TUF Talk: Nam Phan On McKenzie Win, Body Shots, FW Future

The last installment of TUF featured the first wave of quarterfinal matches, where Nam Phan laid out another hard-nosed showing by battering Cody McKenzie on the feet after a resilient display of technical takedown defense.

In what is quickly becoming known as his signature finishing move, it was another crushing left hook to the body that folded his opponent on the canvas.  The Vietnamese martial artist and I caught up to discuss his penchant for pummeling people's solar plexuses, where he got his inpiration for using the body shot so effectively, his choice of opponent out of the remaining competitors, and Nam Phan's firm resolution to drop down to 145-pounds for future fights.

DW:  Vicious shots to the body were once again key against McKenzie.  Gomi always comes to mind for me as a great puncher downstairs.  Is there a particular fighter that inspired you to start going to the body often?

NP:  Gomi has good body shots too.  I remember watching Sergei Kharitonov vs. "Ninja" in Pride, and I thought, "Oh hey, maybe I'll give it a try," and my coach also promotes the body shot.  And also, the body is closer than the face.

DW:  Who is your boxing coach?

NP:  Art James.  He's a great coach.

DW:  And considering your pro boxing record, the results show.

NP:  Yes.  3-1 with 2 KO's.

DW:  Were you concerned with McKenzie's size going in?  And was this the biggest competitor versus the smallest?

NP:  I don't know; Kyle Watson, Brookins, and a few other guys are pretty big too.  I wasn't really concerned and felt confident.

DW:  Knowing your preference was to stay standing, would you still have been comfortable on the ground with Cody?

NP:  Oh, yes.  I would've been perfectly comfortable, but I was cautious about the guillotine.  I just wanted to take the safe way out.

DW:  Did you specifically plan to attack his body, or is that all instinct?

NP:  I never count on the body shot.  My boxing coach tells me, "Don't go for the KO, let the technique flow and the KO will come."

DW:  You've fought big names all around the world, but said this was your biggest fight.  


NP:  Absolutely, this was the most important fight and win of my career.  I've fought all over the owrld, but it was only until I fought on the The Ultimate fighter that I started to get the recognition.

DW:  I would guess that the UFC/WEC merger is huge for you.  Is your plan to drop down to featherweight after the show?

NP:  Oh yeah, for sure.  I always wanted to fight in th UFC, so my original plan was to fight in the UFC at 155, and maybe the WEC at 145.  But now, after the merger, I definitely feel 145 is my natural weight and what I have my sights set on.

DW:  So the timing of the merger couldn't have been better.

NP:  Right.  Before going on the show I fought at 145 and felt pretty good.  I only wanted to go to 55 for The Ultimate Fighter.

DW:  Were you concerned the UFC might have an issue with wanting to change weight classes?

NP:  I wasn't too worried, because honestly, no matter how well I did on the show, I want to fight in the UFC no matter what -- in any weight class.  All the money and recognition is in the UFC, so that's where I want to be.  

DW:  Last question:  at this time on the show, did you have certain fighters that you specifically did or did not want to fight?

NP:  For sure.  At this time, Johnathan Brookins is at the bottom of my list, because that guy's a stud.  Michael Johnson and Kyle Watson, you know, they're tough too.  I'd say Wilkinson and Bruce Leroy would be my choices if the decision was up to me.

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Stay tuned in the next few days for The Garv.com's other TUF correspondant, Kyle Watson, sharing his thoughts on Wilkinson as an opponent, and also his post-fight review after next week's episode airs.