Interview with TJ Waldburger, New UFC Signee

Interview by R. Scott Reis

Anthony “TJ” Waldburger is the Lone Star State’s only representative into the UFC’s Ultimate Fight Night, taking place September 15th at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. He has had an impressive career, racking up notable wins over UFC veterans Brian Foster and Pete Spratt, and most recently took a decision over Strikeforce competitor Pat Healy in September 2009. Sporting a record of 12-5 with 9 wins by way of submission and fighting out of Grappler’s Lair in Temple, Texas, TJ took some time to share his thoughts going into his highly anticipated UFC debut.

R. Scott Reis: Thanks for speaking with me TJ, let’s get started. The UFC is the pinnacle of our sport, and now you’ve reached it. What was the journey like getting there?

TJ Waldburger: It’s been a long road, just scratching and crawling to work my way up. I wouldn’t it any other way really though, cause I see some guys get there and its all about who they know. Starting out with Grappler’s Lair we started off and learned together as we climbed up there. John (Moore) is an amazing coach and someone like Pat Militech or Randy Couture went through the same road to get there. So I think its the way to get there in my eyes. Now that I’m there it doesn’t stop. Now I’m there I really gotta press on.

RSR: You fight at 170, which is one of the deepest divisions in the UFC. There’s a lot of really good guys there, with Georges St. Pierre who a lot of people think is the pound for pound king on top of it. What do you think you bring to the table that is really going to make you stand out among everyone else and rise to the top?

TJ: I think the mental part is the most important. Over half of it is mental. I think mentally I’m there. I’ve got a great teacher who constantly evolves, so I’m ready for either way; I’m well rounded. The big thing is you gotta react to any situation. If I go into a mindset where I’m ready for anything, then I can win either way. I just do the best that I can and leave it in God’s will and see where it goes.

RSR: I’m looking at this card in front of me and I’m really exited to see it. I notice though that you’re the only Texan on the card. Do you feel any additional pressure in this situation?

TJ: Oh no, this is awesome, especially starting off in the UFC. I’ll be in my hometown where I’m comfortable. There’s not many that come out of Texas that get to sign with the UFC, so I’m proud I’m here with my family and friends and my hometown to cheer me on. I want to represent Texas well.

RSR: Let’s talk about your opponent some, Dave Mitchell. He fights out of northern California, 11-0 with 9 submissions. On paper kind of looks like you in terms of style. What do you expect him to bring to the table?

TJ: I haven’t really looked him up or anything, I usually just leave that to my coach. You never go in with a gameplan, you just let it go – let it play out. What he did a year ago could be totally different than now so you just see how it plays out and react. I’m exited, he’s mainly a ground guy I hear so we’ll test that out and try to find a weakness in his game. I’d like to try out his ground and see where it is. Try his standing, his wrestling, his clinch. He’s 11-0 and in the UFC so he’s obviously got something going on so I’m exited to fight him. That’s what the UFC is all about: fighting the top guys and he’s the next guy for me. So I’m just exited beyond words. I’m ready to go.

RSR: So every day you’re heading down to Ft. Hood to train with these guys for this upcoming Army Combatives competition. Can you tell us a little more about that?

TJ: It’s awesome. I’m training there with these guys 6 hours a day with John Moore and I’m exited, training hard. Once a year on Ft. Hood and every station in America will have a combatives tournament. They’ll take all the winners for the All-Army tournament. They asked for us at Grappler’s Lair to teach them jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, and wrestling. They all have their different backgrounds. It’s cool to train with people with experience, but in addition the army has a lot of respect from me for being places I haven’t been. They’re willing to throw down. They’ve seen a little more than being punched in the head. It’s really cool to train with these guys. They’re gonna help me get ready for my fight.

RSR: So you see yourself gaining a lot for your training working out with these guys?

TJ: Oh definitely.

RSR: Care to make any predictions for the night on your own fight or others?

TJ: I haven’t paid attention to the card. We’ll see how it goes that night for my fight. I’ll just go out and do the best I can and pull out the win.

RSR: Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

TJ: I wanna thank Grappler’s Lair and my coach and all the guys at Ft. Hood. My chiropractor, my massagist, my boxing coach, my parents – everybody man. I couldn’t do it by myself. We’re a team, we do it together.

RSR: Thanks very much TJ, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. Maybe we’ll talk again after you get that win?

TJ: For sure, thanks man.

R. Scott Reis is an avid MMA fan and amateur MMA writer who has competed in jiu-jitsu bouts all over Texas and recently made his amateur MMA debut. He writes and trains out of Austin, Texas.