Thursday, May 15, 2008

Interview with MMA Fighter Kaitlin Young


Here is an interview with one of my good friends in the MMA world, Kaitlin Young. Kaitlin will be fighting Gina Carano on May 31 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The fight will be shown live on CBS. Kaitlin is from Minnesota and trains at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy along with other notable MMA fighters such as Sean Sherk and Brock Lesnar. This 22-year-old fighter also works on her strength and conditioning at Athletic Performance Inc. in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Besides being a MMA fighter, she also is a student at the University of Minnesota studying kinesiology. She won an eight-woman tournament last November by knocking out all three of her opponents in one night to become the HookNShoot Tournament Champion.
She has a professional record of 4-1. Check out her interview and also her fight and training videos below.

Hey Kaitlin, how are you doing today?
I'm doing very well. Thanks.

How is training going along for your fight with Gina Carano?
Training is going very well. I have been able to put more time into training for this fight than any of my previous bouts.
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Who are you currently training with and helping you prepare for this fight?
There are multiple people I have been training with in preparation for this fight. Greg Nelson and Tom Schmitz, who will both be in my corner, have spent a lot of time helping me train for this fight. Scott Ramsdell, my strength and conditioning coach, has also been absolutely instrumental. Of course, I have many training partners that are a great help too.

Gina's last opponent Tonya Evinger said “I’d like to make out with Gina, but I am here to knock her out." Do you have any of the same thoughts as Tonya?
No ... except maybe the last part about attempting to knock her out!
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Have you fought in a cage before or will this be your first time fighting in a cage?
Actually, my first MMA fight was in a cage. Aside from that, the rest have been in a ring.

What do you think the biggest difference is between fighting in a cage as to fighting in the ring?
I think the cage presents a different atmosphere. You have to sprawl differently against the cage. Ground work can be inhibited, or you can be saved on the ground by the cage where as in a ring, you and your opponent would have space to move under the ropes. I think a cage also can make the clinch more dangerous.

Do you have a preference between fighting in a ring or a cage?
I think fighting in a cage better suits my style at this point.

What will be your entrance music when you walk out to the cage on May 31?
I haven't decided on a song yet for this fight. I usually come out to "Thunderstruck" by ACDC because years ago, a couple of my training partners nicknamed me "Thunderfoot" when I first started Muay Thai.

How did you do with your finals?
I'm finishing up finals this week. I only have about 20 credits left before I graduate.

What do you want to do once you get your kinesiology degree?
If I had it my way, I would fight for a while before having to get a real job. If that doesn't work out, I have tossed around the idea of going into research.

Here are some questions from fans. Does your training camp overlap with Sean Sherk's?
Yes, it overlaps with Sean's training quite a bit. I am very excited to watch that fight. Sean looks better than ever right now.

Can you tell us about your Muay Thai background? How do you think your Muay Thai compares to Gina's?
Honestly, I only did Muay Thai for two years before getting into MMA. I think I read somewhere that she studied for three years before making the switch. I think she probably has more pure Muay Thai experience, but I feel that my style of Muay Thai is more well suited for MMA.

Why weren't you on the EliteXC poster for the event and did that make you mad?
I don't know why I wasn't on it. I don't really care all that much. It really pissed my mom off though! (laughs)

What weight are you most comfortable fighting at?
I have tried to gain some muscle for this fight, so right now I am comfortable with 140. The unfortunate part of trying to maintain mass is that I have to eat to the point of being uncomfortable to maintain my body weight while training heavy cardio. It would be easier for me to fight at 135, or potentially 130.

Which was more satisfying during your HookNShoot tournament fights - that high kick that ended the fight or finishing your opponent by knees in the clinch?
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I know a head kick finish is flashy, but winning with knees was more satisfying to me. I think that is mostly because my clinch sucked so horribly when I first began fighting and I finally won a fight with it!

Do you know if the upcoming fight will have five minute rounds or three minute rounds, and how do you feel about females having shorter rounds than men?
This fight is going to be three minute rounds. I am against shorter rounds for women. Shorter rounds take an emphasis off of conditioning and hard work, and have the potential to create rationale for women fighters to be paid less because they spend less time in a fight.

How would you feel about a fight with Shayna Baszler?
She is a friend of mine, so in that sense, I would rather not fight her. However, she is a great fighter and I would love to see how that one would go!

What would be your perfect way to end a fight and have you already done it?
I think winning a fight by submission would make me feel most accomplished.

Why are you getting a shot at what many consider the elite female to beat in MMA? Shouldn't that honor be going to someone like Sara Schneider (Schneider defeated Young earlier this year).
I think I am getting this fight with Gina because they want an exciting fight. This is not a title fight. Neither Gina nor I are rated #1 in the women's rankings. Styles make fights and this will be a great one. In regards to Sarah, I know some representatives of Elite were at her last fight at Fatal Femmes. I am unaware if they spoke with her or not, but I know they signed Carina Damm after that show. If they were interested, I am sure they have already contacted her.

How do you think your ground game and wrestling compares to Gina's? Are you worried that if you start to get the better of her standing up, she'll take you down?
It is hard to say where we are in comparison to one another on the ground. She sub'd Tonya Evinger, but I have not seen much of her ground game otherwise. I have been spending a lot of time on the ground lately and tried to get a couple of grappling competitions in between fights. That is a tough one to call. I think that there is a good chance that she might try for the take down.

Can you beat Gina in a serious ground game? Have you improved your ground game since your loss to Sara Schnieder?
Yes, my ground game has improved a lot since my last fight.


Thanks for taking the time to talk to me and answering questions from the fans and myself. Do you have any final words for the fans out there?
It was my pleasure. I hope you all watch my fight on May 31st! I'd like to thank my sponsors Premier Fighter, MTX Audio and MMA Warehouse. Also, check out gfight. tv if you get a chance!


Kaitlin training at API Video






27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the interview and videos! KY is going to kick ass!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Can someone verify that Gina only said she has two weeks of training camp for this fight? IF this is true, God help Gina on May 31!!

Anonymous said...

Gina said that America has a crush on her. She is getting very cocky now.

Anonymous said...

I hope Katlin knocks out Gina with a high kick... I am sick of the Gina Carano marketing team. Instead of focusing on the sport, she is focusing on her sexuality and good looks. What happens if she does not even make weight? If she has to cut 30 pounds just to make weight, she won't last pass the first round unless she takes it to the ground.

Anonymous said...

Where are all the Gina Carano fans? The same fans that bash her will be the same ones praising her after she wins!

Anonymous said...

This is a very good interview and I learned a lot about this fighter. She sounds very impresive and her tournament fights were awesome. I never seen Gina Carano fight yet but this looks like an awesome fight.

Anonymous said...

She is the prettiest girl that Gina has fought. A upgrade over Evinger. I like how she was asked about kissing Gina and she said NO but she that she wants to ko her!

Anonymous said...

She looks really sexy in the pictures and looks like she can give Gina a run for her money in the looks department and in the cage too.

Anonymous said...

This will be one of the fights I am looking forward to. Good to see Kaitlin Young get some press too. She deserves it and will be Gina Carano's toughest opponent yet. Muay thai vs muay thai!

Anonymous said...

Kaitlin is gonna shake up the world after she KOs Gina!!

Anonymous said...

Kaitlin Young is one tough bitch!!! Gina will be seeing stars on Saturday night!

Anonymous said...

Gina will CRUSH her!

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot for asking the questions I submitted.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to this fight, but it seems many fans on here are tinking Gina's going to get ko'd... Young looks good, but don't forget why Gina is the most celebrated female in mma (not her looks), she has knock out power in hands and feet, and she has ground game. You think that she's not going to come in prepared? we'll see in 10 days

Anonymous said...

Gina is telling everyone she does not have time to prepare but she is just making everyone think she won't be ready. I agree and am putting my money on Carano.

Anonymous said...

War Young!!!

Anonymous said...

There's a reason why Kaitlin is
+300 on the betting lines, and it ain't cuz the oddsmakers are big Carano fans or are duped by the marketing machine behind her.

Anonymous said...

I'd hit it.

Anonymous said...

I don't care. I got my $100 on the underdog. I would not risk -450 on Gina.

Anonymous said...

Thank-you very much for taht interview. That answeared alot of my questions. Good luck Kaitlin Young. Go waaaaar!!! Go kaitlin!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank-you Kaitlin and D Wizzle. That interview answeared alot of my questions. Go kaitlin! War Kaitlin Young!!!!

Anonymous said...

After reading this interview, I definitely am a new fan of Katlin Young's. She sounds smart and her videos prove she is one tough cookie!

D Wizzle said...

I am glad you guys all enjoyed the interview! Thanks for the feedback!

Anonymous said...

Gina is going to sleep on Satturday night! I hope she makes weight

Anonymous said...

Uhh she didn't make weight after all. They need to make the weights at 145 or 150 for her

Anonymous said...

GC isn't cocky. She said people had a crush on her because that was the name given to her. Stop looking for insults. They're both good fighters. No, GREAT fighters.

Anonymous said...

That was one of the best fights on the show last night and I have to give big ups to both of the girls. Gina is amazing and I wish the fight would have had a round 3. I cant wait to see Gina fight again. CONVICTION!