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Fighter Detail Erik Koch  "New Breed" Born: IA, USA Fighting Out Of: Cedar Rapids, IA Age: 21 Height: 5' 9" (175 cm) Weight: 145 lbs. (66 kg) Overall MMA Record (W-L-D): 9-1-0 Strengths: Freestyle Languages Spoken: English

Erik Koch WEC™ Fight History:

Fighter Biography

Training: Get up, eat breakfast, go for my morning run. Then to the gym for some drill work. Take a nap, get up, go back to the gym at 4, do some mitt work, and more drilling. From 6 to 8 is hard practice, then off to the anvil for my conditioning.

When and why did you start training for fighting? Started as a little kid. I did Tae Kwon Do at the age of four and did that till I was ten. Then I picked up MMA from my brother and have been training ever since.

What ranks and titles have you held? I have held Mainstream MMA's title

Do you have any heroes? My brother and father - two hardworking men; I don’t know how they do it.

What is your favorite technique? Have too many to name.

What does it mean for you to fight in the WEC? It means everything to me. This is my dream, and it has been my dream since I can remember. There is nothing else for me.

What was your job before you started fighting? It has always been fighting.
 
Most memorable professional fight (who, where, why)? They all mean a lot to me. I put a lot of training into every fight and I cherish them all.

What was your most challenging professional fight (against who, when, what was the outcome)? Eric Wisely - the only guy to take me to a decision.

Who were your training partners for this fight? Mostly my brother, he pushes me the hardest, but my whole team has done a great job helping me out for this fight. Looking forward to training with my buddy Anthony Pettis for a couple weeks as well.

Did you put more emphasis towards a fighting style or adjust your training to prepare for your opponent (what did you do differently/why)? Mendes is a good wrestler, so I have been working with some good wrestlers and some bigger training partners for strength purposes. I have also been doing a lot of power lifting for some added strength.

What, other than WINNING, are you using for motivation for the fight? I want to put on a good show! This has the makings to be an explosive fight, and I want it to be fun to watch, but of course the biggest is winning. I hate to lose.

What is your favorite thing about this sport? The competition! It is such a hard sport, with so many ways to win and lose. That’s why I want to be in the WEC - to test myself with the best in the world.

How long do you see yourself staying in this sport? Until I can’t do it anymore!