George Sullivan Ahead of UFC Debut "My Only Focus is Knocking Mike Rhodes Out"

Kingdom MMA Talks to George Sullivan Ahead of UFC on Fox 10
by Ben Heather @benheather

A Pro for over 7 years, George Sullivan has come a long way since making his pro debut back in 2006. With an impressive 14-3 record, the 32-year is currently enjoying a 6 fight winning streak, claiming and defending the CFFC welterweight title along the way – not bad for someone who got into MMA because he couldn’t find enough Thai boxing fights to satisfy his desire to fight.

Possibly Sullivan’s biggest achievement to date though is getting his call up to the UFC, a call that at one stage the Pellegrino fighter never thought he would get when a controversial Star-Ledger article came out about the dangers of MMA on the body and brain injuries. Sullivan was one of the fighters who had been part of the article which went in to great detail on what Sullivan puts his body through outside of the fight itself, including in depth details of a past weight cut and how hard it is to train as a MMA fighter.

Following the story Sullivan went to great lengths to express the story had taken a lot of what he does in the gym and before a fight out of context, that being said Sullivan felt the story might have affected his chances of one day fighting in the UFC.

"They lied to me and many others, they took 8 years of stories and turned it into what they wanted. Even why they wanted to interview us was a lie. I was afraid it made me look like I was careless and thoughtless when all I wanted was to help MMA. We thought we were showing how hard we worked and how dedicated we are. The other reason I was told [they wanted to interview me] was to help legalise MMA in New York. They only wanted to make us look bad and barbaric but in the long run the truth came out and we won not them! Just for the record my scans came back perfect. My brain has no signs of anything, they need to learn facts before printing it in the paper!"

As luck would have it the UFC did call and as far as Sullivan is concerned the thought of turning down a fight, short notice or not is not one which is in his mindset. This is ultimately what resulted in him signing with the UFC and the opponent didn't matter, he certainly wasn't going to say no.

"I was sitting at home and got a call from Kurt [Pellegrino] asking if I wanted to fill in and fight Pascal Krauss. We said yes right away. The next day they [the UFC] said the fight was off but they wanted to give me a contract anyway and I was beyond excited there is no one I won't fight, it didn't matter who. I just wanted to call myself a UFC fighter and show the world what I can do."

"I always wanted to be in the UFC and the feeling is so amazing words can not describe what I'm feeling. I'm so proud and honoured, I still have so much more to work for and I can't wait to climb this final ladder. I live for challenges and I just got accepted to the hardest challenge in the world. I can't wait to start... let's go!"

And go he shall straight into a fight with the much hyped prospect Mike Rhodes on the undercard of UFC of FOX 10 this Saturday. Even with Rhodes rolling in to the fight with all the hype he has, Sullivan hasn't changed his approach to training for this fight. Even admitting he "hasn't seen much tape on Rhodes" previous fights instead believing "that you never know what a fighter will do until they are stood in front of you" in the cage.

The biggest surprise to Sullivan is how much hype Rhodes is getting going in to the fight and he is "not sure why Mike Rhodes has so much hype other than the fact of who he trains with and where he trains."

Sullivan however is relishing coming in to this fight as the underdog and if anyone questions why he has been signed you just have to look at his record.

"I hope I'm the underdog because shutting people up is what "the silencer" does. I've knocked out 11 pros and I have nothing to prove, my only focus is knocking Mike Rhodes out. I hit extremely hard and my only goal is to hit and win, I look forward to this test."

Sullivan doesn't just turn up to try and steal a win on the judges score cards, he comes to fight and put on a exciting show for the fans. He already has a record which is scattered with wins over fighters who have fought at the top level including ex UFC and Bellator fighters and in most cases he won by stoppage.

"I'm known for knocking people out, anyone I hit gets KO'd. I'm always looking to land power strikes. Winning isn't enough, finishing is what I want to do. I try and make the fights as exciting as possible for myself and most importantly the fans!"

Last year Sullivan also won via TKO against Julian "Let me bang bro" Lane who famously appeared on The Ultimate Fighter. As usual, Julian was talking trash before the fight and after getting the TKO Sullivan was given his nickname "The Silencer" or more to the point his right hand is his silencer.

With Kurt Pellegrino as a coach, Sullivan knows he has had the best preparation possible for this camp and he will be in safe hands when it comes to fight night and he makes his way out to the Octagon for the first time.

"Training with Kurt is amazing, hard work and fun at the same time. Kurt and Mellisa Pellegrino changed my life. They run the best BJJ and MMA academy in New Jersey, we have amazing students and fighters. He also brings in some of the best wrestling coaches around including Dan Ocone, a NJ legend and black belt in judo. Being apart of Kurt gets you Matt Jennings, the best strength and condition coach hands down in point pleasant NJ and training under a UFC vet and a grappling world champ is simply amazing. I'm so blessed to have Kurt Pellegrino lead me into battle. A true leader, KPMMA all day!"

When it comes to how the fight will go on Saturday night George sees only one outcome.

"I see myself knocking Mike Rhodes out, I know he's a great striker but I'm the better MMA fighter. I can't wait to fight him, I live for this. UFC here I come."

UFC on Fox 10 takes place January 25 from the United Centre, Chicago, Illinois.