Photo by Peter Lockley / Sherdog.com

After a horrific UFC debut experience, due to no fault of his own, Chris Tuchscherer (17-2) is ready to give this thing another go. Now a good six months later, with the family jewels still in tact, “The Crowbar” is ready to face Tim “The Thrashing Machine” Hague (10-2) this weekend at UFC 109. Pro MMA Now (www.prommanow.com) caught up with Chris on Wednesday to talk about the fight, get his opinion on his opponent, see if we could pry any info out of him about a certain training partner, and see if he would be willing to fight that certain training partner… By the way, he said “yes” to that last question.

Hi Chris, thank you for speaking to us at Pro MMA Now (www.prommanow.com). How have you been doing and how are you feeling here just a couple days away from your fight with Tim Hague at UFC 109?
I’m feeling great, feeling like a machine. I’m ready to rock!

Are you guys in a few feet of snow up there in Minnesota right now?
Yeah, we have about two feet of snow on the ground.

Does the weather ever interfere with your training up there or do you live close enough to your gym where it’s not really an issue – and I assume all your training is indoors this time of year?
The snow doesn’t affect my traning too bad. If anything, it makes the three hour drive more difficult. I train in Minneapolis but I actually live in Fargo, N.D. and travel to Minneapolis for the week to train.

Obviously, your last fight with Gabriel Gonzaga didn’t go your way. He’s a very tough veteran, and very dangerous. What did you learn from that fight – what did you take away from that experience, and would you say he was your toughest fight to date?
I can’t say that he was my toughest fight to date because seconds into the fight I was injured with a groin kick. Hopefully, what I can take away from that fight is being in the Octagon and taking away those first time jitters.

What’s your opinion on Tim Hague and how do you see yourself matching up with him?
Tim is a big guy who looks like he fights with a lot of heart. I think I match up well with Tim Hague because I dont see him as a dangerous striker and him charging in like he typically does just helps me as far as closing the distance to get inside. When the fight goes to the ground I see it as a big advantage for me with my wrestling background, as far as controlling the fight.

What specific challenges does Tim Hague present – where do you think he is most dangerous?
His most dangerous aspect would probably be his submissions, which doesn’t worry me too much. I train with Rodrigo “Comprido” Medeiros who is a seven-time world champion black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

What heavyweights do you get to work other than Brock, and when Brock is not around?
Travis Wiuff, Cole Konrad, and Jon Madsen

Did Brock help you any prepare for this fight – if so, how’s he looking in the gym?
No comment.

They were saying Brock was not operating at full capacity when he won the title. Can you tell a difference in him, now after getting over the illness, and how he was last year?
Brock who? (laughs)

I’m sure you have been asked this many times, but would you ever fight Brock if offered a title shot – what would it take for you to fight him?
For sure I would. This is my job and I’m up for any challenge they give me. The day I get offered a title shot I will be very happy with where I am in my fighting career.

Chris, thank you for talking with us at Pro MMA Now (www.prommanow.com). We wish you the best of luck in your fight against Tim Hague this weekend. Is there any sponsors you want to thank, or do you have any shout outs?
Ya, thansk to JT Cigaro, L2 Contracting, Jack Links, Dymantize, Fusion, Spencers, MMAA, Death Clutch, Liquid Ice and all my fans!

You can see and order one of Chris’s new UFC 109 Walk-Out Tee by Death Clutch here.

2 thoughts on “UFC 109 spotlight: Pro MMA Now exclusive interview with Chris Tuchscherer”
  1. Great interview. I hope Chris gives a much better performance this time. I think he could beat Tim Hague Easily though. :)

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