With the help of KSW’s International Communications Manager Alan Murphy we met with former KSW Heavyweight champion at the Berserkers Team Gym by the main train station in Szczecin. At first I was nervous having recently tweeted support for Phil De Fries following our recent interview. Bedorf cut an imposing figure, looking in top shape, still perspiring from finishing a three hour training session. He chatted openly with us downstairs in the gym.
How has your fight camp been going so far?
“Everything is fine already I have many sessions everyday. I have a long camp, 7 days in the mountains done already, now low altitude this close to the fight. We have been creating a game plan for De Fries. Working on all aspects.”
You looked very strong getting a 1st round Kimura submission against Pudzian in your last fight? Do you feel your injuries are behind you now?
“Yeah I think so. At my age injuries happen everyday. When I wake up my body doesn’t feel alive. My main injury happened two years ago, I had surgery on my achilles and I worked with it to be ready to fight again.”
Where do you think this fight against De Fries will be won or lost and after speaking to WHOA TV recently Phil De Fries reckoned wrestling could be key?
“I’m preparing for everything. He is a better grappler than me and the one thing I want to check is when he goes to the ground, I have been training BJJ 17 years so let’s see if he’s ready for the ground and I’ll win.”
What inspired you to first enter the world of MMA? Who are your major influences in fight style?
“My friend started MMA training while I only worked at the gym, I was a strong kid benching 180kg at 16. At age 12 I had my own gym in my house. My father was a weight lifter. My friend asked if I wanted to go on the mat, my first time I choked him out, I don’t know how, but I got his neck! The coach asked me then to train at the gym.”
What do you do to unwind outside of training and fighting?
“To relax I go to quad bikes. I’m involved in big quad stories and have a group that go and clean the woods. This is my hobby I also love fishing as there are many rivers here in Szczecin. I have 3 dogs I run with and do a lot of work to do with them. My son is 7 is training like me and my father and he is a very good wrestler.”
Do you see your son being a heavyweight like his father?
“He is tall and ripped, I think he will be 84kg (middleweight) or 93kg (light heavyweight). I try to prepare his body to compete and he trains with me in the gym, his life isn’t easy but he loves it! My son Boris try to involve him with everything and he loves the sport and says I want your job and I want to fight in KSW! I say study first, train and we will see. He tells me to contact KSW already!”
KSW is vastly rising in popularity in the UK but is mostly attended by polish expats and as such do you believe that fighting in London will be a home or away fixture?
“I don’t know because the last time in London everyone said that it was a great. London 100% crowd shouting and atmosphere.”
We experienced the same in KSW Dublin, it became very heated in the crowd at times?
It’s only a sport and it’s only in the cage, the crowd should focus on that. I hope the atmosphere will be crazy but positive!
How do you see your career unfolding in the next few years? What are your ambitions outside of KSW?
Yes maybe more I don’t know exactly. I want the title again and my belt back, I think about the fight in front of me, then look at me afterwards.