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Michele 'SuperMike' Verginelli Italian MMA Champion |
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I’ve made this interwiew with Michele SuperMike Verginelli after his win against Carmine Miranda at the Oktagon event. Michele is really a friendly champ, he’s amazing and really tough when he fights but really nice and humble in person.
Pedro Rizzo, SuperMike & Peter Aerts Claudio :First of all, congratulations Michele for your victory, tell me something about your match with Miranda ? Michele Verginelli: Thank you,, well this is the second time i fought Carmine Miranda (last november Mike beats Miranda by ko in the 4 round), the first time it was harder, i’ve trained only in boxing for 7 months (Mike is also a boxer), and i didn’t feel so confident with the ground work, this time i’ve trained a lot in boxing, kickboxing, grappling and conditioning and it was easier. Claudio : Could you tell us about your background and how long have you been involved in MMA ? Verginelli: well i’ ve started training in 1992 in full contact karate (american kickboxing), but after few months i discovered Sanda (chinese combat system, a kind of Muay thai with throws and submissions), after a slow start as a fighter, i’ve been 6 times Sanda italian champion, and two times sanda world champion, with over 70 bouts. Claudio: when did you start fighting MMA? Michele Verginelli: At a point in 1998 they ask me to not compete anymore in Sanda (laughs), they were tired of me winning every time and no one wanted to fight me (laughs), then a promoter asked me to fight in the first (and only) Cage fight in Italia. Claudio: How did you feel entering the cage for the first time? Michele Verginelli: I was really nervous, at that time I’ve never fought in a cage full vale tudo rules, and i didn’t really know what could have been happened, but when the cage was closed i realized that i’ve to fight in the best way to survive (laughs). (by the way he won the 8 men open weight tournament). I’m still nervous before every fight begins, but when i’m in the ring or in a cage, i become very confident, no problem at all NOW (laughs) Claudio: you are a firm believer in cross training, how do you train? Michele Verginelli: 3 times a week i train my standup skill, boxing and kickboxing, and others 3 I train my grappling skills. Claudio: What are your best weapons? Michele Verginelli: I think i’ve very good standup skills, I've to focus on ground work, it’s my goal to achieve a really good ground work, i think it’s important to improve day by day, and i will (laughs) Claudio: What do you think about the future of MMA in Italia? Michele Verginelli: well there are many good fighters and some good promoter, but i think there are many problems to solve, it’s too difficult to fight NHB here in Italia, and also free fights (Ring rules) are difficult to set up, i think is a political problem also. Claudio: What do you think about the UFC or the tournaments like Pride ? Michele Verginelli: Well I think they are the best events in the world, unfortunately we can watch only VHS tapes, but I’m really a fan. Claudio : Who’s your favourite fighter? Michele Verginelli: easy to say, Sakuraba, he’s a myth Claudio: and who has been your toughest opponent? Michele Verginelli: Rodney Faverus, I' ve fought with him in the Italian Vale Tudo event, wow the guy is really tough (laughs), but i’ve beat him, great battle.
Super Mike & Rodney Faverus Claudio: Is there anybody you would like to fight? Michele Verginelli: Well I really would like to fight in big events like Pride, or the UFC, if someone from that organizations wants me to fight, i’m ready, i will fight everyone, in every style, I REALLY WANT TO FIGHT (laughs) Seriously fighting Sakuraba will be a dream come true. Claudio: well i think you really deserve to fight in bigger events world wide, something you want to say at European MMA fans? Michele Verginelli: Please, check out my site http://web.tiscalinet.it/verginelli (laughs) Thank you Supermike Michele 'SuperMike' Verginelli is available to fight everywhere - MMA rules, I think he really deserve to fight more often, he’s a natural fans-favorite because his fight style is really amazing, he gives 110 % every fights and he’s really good, great skills, great heart. Contact SuperMike at michele.verginelli@tiscalinet.it Claudio Freschi SFUK ITALIA 8 May 2001 Related Links:
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