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Forrest Griffin Returns to the Brazilian Spotlight at HEAT FC 2! Taking the MMA world by storm last July 31st with his submission win over seasoned veteran Ebenezer Fontes Braga at HEAT FC 1, youngster Forrest Griffin out of Athens, GA, suddenly got the recognition his fighting skills and raw talent should have got him long ago. Ever since his amateur days Forrest was adding win after win to his record, scoring armbars and chokes and amazing those who were close to him at that time. Later, in his first venture as a pro, Griffin faced much more experienced and much heavier Dan Severn, only to lose by judge's decision. His next six professional fights saw six impressive wins, including names such as Jeff Monson and Travis Fulton. However, as he was getting ready for bigger opportunities a broken hand would sideline Forrest for quite a while, making him miss a potential fight against Bobby Hoffman and having him wonder about his future. However, it would be a matter of time until he would be back on track again as faith would give him a shot at facing tough veteran Ebenezer Braga in the inaugural HEAT show, all the way down in Brazil! In what seemed a risky move, Griffin went down to Brazil to score a rear naked choke and get the win in under four minutes, and doors started to open again. Next step for Forrest was his IFC tournament appearance, where he proved his potential again in both winning and losing efforts, as he submitted Team Quest member Chael Sonner with a triangle choke, and lost to UFC and PRIDE veteran Jeremy Horn by KO, in an exciting match up that he won't forget soon. Already known in our sport's biz, Forrest Griffin is now taking his game to Brazil once again at HEAT FC 2, where he will most certainly prove his skills once again and show a bit more of his sense of humor, as this guy is truly one of the most humble fighters you'll ever meet! As HEAT FC 2 Evolution approaches, Full Contact Fighter is gearing up the expectations for what promises to be one of the best MMA shows in Brazil in recent times, and so we bring you Forrest Griffin as he talks about his last fights and his next tasks! FCF: Your last fights took place at the IFC tourney, where you won your first fight before losing in the second one. Besides the actual results of your fights, what was your general feeling of being part of that show? Forrest Griffin: Just being around the fighters and being at an event of that caliber made me think, "shit this really is a professional sport!" The athletes were there to win and they trained and lived like professionals. They didn't mess around, for them it was not a vacation, it was work and it showed in their performances. The event itself was organized and ran like a German clock. FCF: In your first fight you submitted wrestler Chael Sonnen by triangle. You mentioned to me, before the tournament, that you would be happy if you would just win the first fight. Did you really feel happy with it after the show? FG: Hell no! That was garbage! I don't know what I was talking about. I think I was afraid to come out and say "I want to win". But I should have gone Quinton Jackson's style and just said "damn I want that money!". After I lost I was depressed as hell and wanted to quit all together. FCF: What did you think of your fight against Sonnen, and do you like to fight from the bottom, using your guard? FG: Junk, nobody wants to see a guy just sit in his guard and protect himself. It's performances like that that give Jiu-Jitsu a bad name. The guard can be exciting. My guard can be exciting! FCF: After your win over Chael, you ended up facing experienced fighter Jeremy Horn, in a fight that was somewhat even before you got surprised by a kick and ended up knocked out. How do you analyze that fight? FG: I mostly try not to think about it, I just have nightmares. He out worked me and he wanted to win more than I did. Oh yeah, and he's real slick too! I really like the guy, but God, I want to fight him again. FCF: You seemed to take your loss quite well, so this may sound as a dumb question, but how did it feel to be knocked out for the first time in your career? FG: I'd rather get knocked out in grand fashion than lose a decision where I fight "smart". I'm never going to be one of the top level guys, so I don't worry about wins and losses, or at least I try real hard not to, but I want to be exciting. FCF: I have to say I think you're on the verge of being one of the top guys, and it's good to see you're still humble [Laughs]. Anyway, you're now about to return to action fighting at HEAT FC 2 Evolution. What are your expectations for this fight? FG: I'm ready to fight again. It's been a long time and I'd like to fight more often, except that I keep breaking stuff and that makes it hard [Laughs]. FCF: Your opponent is Edson Paredao, who is somewhat unknown for the international public. What do you know about your opponent and what do you expect from him? FG: I really don't know anything about him except he's big and strong, and has anice straight right hand, which I'd like to stay clear of. FCF: This is a smart move! [Laughs] Did you change anything in your training for this fight? What did you emphasize the most training for HEAT FC 2? FG: All kidding aside I added alcohol, lots of it, to my diet and went out a lot more. I also started working at a strip joint and keeping odd hours [Laughs] FCF: Damn! Let's take it as an improvement on your part! [Laughs] You also took part on HEAT FC 1, defeating seasoned veteran Ebenezer Braga. What do you recall from that experience, and do you think that win will give you some support and recognition from the crowd in Brazil? FG: Sure! The fans down there appreciate the sport and a good "balls to wall" performance. That's what they got last time this is what they will get this time. FCF: You're now fighting on a card with other famous fighters such as Allan Goes, Carlos Barreto, Ebenezer Braga, Gustavo Ximu, Travis Wiuff, and others you saw fighting before such as Eric Wanderlei, who was also in the IFC. Are there any fighters that you're looking forward to see competing live at the show? FG: I can't wait to see some of those fights. I tell the American fans who probably don't know of him to watch Eric Wanderlei! He fought in the IFC with one days notice and no time to adjust to the Denver alttitude, which is a killer. But despite all that he still showed me how good a fight can look on the ground. FCF: After your win over Braga at HEAT 1, and your display of skills at the IFC you became known and rumors are always flying around about Forrest Griffin. After HEAT FC 2, what's next for you? FG: A lot of dieting [Laughs], I'm fighting Marvin Eastman on January 17th. FCF: This is going to be also a great fight! Any final messages for the fans? FG: Don't be my fans, guys in the NFL have fans. Randy [Couture], Chuck [Liddell], and Tito [Ortiz] have fans, I just have friends. FCF: There you have it! Thank you very much for your time Forrest and the best of luck at HEAT FC 2! FG: Thank you Eduardo.
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