Nice and Quick with Sam Hoger by Tanner Rhoden

[Tanner Rhoden]

Nice and Quick with Sam Hoger
by Tanner Rhoden, Team IronLife.com Staff Writer, Photos courtesy of SamHoger.com



- Tanner Rhoden/Team IronLife.com: Sam, I would first like to thank you for conducting this interview with me for Iron Life. I know you keep a busy training schedule so we all appreciate you taking the time to do this.

Sam Hoger: No Problem Tanner, I'm always glad to do an interview, I'm sure you have been just as busy with all the UFC events coming up.

- I would first like to hear your thoughts on your fight with Jeff Newton. Did his ground game surprise you? What was it like fighting against his unique stand up skills? What adjustments did you have to make during the fight?

Jeff had a solid ground game that was a bit awkward. His flexibility enabled him to catch that arm bar from a funny angle. I didn't get to see much of his standup because I took him down as quick as I could. The jab he nailed me with was a solid one though it had a lot of snap on it.

- After your fight you called out Forrest Griffin. How much would it mean to you to get a rematch with him?

Right now that rematch with Forrest is in my the cross hairs. That is a thorn in my mind. I know I have to fight that guy again, he let his mouth run on that show and I have not forgotten that.



- Some members of out site were curious if you kept in touch with any of your old roommates from TUF Season 1? If so, who?

I have stayed in touch with Leben, Bonnar, and I see Raferty, Diego, Karalexis, and "Chillidog Willis" Alex Schonauer on occasion. Bonnar was a buddy of mine before the show, and we train together before my fights. He is a great training partner.

- You told me recently that you went down and helped out with Hurricane Katrina relief. I was hoping you could tell us all what that was like? How was it dealing with so many people that went through that tragedy?

I was down in the renaissance village in Baton Rouge, which is a trailer park provided by FEMA for the hurricane victims. While I was down there I helped set up a center where we handed out toys, cards, and books to people who were living in the village. It felt good to help the families that didn't have anything for their holidays and give them something for their children to enjoy.

- I'm curious what your thoughts were on TUF Season 2? The house didn't seem nearly as entertaining to a lot of viewers as it was with Season 1. Why do you think that is?

I was bored with the second season to be honest with you, there was no drama, nothing was interesting about the show other than the fights. I think part of the problem was that there were 3 rounds instead of 2 so that took away from the time of the show to build up the characters. The fights were fun to watch.

- Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell are having their rubber match on Feb. 4th at UFC 57. I was curious who you're taking in that fight and why?

I have always tried to predict fights but on this one I'm keeping my money in my pocket.

- Stephan Bonnar mentioned wanting to fight a legend after his first round victory over James Irvin. Is fighting a legend something high on your own priority list? Is this something young fighters often think about when coming up through the ranks?

I think fighting a legend is something that is earned not demanded. It would be cool to se Stephan wreck shop on a legend though because he is my boy. After holding a belt for a while then you can get a chance to etch your name into the history of UFC, at the expense of a legend. hahaha

- There have been rumors floating around the net about a possible fight between you and TUF Season 2 winner Rashad Evans. I was wondering what your thoughts on Rashad were? How do you view him as a fighter?

You want the answer to the question that has been floating around sherdog and mma.tv you can get in officially at www.samhoger.com