Mongolia’s Wang An Ying shone in the UFC’s ‘The Ultimate Fighter: China’ edition, although he was eliminated in the semi-final round by Wang Sai.
Ten Questions with Wang An Ying ahead of TUF: China Finale
The Chinese fighter is still relatively young in his Mixed Martial Arts career, despite having multiple Sanda and Muay Thai fights under his belt in the past. He’s a product of China’s prestigious Xi’an Sport University, a camp known for producing credible Chinese fighters. W
Wang, who has had at least four pro MMA bouts despite his 1-0 record on Sherdog, takes on Albert Cheng on Saturday night’s preliminary portion of the TUF: China Finale card in Macau, China.
Like Wang, Cheng was eliminated in the semi-final round of the Welterweight tourney as well, but was impressive enough during his tenure in the house and was hence awarded a spot on the finale card.
MMASucka.com recently caught up with the Wang ahead of his fight this weekend, and the Chinese fighter partook in ten questions (with the help of a translator):
1. You’re finally making your long awaited UFC debut. How does it feel to be fighting in the world’s largest fight promotion?
“I am happy to be able to fight in Macau. I did not win in the semi finals however the UFC is giving me a second chance which is really nice of them. The UFC is just establishing in China, I hope that I will be able to build my career along with the UFC entering China and become a Chinese UFC champion.”
2. Tell us about yourself. Can you let us know how you got into the fight game? What prompted you to start martial arts?
“I was recruited into the Xi’an Sanda Team at the Xi’an Sports Institute. Many people from my hometown are Sanda Champions such as Bao Li Gao, Dai Shuang Hai, Ao Hai Lin, etc., thus I grew up to being in martial arts looking up to my hometown heroes. My ethnic identity is Mongolian and in our culture all men/boys have to learn how to ride horses, shoot bows and also wrestle. Thus combat is something I have been exposed to since I was a child.”
3. With only a few fights to your credit, do you think the lack of experience will hamper your UFC career?
“I have had four MMA fights in China. I think that for my weight division if compared to fighters in America, I am at disadvantage because my ground game is weak. However in Asia I am considered very big, because normally I walk around at a bit over 80kg/176-lbs. I have had many Sanda fights and Muay Thai fights thus stepping up against anyone is not a problem for me.”
4. As for octagon jitters, promotional newcomers are known to have experienced them. Do you think that’s going to be a factor come fight night?
“I don’t think I will have the jitters, this is what I train for, whether in a ring or a cage, I am there to beat my opponent.”
5. For your first UFC fight, you’re training out of Phuket Top Team, one of the most well known fight camps in Asia right now. How has PTT helped you in your growth as a mixed martial artist? Why did you decide to train there?
“I have learned some new skills there and also practiced a game plan that is very different to the way I normally fight. For sure it has improved my ability to fight. The training at PTT (Phuket Top Team) is very different than our institute, where we train in blocks of 2 to 3 hour sessions. Here at PTT, we do one hour sessions and at the end of the class the training gets a bit more intensive.
I decided to train at PTT because it is freezing cold in Inner Mongolia and also my coach thinks it’s a good idea that I get some exposure to different training partners and fighting styles.”
6. Talk about your experience in TUF: China. What did you take out of it? Do you see yourself as a better, improved fighter now?
“It was a strange experience for me, being in a house with no TV, no phone, and cameras in all corners.
I will only know (if I’ve improved or not) when I face my opponent and be able to utilize my skills.”
7. You’re set to face Albert Cheng. What are your thoughts on fighting him?
“My classmate knocked him out, and I think I will have to hand him his second knockout defeat. Albert has good BJJ, so we will just have to see if he can catch me first or I knock him out first.”
8. How are you approaching the fight against Cheng? What do you believe are his strengths and weaknesses?
“Albert’s background is in BJJ, so it’s only logical that I avoid his charges and keep my distance. I don’t think his game plan is to go standing with me. For sure he will keep to what he is good at and I will keep to what I am good at.
I am not sure how many other fights he has had outside of UFC thus it would affect his experience under pressure. He is a fitness trainer so I expect that he would have good cardio – strength I am not so sure about. BJJ is only good if he can catch me. His strength is only relevant if I am taken down.
Albert has good BJJ, but weak striking and weak footwork. I think I am stronger than him too. It will be interesting to see how the fight goes.”
9. You’ve spent a good number of weeks living with Cheng under one roof. Do you see that as an advantage or disadvantage?
“I like Albert, it’s not always easy to fight someone you know. I think I will have to put that part of our life aside and deal with what we are there for which is to defeat each other. I am sure he wants to win just as much and once the cage doors are closed there will be no mercy.”
10. Obviously a win over Cheng grants you a lucrative contract. But on a personal level, what will a win do for your career and your mindset?
“It basically means I wont have to fight in Sanda events and just fight in UFC. The contract is a dream to have because I will have to get KO or performance of the night for all my fights to get that.”
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Wang An Ying battles Albert Cheng in the preliminary portion of tomorrow night’s ‘TUF: China’ finale event. Headlined by a Welterweight bill between John Hathaway and Dong Hyun Kim, along with a featured co-main event pitting TUF: China Welterweight tourney finalists Wang Sai and Zhang Li Peng against one another, the entire fight card will be carried on UFC Fight Pass beginning 6:20 a.m. ET.
To check out the full fight card for TUF: China Finale, click here.
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