by: Cory Brady
Tonight Mike Pyle will wage war with the extremely dangerous and seasoned Brian Gassaway at the Night of Combat II event in Las Vegas. Pyle has looked incredibly dominant in the last year riding a three fight win streak since his loss to EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields. A fight he says he would absolutely love to have back. The man they call “Quicksand” will have his chance to cement the common belief that he is among the top dogs in the 170 pound division tonight if he can secure an impressive victory over dangerous striker Brian Gassaway.
PRO MMA: Thanks for taking this time with us Mike. How are you feeling physically right now leading up to the fight?
MIKE: I’m feeling good, just a little hungry from cutting weight is all.
PRO MMA: What do you know about your opponent Brian Gassaway and how do you feel you match up?
MIKE: I think it’s a good match up. It’s a classic striker vs. grappler match up, you know, he’s more experienced in the striking and I’m more experienced on the ground so it’s an interesting match up.
PRO MMA: What’s your game plan going to be in this fight. Will you be looking to stand and trade, take the action to the mat so you can use your quicksand technique or go with the flow?
MIKE: That’s for me to know and you and everyone else to find out.
PRO MMA: I know you’re training with Xtreme Couture but who have you been doing the majority of your training with for this fight?
MIKE: Just the whole team down at Xtreme Couture. We’ve all got fights coming up so I’m not training with anyone particular really, just the team.
PRO MMA: Do you feel you feel like you will have a small advantage because the fight is taking place basically in your backyard and there will be quite a few of your teammates on the same card?
MIKE: Yeah, it’s a possibility but I don’t really think about it. I just think about the game plan I need to bring to the table to beat Brian Gassaway. That’s all I concentrate on, is things that I can control.
PRO MMA: Do you have any plans of fighting for Sengoku again in the near future?
MIKE: Oh for sure, yeah. I’ve still got three fights left with them so yeah, for sure.
PRO MMA: Are you still going to be fighting on the next Affliction card?
MIKE: As far as I know. We’ll know a lot better once the event comes closer . I don’t know that 100% for sure but I was supposed to be on the last one so I’ll probably be on the next one.
PRO MMA: Now you’ve fought a bunch of really tough guys from Jake Shields, to John Fitch and even Rampage. In your opinion, who’s the toughest guy you’ve ever fought?
MIKE: Oh man that’s a tough one. I don’t know, I’d have to say Rampage or Andrei Semenov. Those were some really tough fights for me.
PRO MMA: Who would you say are currently the top 4 or 5 guys in the world at 170?
MIKE: Oh I don’t know man. I’ve never really thought about it to be honest with you. St. Pierre is up there and Fitch and Thiago Alves are really good as well. I still think to this day that Jake Shields is overrated and I’d love to have that fight back any day.
PRO MMA: You said you’d love to fight Jake Shields again; is there anyone else you would like to fight in the future or is it all about whoever they match you up with?
MIKE: Just whoever they match me up with. A worthy opponent, you know, a name opponent. Someone that’s been there and done that just like me.
PRO MMA: Alright Mike, thanks so much for your time. Any shout outs to sponsors or teammates you would like to send before I let you go?
MIKE: Just a shout out to Xtreme Couture and all of my team that’s helped me get ready for this fight. I appreciate all of the support and I’ll see you guys in the ring.
PRO MMA: Take care Mike and best of luck on your fight!
MIKE: Yeah, thank you.