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John Salter is one of my favorite fighters to interview. He's very well spoken, while not afraid to share an opinion. He joined us last night on Shambala Sports Radio to talk his forthcoming fight with Dan Miller at UFC 118.
Article below, written up by SSR producer Thomas Volkert.
| Friday, 20 August 2010 07:40 |
Just about a month ago, UFC Middleweight and former Lindenwood University stand-out wrestler, John Salter, was preparing to meet with Phil Baroni at UFC 118. As fate would have it, and for the second time in as many fights, a wrench was thrown into the mix. Baroni out; Dan Miller in. While Dan Miller could possibly be fighting for what could be his UFC career, John Salter will be looking to make a big splash by upsetting the former IFL and Cage Fury Middleweight Champion. Salter, who currently owns a professional MMA record of 5-1(1-1 UFC) doesn't mind the switch of the opponent. "Really it's not that big" Salter told us on Shambala Sports Radio Thursday Night. "We found about, talked to my manager, called my coach and the next day we changed up our training the next morning. It doesn't really bother me, I grew up wrestling and I'm used to not knowing who you're going to wrestle till thirty minutes before you get out there". While this fight could make John Salter a big name in the UFC, for Dan Miller, this fight could potentionally end his UFC stint, with a fourth loss in a row. Salter feels that Miller won't be phased and will be just as good as he's always been. "I think definitely a part of him is thinking, he's got to get this win, but at the same time, I think when you're at this level, everybody feels that way. I don't really think it'll make a big difference, I expect him to be the best he's ever been." While no one will confuse Salter's original opponent, Phil Baroni and Dan Miller, Salter feels his biggest strength is the ability to dictate where the fight is going to go, calling upon his wrestling background that won him the NAIA National Wrestling Championship in 2007 at 174 pounds. Salter also feels that puttying Baroni on his back will put him in trouble, Miller doesn't mind going that route in a fight. "The biggest strength I have here is the ability to put the fight where I want it. If I want to stand up, I'll stand up, if I want to go to the ground I'll go to the ground." The Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, who now trains with Lloyd Irvin Black Belt, Shawn Hammonds in Nashville, Tennessee would also love to compete in another sport he loves, Grappling. "It's been about a year since I've done a grappling tournament.. I love grappling tournaments, it's where I don't punched in the face. I definitely want to do them again." John Salter made his UFC debut in January 2010 at UFC Fight Night 20: Maynard vs Diaz, where he took on Gerald Harris, on six days notice, suffering his only defeat in his MMA career, via TKO. Salter got his first win in the UFC, beating UFC veteran Jason Mcdonald via TKO(injury). Salter will look to push his name into the big time with a win over a veteran like Dan Miller. You can follow John Salter on Twitter(JCSalter_MMA) and his homepage http://johnsalter.com/
You can Follow Thomas Volkert on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TVolkert314 |
