After fighting for two promotions–the International Fight League and Affliction–that went out of business while he was under contract, top lightweight prospect Chris Horodecki has finally found his way into the Zuffa fold after signing an exclusive contract with World Extreme Cagefighting, the sister organization to the UFC. Currently scheduled to face off against up and coming striker Anthony Njokuani in one of the featured bouts of WEC 45, which takes place December 19 from The Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada, Horodecki is focused on only one thing: getting into title contention.
Tapology’s Steven Kelliher recently caught up with Horodecki to discuss the relief at signing with a seemingly stable MMA organization for the first time in his career, his training heading into his upcoming fight, and his excitement to take on the top names in the WEC’s lightweight division heading into 2010.
Tapology: How do you feel about your career thus far and are you happy with your success thus far?
Horodecki: I’ve just been taking it one fight at a time. I haven’t been making plans, just plugging away. I’m happy with where I am and I think I’ve really earned everything.
Tapology: I know you have a close relationship with Shawn Tompkins. Is he the reason you got into professional MMA?
Horodecki: I was always a fan of the sport—he was my first trainer in MMA—but I was interested and wanted to get involved and when I met him my whole career took off. I started fighting in kickboxing, rolling on the ground, training wrestling, so obviously without him I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.
Tapology: Audiences really got to know you as a fighter in the IFL. How did that experience change you as a fighter and as a person?
Horodecki: Fighting-wise, it got me a lot of exposure and it kept me really active. It was a demanding schedule, but I also managed to get to the point where guys I really looked up to like Bas Rutten were now peers of mine, so that was really cool.
Tapology: You had a lot of great wins in the IFL, but you also had your only career loss to date against Ryan Schultz in a rematch of your first fight. Is that one that you’d like to get back?
Horodecki: For sure. One day down the road, if things line up correctly, we can definitely do that one again.
Tapology: You have not had good luck with the last two major promotions you have fought for. How frustrating was that and how much of that lead you to sign with Zuffa?
Horodecki: It was frustrating because I put the time and effort in. You really earn the fight in the weeks leading up to it. Victory is just the reward for all of the sacrifice and hard work you put in, so it was very frustrating, but you move on. Affliction decided they were going to just focus on what they have always done, and my manager took care of where I should go. I think I found a great spot—Zuffa, the WEC, is going to be exciting and I’m happy to be here.
Tapology: How are you feeling physically at this stage?
Horodecki: 100%. I feel great, I’m rested, ready to go, and I’m going to peak right when I’m supposed to. I have no complaints.
Tapology: You are very young at 22. Is there any concern that you might hit your peak too soon or that you will not be able to fight as long as you might want to because you started so early?
Horodecki: I take pretty good care of myself. I think I have an advantage starting so young. I have a little bit of a head start so maybe I won’t have to fight until I’m 45 or 46.
Tapology: Back to signing with the WEC, do you know what went into the decision of putting you into the WEC lightweight division rather than the UFC?
Horodecki: Like I said, I stay out of that, but I think the WEC 155lb division is really open, anyone is in contention for the title right now, so I think it’s a great spot for me to show my skills and be available for the fans basically.
Tapology: Do you think they are looking to build you up as a star in the WEC?
Horodecki: I hope so. I don’t know, but I’m real happy, and I hope to become the champ, for sure.
Tapology: You’re at 155lbs right now, but would you be capable of moving down in weight?
Horodecki: I don’t think that’s going to happen. I have been fighting at this weight since I was 18 and I feel comfortable here. 145 is a long way to go from where I’m at.
Tapology: What have you been focusing on in this training camp?
Horodecki: It’s MMA; you’ve got to train everything. We know Anthony’s strong point is definitely his stand-up, but we’re going to be ready.
Tapology: How do you think you match up with him in terms of the stand-up game? Do you think you are the more technically skilled striker?
Horodecki: Definitely. He is skilled on his feet, but I’ve done this for a long time too, man, I’m coming ready, and this is definitely going to be a banger.
Tapology: Looking forward, do you see anyone in the WEC lightweight division with the kickboxing skills to match you aside from a guy like Donald Cerrone?
Horodecki: The lightweight division has a fair share of stand-up guys. Cerrone, Ratcliff, my opponent right now, Razor Rob—the lightweight division is stacked in terms of strikers.
Tapology: Would you rather be in a class stacked with strikers than anything else?
Horodecki: Definitely, it’s what I love to do. That’s what the fans want to see.
Tapology: Being in a secure promotion like the WEC, are you looking to make up lost time by fighting more often?
Horodecki: Yeah, that is one of the reasons we went there, the security. When they have fights, 99% of the time the show is going to go through.
Tapology: Are you excited to test yourself against guys like Cerrone, Henderson, and Varner?
Horodecki: All of those guys. We can have a round robin tournament. All of the fights are potential Fight of the Year candidates. Everyone there can bang. Henderson is a wrestler, but he can throw down. Cerrone, we have seen what he can do. The possibilities are endless.
Tapology: Short-term, what do you hope to accomplish in the WEC?
Horodecki: 100% I want to get into title contention. If you’re in this sport, you’re in it to be a champion, so that’s what I’m here for.
Tapology: Long-term, we mentioned your young age, your upside, so is the UFC in your sights yet or are you completely focused?
Horodecki: Not at all. The task at hand is the WEC and Njokuani, so that’s all that is in my head right now.
Tapology: What can you confidently guarantee fans now that you’re in the WEC?
Horodecki: Definitely one of the best fights of the year—a treat to cap off 2009.
Tapology: Thanks for the time and good luck on December 19.
Horodecki: Thank you.
