Interviews
MMATorch Interview: Andreas Kraniotakes discusses his career, U.S. debut in ProElite, EA MMA appearance, and more
Feb 4, 2012 - 12:30:26 PM MMATorch Interview: Andreas Kraniotakes discusses his career, U.S. debut in ProElite, EA MMA appearance, and more

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By: Brad Walker, MMATorch Contributor

MMATorch contributor Brad Walker spoke recently with German heavyweight veteran Andreas Kraniotakes - who most recently appeared in the revamped ProElite - via email; their conversation is below:

BRAD WALKER: You started training in Judo at the age of 12 – what got you started?

ANDREAS KRANIOTAKES: I started Judo simply because I sucked at every other sport I tried before. But when my feet touched the mat I kinda felt that this will lead me to a better future. I was a chubby kid and Judo helped me getting in shape for the first time in my life. But to be fair, I've never been an outstanding judo practitioner. I just sucked a little less than in any other sport.

WALKER: In 2005 you won your first no holds barred tournament, how did that feel?

KRANIOTAKES: It felt amazing. I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I just had the judo experience and some standup training to work with. I still can't believe it was enough to pull of the win that night.

Before I asked my mother for permission to compete. I was old enough to do it, but I wanted her to be ok with it. She agreed, but she only agreed because I promised that if I'd win, I would never do such a dangerous thing again.

After the win I just knew, that mixed martial arts would never let me go again. So I showed up at my moms house with some flowers. She told me, that she knew from the beginning. So she set me free from the promise I gave her before and that's how my career got started.

WALKER: You’ve become very well versed in your striking in the last five years, what do you feel has helped you the most?

KRANIOTAKES: First of all I trained a lot with my team at Kampfsportgym in Koblenz. It was the hours and hours of sparring that got me into the groove. Then I worked with Jhanex Alvis at Victory MMA every time i'm in San Diego to sharpen my skills. Finally, I think a lot of improvement came through the experience I got from fighting itself.

WALKER: You are currently in the process of obtaining your doctorates degree in martial arts, do you feel this helps you in the world of MMA?

KRANIOTAKES: I am a very analytical person. Every technique I learn, I have to analyze first, in order to be able to pull it off during a sparring session or fight. I don't think that having a doctorate degree is of any use for a mma fighter, except showing off. But I think it's worth the work I put in nevertheless. I guess, that's just how I'm wired.

WALKER: How did you get the nickname Big Daddy?

KRANIOTAKES: Like every good nickname, it was given by my friends. I was always the one that drove everybody home after we've been partying. I looked out for them, so they did not get into trouble and whenever someone had a broken heart, I was the one he talked to about it.

WALKER: A lot of people see you as an MMA fighter and forget that you are also a social worker of sorts who helps children with learning disorders – what kind of work do you do with them?

KRANIOTAKES: To be precise, most of the work I do is with the parents. The parents don't realize it most of the time though. They feel, like I'm working with the kids. By changing the relationship between parents and kids, all the issues I originally got called for vanish pretty fast.

WALKER: Do you find fulfillment in being able to help these children reach towards their potential?

KRANIOTAKES: It is a great pleasure, to help them. And like I told you I feel like helping the whole family. What better feeling there is? Ah right, there is one! Punching a guy in the face in a cage!

WALKER: 11 of your 17 fights have taken place in Germany, does a crowd at home give you a bigger boost?

KRANIOTAKES: Really? I never realized that. It was hard to get fights outside of Germany when I started my career. And fighting in Germany doesn't necessarily mean to fight in front of a home crowd. But I try to fight abroad as often as possible. If I'll fight in Germany this year, it would only be for my fans.

WALKER: At the moment you have your blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu; how is your training for BJJ going?

KRANIOTAKES: It is going very well. I learn and pick up stuff. Looking forward to getting my purple belt soon. I feel confident, whenever it hits the ground in mma matches and that's priceless. My BJJ may be ok, but I'm way better with punches on the ground.

WALKER: We finally got to see you fight in the states for ProElite last November, how did it feel to fight in the US for the first time?

KRANIOTAKES: It was over too quick. I had 18 days notice to prepare for the fight. All my american fans were very excited to see me in action on american soil for the first time. Most of my twitter followers are american and they supported me big time. I can't wait to get back and bring them what I usually deliver: exciting fights.

WALKER: How hard was it to train for a former champion like Tim Sylvia?

KRANIOTAKES: It was literally impossible to find a training partner that had a similar body type. Especially with just a couple of days to prepare. Plus I was totally out of shape when I got the call. But that didn't hold me back from this opportunity. It was fun though. Shooting all the footage for HD Net was a blast too.

WALKER: Was it harder on you mentally, or physically?

KRANIOTAKES: I think the mental game is one of my strongest parts. The only time it was a little challenging mentally was when the fight actually was cancelled by the athletic commission because they thought I was too inexperienced to fight a former UFC champion. They counted all my fights in Europe as amateur fights which was kinda ridiculous. But Pro Elite and my management got it all figured out and the fight finally happened.

Physically it was very challenging. But that's part of my job, so I can't complain about that. The training was harder than the fight though, as Sylvia came to hug and not to trade punches.

WALKER: What is the biggest moment of your MMA career so far?

KRANIOTAKES: That's a tough one. I think the biggest moments I had in the gym. Those small things, when you don't get tapped by a black belt during an hour session. And every time I get a mail from a fan in witch he or she tells me, that what I do means something for him or her.

WALKER: You were featured in the EA Sports MMA game – how does it feel to be featured in a video game?

KRANIOTAKES: As a gamer, it's always been a big dream of mine, to be part of a video game. If I wasn't an MMA fighter, some may think I'm a nerd. That's one more reason I never thought it would happen and especially never thought it would happen so fast, too. I hope I'll get a second chance, and be less chubby when the designers shoot the images for the characters.

WALKER: Where do you see yourself in the next year or so of your MMA Career?

KRANIOTAKES: I want to continue fighting all across the world and I would love to return to Pro Elite and the US for a couple more fights. I'm happy to be able to live the life of a professional fighter and spread the word of MMA.

WALKER: Do you have your next fight set, if so when and where can we expect to see you next?

KRANIOTAKES: I'm fighting for Cage Warriors on February 23. They'll visit Ukraine for the first time ever and I'll be fighting a local guy. His name is Dimtry Poberezhets. He seems to be well rounded since three of his wins came by submission, three via TKO, and four times he won by decision. It will be fun to fight in a completely new country and fighting a local guy will add another spice to it.

WALKER: I know during UFC 141 you were rooting for Alistair Overeem – how do you feel about him being at the top of the heavyweight rankings right now?

KRANIOTAKES: He finally is, where he deserves to be. I feel like he paid all the dues and has earned his place at the top. We trained together and looking at the heavyweight scene out there, he's the only guy I wouldn't love to fight.

WALKER: Junior dos Santos is up next for Alistair – who are you picking this time?

KRANIOTAKES: I think Overeem will pull this one off as well. He is much more well rounded than most people think and he hits hard. Very hard!

WALKER: And last but not least – what do you feel you need to do to get the attention of UFC and get inside the Octagon once and for all?

KRANIOTAKES: Well, beating the former champion would have been a great start. I'll try to do what I always do when I step into the cage. I'm known for exciting fights and the UFC is known for being interested in exciting fighters. That sounds like a match to me. If I just could get a little winning streak going, I think I might be able to convince the right people

Catch more on Andreas Kraniotakes at his website www.kraniotakesmma.com