Vaughan Lee Interview “Fighting in Scotland is going to be mega”

Vaughan Lee is a bantamweight fighter that has recently dropped down to flyweight, who fights out of the Ultimate Training Centre in Birmingham and has been a professional mma fighter since 2003. His record is 14-10-1, but if you look purely at stats alone his 10 losses are a poor reflection on his ability. His professional career got off to a rocky start with three straight losses, but other losses include Brad Pickett, Chris Cariaso, TJ Dillashaw, Raphael Assuncao and Iuri Alcantara, all of which are marquee UFC fighters. His 10 losses are a testament to the calibre of opponent he has faced and his willingness to take those fights. Fight Talk Scotland talked to Lee before his upcoming fight at UFC Glasgow.

 

FTS: Where has the majority of your training been and how was the fight camp?

VL: I’ve been in Thailand for the whole of this fight camp, training at Phuket top team.

FTS: How much do you know about your opponent?

VL:  I’ve actually trained with Paddy a couple months ago so I got to get an idea of what he’s about, plus I’ve watched his fights and have been preparing for his style.

FTS: How do you feel about fighting in Scotland?

VL: Fighting in Scotland is going to be mega. I think the fans will be louder than I’ve ever witnessed before. I’m excited.

FTS: Does it make a change not fighting in some far flung corner of the world or does that sort of thing not affect you?

VL: No I don’t mind where I fight. I love to travel and train in other counties as well as the UK, so no matter where the fight is I can adjust.

FTS: How do you plan on beating Paddy Holohan?

VL:  I’ve been working a lot on fighting with my back against the cage where I believe Paddy will try to force the fight, so it might be another win with me beating him up with my back against the fence like I did to Tezuka.

FTS: How does Paddy’s fighting style compare to past opponents?

VL:  Paddy’s style is very unorthodox and looks clumsy. I guess that’s why he has success with it but I can adjust to any style or even no style. I’ve fought guys like him before I got into the UFC so I’m ready for anything.

FTS:  How does it feel to be fighting again after over a year off?

VL: I feel great with this comeback. I’m fighting at a 125lbs which is a first for me and I believe I’ll have an advantage.

FTS: What made you first want to get into fighting?

VL:  Watched movies as a kid like Blood Sport and Enter the Dragon, plus getting bullied just made me take this path.

FTS: How do you feel about the move from bantamweight to flyweight?

VL: I feel I’ll be a better fighter at 125lbs just because the fast and furious style of the lighter fighters matches my way of fighting.

FTS: What plans do you have for the future?

VL: In the future i plan to open a reggae bar in Thailand one that sells real Jamaican food.

Interview by Louise Saul @AikiSaul