Studio 540 Superfight: Felipe Pena vs Gordon RyanDec 15, 2016 by Hywel Teague
Felipe Pena Discusses Upcoming Superfight With Gordon Ryan
Felipe Pena Discusses Upcoming Superfight With Gordon Ryan
Felipe "Preguica" Pena, an ADCC silver medalist, is set to face off against EBI champion Gordon Ryan in a 60-minute, submission-only superfight at Studio 540 in Solana Beach, California, on Saturday, Dec. 17.
Felipe "Preguica" Pena, an ADCC silver medalist, is set to face off against EBI champion Gordon Ryan in a 60-minute, submission-only superfight at Studio 540 in Solana Beach, California, on Saturday, Dec. 17.
We were able to chat with Pena, who is also an IBJJF and Abu Dhabi World Pro black belt world champion, this week to get his thoughts on Ryan and the match. Read below for the full interview with the Grace Barra standout.
FloGrappling: Gordon is very well-known to call out the best to fight against him under sub-only rules. It's interesting that you chose to accept the match. How and why did you decide to face him?
Pena: I think that it's very easy to call anybody out to fight in the rules you choose. He only competes under the rules that he's accustomed to train and fight in, like with the heel hook, which is something that is banned in the majority of competitions.
You don't have this with me. I accepted the match in the way that he wanted, as I like challenges. I'm not scared of him. I think it'll be a different challenge for me under these rules.
He's very well-known as a troll, and he always talks s**t about his opponents before his matches. It seems you decided to avoid all of this, and he even said that you blocked him on Facebook. What are your thoughts on this subject?
I don't know him personally. I never spoke with him, and I don't really like his attitude. But anybody can say what they want, and everybody's got their own personality. The match will happen anyway, and I prefer to look for attention in the match, not on the internet.
Technically, he's young, but he's already shown that he's very proficient with the leglocks. Did you study his game? What do you think about his jiu-jitsu?
He really is very good with the heel hooks. I personally think a jiu-jitsu competitor has to be complete, but everybody has got their own style. I studied the positions to get used to them, and I'm prepared.
How do you feel about the rules? One hour, submission-only, with Eddie Bravo's overtime rules.
They're the rules that he chose, but I accepted and I can't complain. I will be happy to have a match with him under normal rules too, but I am sure he wouldn't accept.
Finally, your prediction for the match?
The training went perfectly, I'm well-prepared, with no injures and hungry for this fight. I'll bring it.
STREAMING: Available only on FloGrappling for $20 monthly or $150 yearly. A yearly FloPRO subscription provides access to ALL FloSports sites. SIGN UP HERE
We were able to chat with Pena, who is also an IBJJF and Abu Dhabi World Pro black belt world champion, this week to get his thoughts on Ryan and the match. Read below for the full interview with the Grace Barra standout.
FloGrappling: Gordon is very well-known to call out the best to fight against him under sub-only rules. It's interesting that you chose to accept the match. How and why did you decide to face him?
Pena: I think that it's very easy to call anybody out to fight in the rules you choose. He only competes under the rules that he's accustomed to train and fight in, like with the heel hook, which is something that is banned in the majority of competitions.
You don't have this with me. I accepted the match in the way that he wanted, as I like challenges. I'm not scared of him. I think it'll be a different challenge for me under these rules.
He's very well-known as a troll, and he always talks s**t about his opponents before his matches. It seems you decided to avoid all of this, and he even said that you blocked him on Facebook. What are your thoughts on this subject?
I don't know him personally. I never spoke with him, and I don't really like his attitude. But anybody can say what they want, and everybody's got their own personality. The match will happen anyway, and I prefer to look for attention in the match, not on the internet.
Technically, he's young, but he's already shown that he's very proficient with the leglocks. Did you study his game? What do you think about his jiu-jitsu?
He really is very good with the heel hooks. I personally think a jiu-jitsu competitor has to be complete, but everybody has got their own style. I studied the positions to get used to them, and I'm prepared.
How do you feel about the rules? One hour, submission-only, with Eddie Bravo's overtime rules.
They're the rules that he chose, but I accepted and I can't complain. I will be happy to have a match with him under normal rules too, but I am sure he wouldn't accept.
Finally, your prediction for the match?
The training went perfectly, I'm well-prepared, with no injures and hungry for this fight. I'll bring it.
How to Watch: Felipe Pena vs. Gordon Ryan
ON TV: Now available on Roku and Apple TV 4 -- download the FloSports app today.STREAMING: Available only on FloGrappling for $20 monthly or $150 yearly. A yearly FloPRO subscription provides access to ALL FloSports sites. SIGN UP HERE