Before Vinc “From Hell” Pichel makes his long-awaited return to the UFC’s Octagon against Damien Brown at UFC New Zealand, LIVE on FS1, the hard-hitting lightweight sat down with ProMMANow.
What do you listen to while driving?
[Laughs] I listen to all kinds of music. Anything violent. My favorite bands are Slipknot and Pantera. I like Pennywise and punk like that. I like metal. I like rock and roll. I listen to all kinds of music. As long as it’s fast-paced and violent, I’m into it.
How do you like to unwind after a long day?
Yeah, at night I try to unwind by watching TV but I really like to play video games. I’m a real vidiot. I love games. On Netflix, I like watching House of Cards, Parks and Recreation, and Breaking Bad. I like interesting and unique stuff like that. Things that are funny, clever, and serious. I’ve been through a lot of turmoil and that diversity of influences has really helped. I went through a drugs stage at one point. I don’t want to say I was a shitty person, but I did a lot of things I don’t necessarily regret but for all of their negatives have helped shape me into the person I am today. I wouldn’t be as wise or intelligent as I am without those experiences. I watch a lot of stuff like that because I can relate to it. It reminds me of where I come from.
Best post-victory meal?
I‘m Italian, so lasagna is my thing. I always make a point of having a big, hearty Italian meal after a fight. For me, if I have my way, it’s lasagna every time.
Where do the nickname come from?
Oh, “From Hell?” The name actually came from my mom, believe it or not. My brother and I are really close and when we get together we like to reminisce about our childhood. He reminds me that when I was a kid, I was a little asshole! I did a lot of shitty things. I guess not shitty, just things I shouldn’t have done and did anyway. When I first started fighting, I didn’t tell my mom until I was fighting professionally. When I was younger I got into a ton of trouble for fighting. When I finally went professional, I told her and she said, “I know, you’ve been arrested for it a shit-ton of times.” “Well, no mom, I’m doing it professionally and I’m going to get paid for it.” She laughed and said, “Okay, sure. Then what’s your moniker, Pichel From Hell?” I laughed immediately; it has a good ring to it and it fits me. I just laughed and told my coach and he started cracking up, “Vince From Hell Pichel.” It just stuck after that. Outside the ring, everyone knows me, I’m cheerful and the nicest guy. But inside the ring or if you betray me or piss me off, the devil will come out and you’ll regret it. It’s just one of those things that happened just because of who I am.