By Monta Wiley
Since challenging Jose Aldo for the featherweight championship at UFC 140 it has been a rocky road for Mark “The Machine” Hominick. However despite the hardships, it has only fueled his desire and motivated him to become the best in MMA. Hoping to make a comeback from a two fight losing skid, Hominick (20-10) returns to the octagon at UFC 145, Saturday April 21, 2012 in Atlanta,GA.to fight former Tachi Place Fight Champion Eddie Yagin (15-5-1) in a high stakes encounter, which could be a “loser leaves town” scenario.
Fight Hub TV recently spoke with Hominick on how the setbacks have motivated him and his thoughts on his upcoming fight.
FHTV: In your previous encounters you suffered two consecutive losses to Jose Aldo and Chan–Sung Jung. Although losing is a tough thing for any fighter, what can you say is the positive thing came out from your losses?
Mark Hominick: It is always tough to deal with a loss, but at this level when you are facing top competition in the UFC every fight is dangerous. The learning experience I can take from the Aldo loss is that I proved to others as well as myself that I belong with the best in this division, and with a few modifications I truly can be the champion at 145lbs. The “Korean Zombie” was a difficult pill to swallow, but I learned that when you fight out of character you sometimes have to deal with the harsh consequences.
FHTV: Since that time how have you improved as a fighter?
Mark Hominick: I think most of the changes after the fight were mental, since I did everything possible physically to prepare for the fight.
FHTV: What were some of those mental changes you improved on?
Mark Hominick: Coming off of a loss I feel you have to be motivated to get back in the gym and fixed your mistakes. It is not that I had to really make a lot of mental changes, just to be motivated to get back and be focused on coming back strong.
FHTV: You will be returning to the octagon against Eddie Yagin, what do you know about you opponent?
Mark Hominick: Eddie is a veteran of the sport and someone who I have known for quite some time. I remember fighting in Hawaii almost ten years ago with Superbrawl in my third pro fight and Eddie was one of the main event fighters who had quite a bit of experience at that point. He is a fighter that always comes to fight and has a tremendous amount of power in his right hand as well as a tight guillotine.
FHTV: How have you been preparing for the upcoming bout?
Mark Hominick: We have a very strong group of training partners at Adrenaline Training Center in London,Ontario. Traditionally for a fight I will reach out to training partners from outside to aid in training areas that are strong points of my opponent, which I will do again.
FHTV: How important is winning this fight for your career?
Mark Hominick- This fight is extremely important not only for bringing me back into the winning column and back on track, but to silence any critics and prove I belong with the best fighters in the world at 145lbs
FHTV: What can fans expect to see from Mark Hominick at UFC 145?
Mark Hominick: This fight is a career defining moment for where I am at and where I am going. I am preparing and going out there to win.
FHTV: Finally, when people looked back at the fighter Mark Hominick, how would you want to be remembered in your career?
Mark Hominick: I would always like to be remembered as a fighter who fought and trained with a lot of passion. I truly love what I do and have committed my entire life towards reaching the goal of being a world champion.
FHTV: When you are on the cards in Canada, is there any added pressure for you fighting in your home country?
Mark Hominick: I enjoy fighting in front of my home country for sure, there is no real time change or travel time with getting to the fights and it feels as though I am in my comfort zone.
FHTV: Do you have any final thoughts or anyone you would like to thank?
Mark Hominick: The amount of support I have been receiving has been extremely overwhelming and greatly appreciated. It is very motivating knowing that I have a great family and fan base behind me.
