Coming from Wyoming to fight in this weekends Ultimate Top
Team Fights is Andrew Kauppila. We had the chance to catch up with him…

FF: Andrew, can you tell the fans that don’t know you a
little about yourself? What type of fighter you are, your background and where
you’re training out of?

AK: Yeah, I’m training out of Rawlins Wyoming, at the
Raw Town Fight Club. Been training a little over two years now and I’m 7-2. I love
the sport. I had Just finished school in May of 09, and my buddy just happened
to be training at this gym that just opened, and I came down the day I moved
back and I’ve been here ever since. I’m primarily a stand up fighter and like
to keep it on the feet if possible, but if it goes to the ground, so be it. I’m
comfortable with my Jiu Jitsu…but I just like to bang.

FF: How’s training going?

AK: Pretty good. I have been in camp now for about four
weeks.

FF: Can you tell us a little bit about your opponent?

AK: Yes. That actually changed a couple weeks ago. It was
supposed to be Jesse Rivera out of Montrose. I actually don’t know much about
my current opponent, Nolan McLaughlin. I’ve only seen one fight on him. Looks
like a little bit of stand up, and I didn’t see much on the ground. Physically,
looks like he’s pretty well matched with me, he’s six feet tall like myself. So
it should be a fairly even match.

FF: I haven’t seen you fight since your war with Nick Laney.
Then not long after that, I had heard about you breaking your hand. Have you
fought since the fight with Nick?

AK: Actually just before I broke my hand I fought against
Miles Worth in Casper in February. I won the Kick Down Regional title.

FF: Okay…So tell us how you became involved with the
Ultimate Top Team show…

AK: I’m not sure how Bobby Lashley got in touch with my
trainer Damion, but I guess he heard about me and called up Damion to see if I
wanted to fight. I was supposed to fight at the end of July actually against
Marcus Edwards, but that show was rescheduled and I wasn’t able to fight him
because he had another fight scheduled shortly after the new date. It was
disappointing because I was going to fight Edwards, pretty much Colorado’s
number one ammy lightweight.  So we
stayed in contact with Lashley and got on this card.

FF: So is that a fight you would like to have somewhere down
the road?

AK: I am for sure. Hopefully it comes up sometime later…all
in good time I guess.

FF: what can you do, right? So, not knowing anything about
your opponent, does that get into your head at all coming into this fight?

AK: Sometimes that can kind of hinder what you want to do
but, really you just gotta be prepared in all aspects of the game anyway. I
mean no matter what even if you know the guy, there’s always something
unexpected that can happen or there is always something that can cause your
game plan to change. Its always dynamic, so you always have to be prepared for
anything that comes at you.

FF: Well after seeing your fight with Laney, I know you’re
tough and well rounded so I imaging you’ll be able to weather any storm.

AK: Yeah, that one…I was pretty disappointed by that fight.

FF: Well it was an impressive showing anyway. Any sponsors
or anybody you would like to thank?

AK: No I currently do not have any sponsors. So I would like
to thank all my friends and family. My girlfriend and Damion for teaching me
everything I know.

FF: Andrew thanks for taking the time to speak with us and I
look forward to seeing your fight.

AK: Thank you.