Notes from the Midwest Fight Scene

It’s the weekend after Valentine’s Day and what better time to snuggle up for some incredible fights? The Midwest is bursting at the seams with action (MMA action, that is)!

On the eve of his King of the Cage debut against “Krazy Horse” Charles Bennett (Pictures), Jeff Curran (Pictures) takes a moment to share his thoughts with Sherdog.

Sherdog: “Krazy Horse” is ranked third in KOTC behind bantamweight champion Urijah Faber (Pictures) and is coming off of a win in PRIDE. Are these factors you look at going into this fight? Does this intimidate you at all?

Jeff Curran (Pictures): Not intimidated at all. I haven't been where he has been. He hasn't been where I have been. His win in PRIDE is [against] a nobody — someone with zero skill. It is a popular fight for him, but not a big accomplishment in my eyes. Either way, I am always looking to take a step forward, not back.

Sherdog: Do you have a specific game plan? Do you plan to stand-up with Bennett where he appears more comfortable or take him down?

Curran: I don't have much of a plan for the fight. I respect him for being tough, but I am not afraid to stand with him.

Sherdog: Has your training and preparation for this fight been the same or different than fights in the past?

Curran: Pretty much the same. I focused more on making sure my clinch timing is down more than normal. I also worked on taking more shots than normal just in case we end up standing and letting it fly. [I’ve been training for] maybe about two weeks. Decent. I knew about the fight six weeks ago, but normal life and business hasn't allowed the schedule. I am always in fight shape though.

Sherdog: You have many things going right now: your team, your gym, your own promotion and you're newly married! How do you manage it all?

Curran: I don't know how I manage it all. My wife is 100 percent supportive, and I also have two new puppies. … My gym is growing huge. My team is kicking butt. My show (XFO) is solid. Life is good!

Sherdog: Speaking of your team, you’re no longer Team Lynxx. Why and when did this change?

Curran: I just wanted my own identity. I wanted to have my success be the catapult for my business. I guess that's why.

Sherdog: I have to ask: Where did your nickname "The Big Frog" come from and what does it mean?

Curran: It means sapao in Portuguese and my friend Mica Ciparelli gave me the name back in 1999 when he saw me warming up the class and having a tattoo of a frog on my back. Sort of stuck.

Sherdog: What is next for you? Do you have another fight coming up? Another promotion?

Curran: Next on the list is my second pro boxing bout. It is Comcast Sports Net at the All State Arena in Chicago on April 12 for Bobby Hitz Boxing Promotions. That is my next focus. It will be aired on national television, and I will be doing my first six-round fight at 140 pounds.

Sherdog: That is great. Anything else you want to add?

Curran: Get ready for the best KOTC yet. Don't miss the PPV on March 10th.

Menne Promotes Extreme Challenge

Also on Friday night, Dave Menne (Pictures) will host Extreme Challenge at the Medina Entertainment Center in Minnesota. The fight card is as follows:

Shannon Ritch (Pictures) vs. Brock Larson
Dan Swift (Pictures) vs. Roger Huerta (Pictures)
Jeremy Coomer vs. Rich Scherer
Nate Homme vs. Nate Bleyle
John McElroy vs. Erik Jenks
Adam Hopper vs. Chad Reiner
Chalen Rader vs. Tyler Larson
Mike Van Meer vs. Ben Uker
Roland Larson vs. Eric Kline
Dane Dornebush vs. Dan Wheatley
Norm Waters vs. Ryan Willette
Sean Fagan vs. Josh Sprague