Interview with Sami Berik

by Jimmy Boogaloo

Team IronLife.com Staff Writer

Sami Berik has earned a reputation on the UK circuit for being one of the most spirited fighters out there.

Taking on all comers, Sami's record is far from perfect, but with a recent string of victories he has caught

the eye of the Pride Fighting Championships, lining up a fight against the Lightweight Champion, Takanori

Gomi for May 2007. Sami took a moment after training to talk about his recent challenges and his up-

coming fight at Cage Rage Contenders against Roughhouse fighter, Andre Winner.

Jimmy Boogaloo/Team IronLife.com: What’s your background in martial arts?

Sami Berik: It’s a mixture of stuff, I started Wing-Chun when I was 14 – there were a few karate classes and

kickboxing classes, but the Wing Chun was what I really got into. When my instructor moved back to

Cyprus, I found a guy called Neil Roziak who had a Thai Chi background, but he also had an MMA

background.

I did a lot of work with him, lot of emphasis on padwork, kettlebells for explosive strength, I done loads of my

stand up there, but we never had any mats there so I didn’t really have the chance to do any floor work up

until February of this year I’ve never started a proper class of real grappling. I’ve just had a month with Lee

Hasdell last year or so and then I had a month with Rob Solski, but he moved to Australia – then I finally

started with Eddie (Kone). It’s been proper hardcore training.

For more click here: http://www.ironlife.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79408

- From Ironlife.com with a little editing from us (color, etc...)

(11/11/06)