It's a matter of everything falling in place, and I feel like it's starting to. I am ready for whatever comes next."
In a story that sounds like it was pulled out of a Hollywood movie script, Boetsch made a UFC title run simply by training in his father in law's basement. That blue collar, hardworking foundation ultimately led to him expanding his horizons and training around the country at the most prestigious camps in the sport.
Boetsch spent time honing his craft with MMA luminaries such as Renzo Gracie, Pat Miletich and Matt Hume. It took time and that experience for Boetsch to fully understand the fighter he was meant to be. Boetsch is clearly more Barbarian than librarian.
"I felt like I had a lot to learn." Boetsch said. "I didn't know who I was as a fighter. Was I truly "The Barbarian," or was I going to try to become this technical fighter? Getting back to my roots of throwing someone down and smashing their face, I was reminded of how effective I am doing that. The result I got in Sioux Falls reinforced that old-school style. I was being true to myself as a fighter. That's how I see myself performing until I am done fighting."
As has been the case for the majority of the fights during his Octagon tenure, Boetsch came into the scrap as the clear underdog. But once the cage door shut, he showed the world why he can never be counted out of any fight.
"I was a substantial underdog going into that fight." Boetsch said. "I never understand why I am an extreme underdog. I am never out of any fight. I felt very confident going in there and smashing him just like I did. I wasn't surprised how the fight played out."
Experts and spectators alike were surprised by the striking savvy Samman initiated in the clinch, as well as how he relied on his grappling skillset when Boetsch seemed to have a clear advantage in that realm. Most, including Boetsch, thought Samman would have kept his distance by using his length and range to outwork his opponent on his feet.
"I was surprised when he came out and grabbed ahold of me." Boetsch said. "I expected a little bit of striking on the way in. In the fights I watched he was explosive. He would throw hard leg kicks on his way to the clinch. I don't recall any of that in our fight. If he wanted to make it easy for me, I'm not going to argue."
The event kicked off with Samman's pre-fight ritual, which only further steeled the no-nonsense Boetsch to show Samman the door early.
"He was kneeling in the center of the Octagon doing some sort of Samurai-ish routine." Boetsch said. "I think it was his attempt to psyche me out. If anything, I thought he was being ridiculous, and it just made me look forward to punching his face. It may have backfired, and I think he realized that early on. The pre-fight ritual may have cost him the fight."
The 35-year-old Boetsch made an early run toward the UFC middleweight title that included a career-defining victory against then-highly ranked Yushin Okami in his home country of Japan at UFC 144. After a number of solid wins and that incredible comeback win, Boetsch had the MMA community's attention. But as a result of cancelled fights and missed opportunities, UFC gold was just not in the cards.
Now, Boetsch is back in the win column, and eyeing a second run toward the top of the wide-open middleweight division.
"I am getting up there in age," Boetsch said. "The clock is ticking. I am better now than I have ever been. I understand the game better. If I am being honest, I didn't feel like I was ready during that first run when I was beating up Okami. That phase of my career just didn't feel right. Marcus (Davis) and I have a great formula. It just hasn't panned out the past few fights. One wrong move or mistake can cost you a fight.
"You never know which loss will be the last one, and then you are mowing grass full time. It's a matter of everything falling in place, and I feel like it's starting to. I am ready for whatever comes next."
Related: Tim Boetsch Knocks Out Everyone in a Basement
In a story that sounds like it was pulled out of a Hollywood movie script, Boetsch made a UFC title run simply by training in his father in law's basement. That blue collar, hardworking foundation ultimately led to him expanding his horizons and training around the country at the most prestigious camps in the sport.
Boetsch spent time honing his craft with MMA luminaries such as Renzo Gracie, Pat Miletich and Matt Hume. It took time and that experience for Boetsch to fully understand the fighter he was meant to be. Boetsch is clearly more Barbarian than librarian.
"I felt like I had a lot to learn." Boetsch said. "I didn't know who I was as a fighter. Was I truly "The Barbarian," or was I going to try to become this technical fighter? Getting back to my roots of throwing someone down and smashing their face, I was reminded of how effective I am doing that. The result I got in Sioux Falls reinforced that old-school style. I was being true to myself as a fighter. That's how I see myself performing until I am done fighting."