In mixed martial arts (MMA) there are certain subjects that, despite being very important in the success of certain fighters, remain in a discreet background. They are protagonists in the shadow whose dedication allows their pupils to reach level not conquered levels. This is the case of Mike Valle. One of those Mexican coaches who have managed to savor the honey of glory based on pure work. The founder of the gym FLOW STRIKING VALLEY (VFS) It has several world champions in its ranks. With him, athletes such as Belal Muhammad, Julianna Peña or Yair Rodríguez have managed to fashed a BC belt, but also has other talents that emerge at the blow of knockouts, such as Chilean Ignacio Bahamondes. While preparing their next commitments, Mike Valle exclusively attends ABC MMA to analyze the future of their great figures, which are on the crest of the media wave.
– Let’s go directly. Belal Muhammad, champion of the welter weight and your student, has scheduled his first defense of the title against Jack Della Maddalena. How is the preparation going?
– The training camp is going well, it is a difficult opponent, a quiet, but very technical fighter. He does not make many mistakes. It represents certain difficulties and we are working on them.
– Belal was a specialist fighter in the melee, but in the last fighting we saw you face some of the best glueders. How have you lived that stylistic evolution?
– It has been a daily job. One thing that Belal has is that training is never missing, you are always trying to learn new things. What is sought in the MMA is to work everything together and do it as a whole. In that he is one of the best in the world, in accommodating his ‘striking’ with his fight.
– He feels so comfortable in that facet that in an interview he pointed out that he will make a fight against a ‘striker’ like Jack. I don’t know if you’ve taken your hands to the head when you hear that …
– (laughs). If the fight has to develop above, we have a lot of confidence and if we have to go to the ground, the same, for that we prepare. We are complete in all areas.
– All contenders are of an elite level. But … What rival worried you the most: Shavkat Rakhmonov or Jack Della Maddalena?
– Jack Della Maddalena is very technical, there are others that are very good in a single area, but the Australian every time she competes does so according to the situation, to the opponent. It seems that not long ago, but ends up. Do not lose certain positions. It seems that it is like a racing horse, which wins with the nose in the final stretch, but wins. It is very dangerous.
– As a student, what makes Belal Muhammad more special?
– His dedication, he is very dedicated, he is training all year. He is always doing something focused on his career. His consistency is what makes him who he is. Outside the gym is an excellent person.
– This will be decided by the UFC, but in case Belal win, will the next opponent be Rakhmonov as initially planned?
– I imagine it will be Rakhmonov. The UFC always seeks interesting, striking fights, can be that, depending on what other names come out there. That is already a matter of the UFC, we do not have much decision. The most important thing is Jack Della Maddalena and we will worry about what comes.
– Another name that is postulated to climb the Wélter to look for the title is the lightweight champion of the UFC, Islam Makhachev. Do you think they could face each other despite having trained together and having a certain relationship of friendship?
– I think so. They have commented that they do not want to fight, but I do not decide whether Islam wants to go up or if he wants to fight with Belal, he is out of our control. If it is what the UFC wants, maybe it can be given. I don’t see the possibility of being very far away. I would not like it to occur, but I have no control about that.
– Let’s talk about another of his stars: Yair Rodríguez. He has been the interim featherweight champion and now faces the ex -champion of Bellator Patricio Pitbull. How is the training camp going?
– It is very good. It is motivated and concentrated, ready to give Pitbull reception in the UFC. He in front of a fighter with a lot of experience and we have to decipher that puzzle, we are working on it. We will get well prepared to Miami.
– I imagine that Yair’s plan will go to ask for his chance for the belt in case of a victory against Pitbull.
– Yes that’s how it is. There is no other option, that would be the way. With anyone who wins the star fight that night (Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes) would be the most convenient for us and the UFC. Yair is one of the most technical fighters in the world, it is very fast and explosive. It is very lethal when you are competing.
– The champion Julianna Peña is also in your gym. It is rumored that will face Kayla Harrison for the title of the Gallo peso.
– Julianna is training hard. The plan is to fight Kayla Harrison but we have no date on. It is the most sure that Kayla is, I don’t see any other opponents other than her. It will be very interesting.
– What did you highlight by Julianna Peña?
– She is very special, she doesn’t know when to stop, she always goes to the front, regardless of the situation. It is difficult to explain it. It does not step back. A person with a lot of determination.
– There is someone who is very current who is Ignacio ‘the cage’ Bahamondes. The Chilean added a completion, in this case in the first assault.
– It was an important victory for his career. He has managed to enter the elite elite, which is the Top 15 of the division, it is something very important. We are very happy.
– Have you thought about a name that is interesting for Ignacio Bahamones in your next challenge?
– There are very interesting fights. Renato Moicano could be a good rival, Dan Hooker can be another good fight. Later, a very interesting fight could be Max Holloway. UFC likes interesting and striking fights, I think these three names would be a show.
– I want to finish this interview asking you about some Spanish fighters. What do you think of Ilyia Topuria?
– He is a very confident fighter, he has dynamite in his fists. It has a lot of delivery, it is a complete fighter, it is good. It is the best and is living a great moment. You will have very good and interesting fights.
– Let’s talk about Joel ‘The phenomenon’ Álvarez. Do you have located?
– Yes of course. He is an interesting, super technical fighter, has a very good ‘striking’.
– There is also Dani Bárez. What do you think of him?
– Dani Bárez yes I have followed his career more, because he trains with some friends in Tijuana, in the gym in the gun. And fought in the contender series against Carlos Hernández. It’s good, it’s strong, it has a lot of power. You only need to accommodate things and you can do something interesting in the division.
– Let’s close with Aleksandre Topuria.
– He has the same lineage as his brother (Ilia). Very interesting fights come to him. And it is important that Hispanics continue to grow and the world is talking about us.
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