Jacob Allman is the #3 ranked lightweight in North Carolina by Pro MMA Now

Lightweight prospect Jacob “The Brick” Allman is no stranger to competition, being a two-time North Carolina high school wrestling champion(170-13) and wrestling at The Citadel for two years. Allman went undefeated as an amateur and is currently undefeated as a professional(3-0).

However, he’ll be facing his biggest test this Friday at Harrah’s Cherokee Fight Night event where he’ll be facing UFC veteran Diego “The Octopus” Saraiva (19-11-1).

Allman gave us his thoughts on Saraiva as a fighter, why it was time to take a big fight in his career, and tells the world that he doesn’t even own a TV. Check it all out below.

Kelvin Hunt-Hey Jacob, I understand that training camp for this fight has gone well. How long have you been in camp and who have you been training with for this fight against Diego Saraiva?

Jacob Allman–   Training camp went very well for this fight.  I have been in camp for the past two months.  I split time between the Palaestra Combat Sports Club in Sylva, NC and Team Huskey in Asheville, NC.  My training partners are the usual suspects from those two gyms.  I also spent time rolling with Butch Marks and Matt Tran.  Both are very good ground guys and it helped having Butch around with him being a blackbeltin jiu-jitsu.  I typically train my stand up in Sylva under the tutelage of Blake Queen and my overall MMA game in Asheville under Johnny Huskey.

Kelvin Hunt-Now you are a two time North Carolina high school wrestling champion and I know you’ve implemented your wrestling into MMA very well. Saraiva’s nicknamed “The Octopus” and a large percentage of his wins have come via submission. Give us your thoughts on him as a fighter and how do you feel your ground game matches up against his?

Jacob Allman-With the exception of him being a blackbelt in jiu-jitsu and a veteran of the UFC, I don’t know much about his game and I don’t typically watch film on my opponents.  I think our styles will collide to make a very exciting fight.  I have been lucky enough to have a brother that trains strictly jiu-jitsu in Charlotte, NC at Fight to Win BJJ under blackbelt Steve Hall.  Training there over the last few years has enabled me to pick up tendencies on BJJ guys.  It makes it much easier when you can punch and throw elbows from top.  I don’t think my game is a secret to anyone.  My game-plan is to take you down with a big throw and elbow you in the face.

Kelvin Hunt-Saraiva has an incredible amount of MMA experience while still being fairly young with over 25 fights. You have all of 3 professional bouts. When this fight came about what did you see in Saraiva’s game that made you confident that you would come away with the win?

Jacob Allman-It wasn’t so much something I saw in his game but rather a good time to take a big fight in my career.  It’s true that I only have 3 professional fights but I haven’t lost a round in 27 rounds in my MMA career (includes amateur fights).  I also have over 400 wrestling matches under my belt and I am used to competing against top competition.  I understand that this isn’t wrestling but it is a comforting feeling to have that much experience in one on one competition.  Regardless of whether I win or lose, this one fight will not define my career, so I figured it was a good time to take the fight.

Kelvin Hunt-He’s incredibly difficult to finish as well. Of course you want to win this fight convincingly, but is there an added incentive to put him away via TKO/KO or submission?

Jacob Allman-Ref stoppage from strikes is my goal each time I fight.  I want to put everyone away in that fashion.  What’s funny about that is I have only finished one guy by ref stoppage.  I have more submissions victories than anything else but you take what the guy gives you.  But to answer your question, I have the utmost respect for him and with the experience he has it would be great to finish him.

Kelvin Hunt-You have been out of action since November after going undefeated in 2010 with 3 wins. What’s the goal for 2011 in regards to how many fights you want to take if you can stay injury free?

Jacob Allman-I am not 100% sure. I think I will fight one or two more times this year.  This is the longest I have been without fighting since I began my career.  It has made my hungry for a fight.

Kelvin Hunt-Now you went undefeated as an amateur and made your debut last year. What’s the biggest difference between the 2010 version of Jacob Allman and now and what can the fans expect to see from you on Friday night?

Jacob Allman-The biggest difference is that I am much more confident in my game.  Also, my cardio is much improved.  I was playing around in my first 10 fights.  I am serious about the sport now.

Kelvin Hunt-You are just now getting serious? Oh snap! Let’s switch gears for a second. What are your thoughts on the UFC/Strikeforce merger?

Jacob Allman-I don’t think it changes anything.  The UFC is still the premiere fight organization in the world.  I don’t own a television and haven’t watched a fight since UFC 100 so I don’t know much about the politics of the merger.

Kelvin Hunt-Ok, I don’t watch much TV but I have to watch my MMA and college football!  Back to the task at hand. If you had ten seconds to send a message to Diego Saraiva. What would you say to him right now?

Jacob Allman-I hope his training camp went well and I hope he is injury free coming into the fight.  I am a class act and I am thankful that he accepted this fight even though I only have 3 professional fights.  It is an honor to fight a BJJ blackbelt and a UFC vet with as much experience as he has.

Kelvin Hunt-Well said. Jacob, that’s about all I have man. Good luck on this weekend and are there any sponsors you would like to thank?

Jacob Allman-I would like to thank Split Lip and Blackeye Fitness.  Also, my coaches, training partners, family, friends, and everyone who has supported me since I began my career.  I would like to thank my brother for being a good friend and mentor since I was a kid.  And I would like to thank you Kelvin for conducting this interview and everything you do for the sport of MMA.

One thought on “Jacob “The Brick” Allman exclusive: “Ref stoppage from strikes is my goal each time I fight””
  1. […] Jacob “The Brick” Allman exclusive: “Ref stoppage … – Pro MMA NowApr 27, 2011 … Jacob Allman is the #3 ranked lightweight in North Carolina by Pro MMA Now. Lightweight prospect Jacob “The Brick” Allman is no stranger to … […]

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