Interview by: Russell Cejas
Drew Fickett has had his share of drama over the past few years. The MMA welterweight has fought a whose who of fighters in his fifty-four fight career. He quickly gained the attention of observers when he first burst out onto the scene going undefeated in his first twelve bouts. Fickett eventually made it onto the big show, the UFC where before debuting had a extremely great record of 24-2. He is most remembered for his come from behind victory over Josh Koscheck whom he choked out in the last twenty seconds of the final round.
Things didn’t exactly go Fickett’s way as he was eventually let go from the organization. It would began a four year roller coaster ride as Fickett bounced around organizations, working his way thru the worst losing streak of his career (5 straight losses) to eventually wash out with four straight victories. It certainly caught the attention of Mark Pavelich, the owner of the MFC who signed Fickett back with the organization after publicly declaring he would never do so. Fickett was due to challenge MFC lightweight champion Antonio Mckee back in February but a knee injury forced Mckee out. In his place came Matt Veach who gave Fickett is fifth straight win in a row.
Fickett is now on the heels of his sixth straight win as he is set to face UFC veteran Hermes Franca at MFC 29 on April 8th, live on HD Net. We caught up with the Florida based fighter who attributes his resurgence to a new focus as well as his daughter Thalia. Fickett quite candidly opens up about his prior alcohol abuse and why he thinks drug testing in MMA should be implemented for all fighters across the board.
FHTV: Drew we appreciate you taking the time to answer some questions, I’m sure you are busy training for your fight with Hermes. Are you still in good shape from your last fight in Canada?
DF: Affirmative
FHTV: Being a veteran of the UFC and MMA in general do you think this fight against Hermes Franca in the MFC will show your fans new and old that you are in fact back, and taking your career very seriously?
DF: I am back and better than ever!
FHTV: You have been training with Southwest MMA in Arizona, who are some of the guys you are training with in preparation for Hermes that are similar in style?
DF: Sean Huff and Ediz Salazar at We-Fit and Northside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Joey Rivera and Joel Champion at Apex Mixed Martial Arts. I also train with Team Scrub members: Ernesto Fuentes, Dave and Freddy Contreras, Freddy Lux, Ed West, Clinton Shuler, Amos Sotelo, Anthony Birchik and Dave Klein. They are all very passionate about their training and very good training partners.
FHTV: You had gone on a five fight losing streak to than go onto a five fight winning streak. What did you have to do in order to keep your morale up after losing five straight?
DF: Well my morale was never really hurt from losing those fights, because I honestly didn’t care and didn’t have any desire to win. So losing was almost expected going into those fights. Now I am very motivated and have the desire to succeed. I feel younger then I did when I was 19 and have my team mates with Team Scrub and daughter Thalia depending on my success.
FH: With wins over guys like Kenny Florian, Kurt Pellagrino, and Josh Koshchek, do you think the smaller promotions look at your name value and are scared you might run through their division or has your name been more of an asset when looking for fights?
DF: I think it has been more of an asset and now I am very happy with the opportunity Mark Pavelich has given me and think the Maximum Fighting Championship among the most elite fight shows out there.
FH: Do you feel that you will ever be able to fight in the UFC again?
DF: Yes.
FHTV: You started your career at the age of twenty. You are thirty one now. How much longer do you plan to fight for?
DF: Until I can’t anymore or until I want to do something else. I’m looking into going back to school and getting a teaching or music degree.
FHTV: In the past, you have had issues that have taken away from your fighting and made you more polarized for negative reasons. Is all of that behind you, and what do you have to say to all of your tenured fans?
DF: First of all I would like to thank all of my die-hard fans for sticking by me and second, life is only ahead of me and I’m sure there will be more obstacles that present themselves. As it relates to my issues of alcoholism which handicapped me for so long as an athlete and individual I am fully recovered and enjoying a life of sobriety and focus. However, in my day I never did anything to out of the ordinary when it comes to the drinking culture. It was only because my name was somewhat spotlighted by a mediocre celebrity status that people ever looked at me in that light. That being said I am very thankful for god and the friends around me and accept responsibility for all the negativity that happened during my 20s and look forward to the future with an optimistic and positive outlook.
FHTV: Speaking of negative attention, the illegal steroid talks of late, make me think that there will be a lot more positive test results in MMA. In your opinion, are there a lot of fighters on the gas that we turn a blind eye to?
DF: I think there is a large usage of “illegal” athletic enhancing drugs in every sport that the public has no idea about.
FHTV: What exactly is the protocol for testing in your experiences?
DF: I’ve been tested 3 times in my whole career. I think testing is a joke, either test everyone or don’t do it at all. In every sport.
FHTV: If you could fight anyone, what would be your dream match-up?
DF: BJ Penn. He is the best technician there has ever been. I would like to see how I match up with him technically.
FHTV: Have you ever thought about fighting for any promotions in Japan?
DF: I have dreamed about going to Japan/fighting in Japan my entire life.
FHTV: Well again Drew, we appreciate your time today. We anticipate your return to the cage April 8th against a very talented Hermes Franca. In closing, is there anything you would like to plug or any sponsors you want to give a shout out to?
DF: I would first like to thank God and my friends and family. Without them I would not be here today. May my dear friend Chris Rea Rest in Peace, I’m living every moment to it’s fullest buddy. To my sponsors, Internet Exposure www.i-e.ca, luvbel mixed martial arts label, full tilt poker, contract killer, north side brazilian jiu-jitsu www.nsbjj.com, my strength and conditioning coach Ediz Salazar with www.wefittucson.com, gamma-o, adolf Sanchez with cage fighter 360, Mark Pavelich for believing in me with www.maximumfighting.com, Keith McNesby who makes the world’s best subs at East Coast Super Subs, Devon Holden who helps with my PR, Anna Caffarel for being an amazing woman and helping me conquer my demons and reach my full potential and Lieutenant Christopher Brock 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines Division in Afghanistan. Come home safe brother. Thanks to my fans and be ready to watch me ride the night against Hermes Franca April 8th at the Caesar’s Palace in the Maximum Fighting Championship! www.drewfickett.net, Facebook me at andrewfickett and Andrew “Nightrider” Fickett.
