Spencer Fisher Is Gonna Get A Little Loose And Crazy

On June 13 of 2009, Spencer Fisher defeated Caol Uno at UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany via unanimous decision. The victory for marked his third consecutive win in the Octagon, and it seemed that “The King” had finally found the consistency he needed to make a run at the promotion’s coveted lightweight crown.

However, just over four months later, Joe Stevenson spoiled Fisher’s run towards a title, pummeling the UFC veteran into submission in the second round of their UFC 104 affair.

Utterly outclassed from the opening bell, Fisher looked back to analyze what had led to the disappointing outcome against a man who had struggled in recent history inside the cage. The Team Sityodtong fighter was quick to notice a slacking off that had compromised the necessary preparation for a fight against the former top contender. And now he feels he is ready to climb back up the ranks of the 155-pound division after working out his mishaps.

“I didn’t do things I was supposed to do. I was on a three-fight winning streak and I was getting a little lazy,” Fisher says. “I’m below Stevenson. He beat me, and I just have to work my way back up. The biggest thing for me is I don’t dwell on the past too much. I look forward to the next fight and I want to just keep plugging away and put on exciting fights for everybody.”

In his first fight since his loss to Stevenson, Fisher takes on European striker Dennis Siver on the main card of “The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz”. Siver, who, like Fisher, lost his last bout, has made a name for himself due to his flashy stand up arsenal, which includes a spinning back kick that has yielded him several knockout victories in recent history.

Against a calculated knockout artist with killer instinct, Fisher remains confident in his striking ability, seeing a similarity between himself and Siver (minus the spinning back kicks). Yet with plenty of similarities, Fisher stands strong in his belief that he holds the edge in every aspect of the fighting game, including experience.

“It’s like looking in the mirror,” Fisher says. “He’s very similar to how I am. I just think everything that he’s good at, I’m a little better at. You know, I’ve been here a little bit longer, and Saturday night I’ll show it.”

Facing a high-caliber striker such as Siver poses its problems, but Fisher remains steadfast in his belief that he holds the kryptonite for a flashy striker such as his upcoming opponent. “Technique and speed” are the two elements he feels will build the compound necessary to counter Siver’s style and allow him to pick apart his opponent in the striking department.

“Absolutely, technique and speed (are my biggest advantages),” Fisher says. “He’s a gamer. He’s gonna get on it and go for it. I’m a bit more tactical. I (use) angles more. He’s kind of a straight-forward type guy. European kickboxing style.”

In terms of the striking game, only time will tell if Fisher truly holds an advantage on the feet. Until then, he is confident that he does, and that Siver will soon realize that he does not want to keep the fight standing. Promising a more dynamic, exciting style of fighting, Fisher is ready to unleash his fury on the feet and force Siver to test another method to gain the victory.

“I’m gonna get loose and kinda crazy out there,” he says. “At this level, you have to respect everybody you fight. There are those things, he does them well. And, of course, I train for those, but it’s a fight. And once I take those weapons away from him, then he’s stuck.”

“Once he realizes that it’s not working for him (on the feet), he probably will try to take me to the ground. And then it’s just going to unravel for him worse and worse.”

If the relentless striker Siver fails to capitalize on the feet, his other method of victory will be on the ground, where he holds eight career submission wins. However, he is fighting a man whose lone submission loss did not come via choke or lock, but rather strikes. And Fisher doesn’t feel Siver’s ground game is tight enough to threaten him, let alone become the method of victory.

“I’ve watched a little more tape than I usually do,” Fisher explains. “He looks like he has a really loose game on the ground. I don’t know how much he’s trained since the last time he fought, but his game looks very loose. I think I can beat him anywhere we go.”
The way Fisher sees it, when Siver’s striking falls short, the Russian-born kickboxer will make a last ditch effort for a submission. Unfortunately for him, Fisher does not give him much of a chance on the ground either.

If Fisher’s beliefs hold true on Saturday night, the 34 year old will gain redemption since his last loss and look towards the higher ranks of the division infested with competitive challengers. And, perhaps, allow “The King” one last run towards the lightweight throne.

0 Comments