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By Eduardo Alonso
Fanning the Flames as the HEAT is Coming:
"The Diesel" is fueled up and ready to explode on Barreto in Brazil!

      With an extensive MMA record of more than 20 wins, Travis Wiuff (pronounced View) has been one of the most active heavyweights in the game in recent years, performing in several medium and small shows throughout the USA and working hard to establish his name as a serious contender in the most prestigious division in most events. With wins over names like Travis Fulton and Jason Godsey, Wiuff got himself a gig in the UFC only to experience defeat to the hands of Vladdy Matyushenko. However, this didn't phase the young fighter's career as he has been training harder than ever, and has been on a 10 fights winning streak proving why he is nicknamed "The Diesel". Now, this next Thursday December 18th, Travis is going to face one of the most important challenges of his career, and a crucial fight for his intentions and plans for 2004, fighting against Brazilian Top Team PRIDE and UFC veteran Carlos Barreto at HEAT FC 2 Evolution. The headline of the premier Brazilian event can mean a lot to the American Wrestler, as a win over Barreto will help him to get the exposure he craves so much about, and Travis Wiuff is well aware of that. In this interview he shows his views on his latest outings, as well as the challenge that lies ahead of him this next week, as Full Contact Fighter keeps burning high for Heat FC 2 Evolution!

Travis Wiuff FCF:   Your last fight was against Travis Fulton, little more than a month ago. You ended up winning by split decision, what are your thoughts on the fight and on the actual split decision?
Travis Wiuff:     I consider Travis Fulton a legend in this sport and a win over him is always a "good" win. It is the same old story with Travis Fulton Though, he does not train and is not in his "prime." Anybody who seen the fight knows that I won all three rounds. I guess one judge must have not seen it another way to get the split decision.

FCF:   By the way, you fought Fulton twice already in your career. What differences could you feel fighting him for the second time, more than one year after your first bout with him?
TW:     The first time I fought Travis I had no clue what I was doing. I was strictly a wrestler that had no real training in MMA. I look back at that fight now and wonder how I made it through that fight and did not get ko'd.

FCF:   You also recently fought in Mexico, and are about to fight in Brazil. How was the experience in Mexico, and how do you feel when fighting in other countries?
TW:     My fight was in Mexico was a disaster. I had to fly in the day of the show cause of a problem with the flight info. I arrived about a hour before the show began and was stranded at the airport waiting for a ride to the venue. I won the fight, but that was after they raised my opponents hand cause I refused to go a fourth round after I won all three rounds. I ended up winning the fight, but it was not a pretty situation!!!

FCF:   You're going to fight in HEAT FC 2 against Carlos Barreto from the Brazilian Top Team, next December 18th, in Brazil. Do you mind fighting against the hometown favorite?
TW:     I do not really mind fighting the home town favorite. I feel it kinda takes the pressure off of me. I probably will not have a single fan down there besides my corner, but once we get in the ring it is just me and him. I tend to block the other noises out and just concentrate on my opponent, so I do not feel it will be a factor in the fight.

FCF:   You have been pretty active this year so far, how was the preparation for this fight at HEAT FC 2 and what do you expect from the experience?
TW:     I have trained very hard for my fight with Carlos. I have trained harder for this fight than any fight in my career. I will be ready, as I am sure Carlos will be as well. I expect a great fight and the person that can execute their game plan will win this fight.

FCF:   You're fighting Barreto, who is a veteran of PRIDE, UFC and RINGS, and is coming from a KO win over Ben Rothwell at HEAT. What's your take on him as a fighter?
TW:     Carlos is a great fighter. He is a legend and a warrior! He has beaten some really tough opponents in his past and fought in some huge shows. That alone says a great deal about how skilled he is as a fighter. He is a veteran, so I am sure that he will be prepared. I am sure that he has trained hard for this fight, but there is no way he has trained harder than me.

FCF:   He has been training and showing a lot of Muay Thai recently, even venturing himself at K-1 in Brazil. Do you plan to also trade strikes with him standing?
TW:     I have really concentrated on my stand up for this fight. I feel very confident in my own abilities. I can only say that If the fight does stay on the feet I am sure that someone will wake up with a headache!

FCF:   You had a shot at the UFC, fighting at UFC 40 against Vladdy Matyushenko. What happened in that fight, and what did you learn from the experience?
TW:     My fight in the UFC was an unbelievable experience. I had only 8 days to get ready. I do not know if having more my time would have won me the fight, but I know I could have performed better than what I did if I was given more time to prepare.

FCF:   Do you believe this fight in HEAT can help you to get another gig at the UFC?
TW:     I think a win over Barreto would be a huge win for me. A win would defiantly get me bigger pay days and to me that is all that matters right now.

FCF:   What's next for Travis Wiuff after HEAT FC 2? What are your plans?
TW:     After the HEAT show I plan to get some rest until the new year. I like to stay pretty active and I hope to be fighting again sometime in January. As of right now nothing is set in stone as far as when or where my next fight is.

FCF:   Any final messages for the fans?
TW:     I hope that fans continue to support me and this sport. Without the people that buy tickets to the shows I do not think I would love to do this sport as much as I do. It is fun to fight and compete, but to get paid for it is the best. I appreciate the support I get from people and will continue to train and fight hard to make even more fans!

FCF:   Thanks a bunch Travis, and the best of luck in your fight!
TW:     Thanks!
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