Interviews
MMATorch Interview: XFO's David Sorensen on pro debut - "I just wanna win and earn my respect as a fighter"
Aug 6, 2014 - 10:25:18 PM MMATorch Interview: XFO's David Sorensen on pro debut - "I just wanna win and earn my respect as a fighter"

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By: Brad Walker, MMATorch Columnist

Today I got the chance to speak with XFO fighter David Sorensen, who is making his pro debut at the company's largest show of the year, Outdoor War, on Saturday. If you would like to purchase tickets they are available at www.localmmatickets.com

Here is our discussion:

Brad Walker: Dave, thanks for taking a minute during fight week to talk with myself and MMATorch about your upcoming fight.

David Sorensen: No problem it's my pleasure.

Walker: So you're making your long awaited pro debut - how does it feel to move up to the professional side of the sport?

Sorensen: It's been a long time coming. I'm really excited, it feels great finally getting my career started.

Walker: You had one hell of a run in the amateur ranks, putting up an impressive record and really showing an aggressive striking game both standing and on the ground. How will that benefit you on Saturday in Outdoor War?

Sorensen: Well the only benefit I'll take from my [amateur] fights is the cage experience I gained after [eight of them]. Besides that, my striking and ground game has changed a lot, and I'm looking to show everyone that on sat!

Walker: You have been a fighter to watch for almost two years now with your striking power and good height for the division. Where do you credit your power to, and how much do you plan to use your height against generally shorter opponents?

Sorensen: Well any credit for my hands goes to Doug Mango of course! He's showed me every punch I know; we have been working together for a while now. But for the last two camps I've been working a lot with one of my training partners, Cory Galloway, and it's been helping a lot, so any strike I land in this fight the credit goes to them two I think. As far as height goes I'll actually be the short guy in this fight. My opponent is 6 ft, so it's a new to me. And truthfully, as the sport grows more and more, and the science of weight cutting evolves, guys get bigger and taller, so this is something I'm preparing myself for in the future as well. I'm actually only 5' 9”, people always think I'm taller!

Walker: I won't lie, I had you pegged at 6 foot at least. Coming into Outdoor War it's a great atmosphere, last year your fight got canceled, how are you going to react to the insane crowd XFO draws for this event?

Sorensen: Yeah this event draws a great crowd, no doubt, but I'm different; I don't feed off the crowd ever when I walk to the cage, everything goes quiet and tunnel vision kicks in. It's really strange, I only hear my coaches; if you pay attention, I don't even pick my walk out music they just play whatever they want, I'm just zoned in on the fight.

Walker: That's the way to be, zone in and destroy. Who gets the most credit for pushing you on a daily basis in MMA?

Sorensen: Well I would have to say my teammates and coaches. I have a great family and group of friends that support me, but I push myself the most. I'm my biggest critic, I'm never pleased with myself ever (laughs), sometimes even after a fight that I win I'm still really upset with myself. I just want that perfect fight, and I'm never even close to getting it. One day maybe.

Walker: So your first pro bout is just days away - what is your goal with your pro career?

Sorensen: My goal is simple: I just wanna win and earn my respect as a fighter from my teammates, fans, and other fighters around me. I don't have these big UFC dreams, that's just not reality to me right now. I've already made it farther than most people thought I would. I mean my first fight I didn't even train for, and after that I said 'I'm gonna go train at Team Curran,' and people told me I wouldn't last there. I proved everyone wrong, now I can hang with anyone there. And then I said, 'I'm gonna win all my [amateur] fights and win the 135 lb. belt' and I did just that, so the fact that I'm even going pro is already way past my goals I set in the beginning. So to answer that question, my goal is just to win fights at a pro level, and prove my doubters wrong. That's always been the goal, I guess. Make no mistake, I would love to make it to an RFA or Bellator, but for now just winning in the XFO would make me really happy!

Walker: In your weight class there's a huge title rematch coming up between Renan Barao and TJ Dillashaw - predict the winner for me.

Sorensen: Truthfully I didn't even watch the first one. I was with friends hanging out. But I've seen bits and pieces of it, and I would have to say T.J. takes the rematch. He beat him once, he'll do it again. Barao's downfall was always gonna be a wrestler with good striking, and working with Dwayne “Bang” [Ludwig] has made T.J. a beast I think!

Walker: Alright last question man: how does your fight end on Saturday at XFO's Outdoor War?

Sorensen: With me fighting my ass off and giving it 110%, and hopefully at the end my hand gets raised. It could go all types of ways; one thing I know for sure is it's gonna be a scrap!

Walker: Alright brother, thanks for the time and I'll see you Saturday!

Sorensen: No prob bro, thank you!