Issue 059
February 2010
Introducing one of the UFC’s latest signings, Fighters Only talks to the Australian version of Tito Ortiz: James Te Huna.
Q&A
Where are you right now?
I’m just in my hotel room in Vegas; I’m currently training at Wanderlei Silva’s gym.
How is the great man?
Yeah he’s cruising along, gearing up to start the serious stuff. I’m here with Wanderlei, Vitor Vianna [the jiu-jitsu coach], Mike Whitehead, and Thiago Silva has just arrived too. It’s just the four of us training together.
What do you remember about your first fight in MMA?
I had a fight in 2003 against Api Hemera, we clinched and he threw me and my arm popped out. I carried on but 20 seconds later he grabbed my arm, which was still out of the shoulder, so I just had to tap. That happened for about the next five years, my shoulder would pop out in training or during fights. The last time was two years ago when I took a fight on a few days’ notice against Hector Lombard, but you’ve got to train months for Hector Lombard – he’s a very good southpaw. He gave me a hiding, my shoulder came out again; so that was the moment I had shoulder surgery, and I haven’t had any problems since. I’ve won my last six, finishing the last four by TKO.
You work with Mark Hunt. How do you rate him?
He’s a top dude, he’s got natural talent, but if he had the right guys to work with he’d be real class in MMA.
How do you rate the Australian fight scene?
It’s okay. Australia has plenty of good athletes; we’ve got good jiu-jitsu guys, really good kickboxers and boxers, but it’s hard finding MMA sparring.
You’ve just been signed by the UFC. How did that conversation go?
My brother was actually the man who got me the contract and it’s just always a dream come true to fight in the UFC, especially coming from this part of the world. Not many guys get to fight in the UFC. I remember watching the first UFCs on DVD, so to be able to fight in it is awesome.
If you had to describe yourself as a fighter, what would you say?
Exciting. I’m kind of different to everyone else. I pick people up, I do big slams and then I go to town with my ground ‘n pound. The crowd always loves a slam!
Your losses largely come by submission, is it your weakness?
Yeah I guess so, although it’s not that clear cut. The first loss is down as a submission but it’s that one I mentioned where my shoulder popped. Then there was my third loss to Matt Knight, whose nickname is ‘Spanky’. I dominated the first round and he ended up in a position where his ass is facing me. I starting smacking his ass, Randy Couture-style against Tito Ortiz, and then a minute later I forced the stoppage. However, two days later their cornerman put in a complaint and the promotion reversed the fight. Now it’s officially recorded as disqualified for fence grabbing – which was allowed in that fight! I then lost to James Lee, which I was too green for, and then it was the Hector Lombard fight where the shoulder popped. So I’d admit my ground game is the weak point, but I’m working on it every day with Wanderlei and the guys.
Of all the UFC light heavyweights who would you really love to fight?
Probably Tito Ortiz, he was one of my idols and I’ve kind of based my game on his. People try to be Bruce Lee or something; I try to be Tito Ortiz!
And finally, your most memorable moment in MMA?
My fight against Takahiro Oba. I fought in Sydney and it was televised, but my shoulder popped out in the first minute as I tried sweeping from the bottom. The doctor couldn’t put it back in so I raced across to Mark Hunt, who yanked on it to put it back in, and I hung in for the rest of the fight to take the decision.
