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| Fighter News |
Introducing Amir Khillah
Amir is the newest pro fighter to the H.I.T. Squad. He comes from Cairo,
Egypt by way of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He lived in Kalamazoo for the past
13 years, where he operated Lightning Kicks Martial Arts and Fitness
Center.
What made you start fighting in MMA?
Amir: It was a natural progression for me, after wining the Taekwondo
collegiate nationals in 2004 and representing the US at the University
Olympics, I need to compete at an elite level and going pro in MMA was
the route I decided to take.
What weight do you fight at and how much do you walk around at?
Amir: I walk around at 170-175. I fight at 155.
How many fights have you had and what is your record?
Amir: I have had 4 MMA fights and my record is now
2-2 professionally.
What is your fighting style?
Amir: I started in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and boxing, then added BJJ to
arsenal, and now being apart of the H.I.T. Squad, I'm refining my
wrestling in an MMA specific way with one of the best MMA teams in the
world.
What is your strength?
Amir: My heart, I don't quit, I am a firm believer that you win fights
at training, not on fight night. Training with my new team will bring
you to the brink of breaking, but all I have to do is finish this
training session and I do. The H.I.T. Squad trains harder than anyone
I've ever seen. I've trained at the Olympic Training Center and at a few
other high level training camps, but the H.I.T. Squad trains harder!
What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Amir: Running my own gym made it super hard to exert myself to the
fullest, my team decided to launch me to the next level, so they all got
behind me and basically kicked me out of my gym and have me focus on my
fighting carrer. I decided to tryout for the H.I.T. Squad which is, in
my opinion, one of the best team in the world, and I was invited to join
the team, now I'm here full time!
What do you think of the HIT Squad facility?
Amir: The gym is phenomenal, everything a fighter will ever need and
more is here. Everyone here is on the same page, pushing each other to
new heights.
When and where is your next fight?
Amir: May 3rd, in Effingham, ILL.
Where are you living while you are training?
Amir: I live in an apartment right on the old base walking distance from
the gym. I live there with four other fighters.
What has been your best moment during your training at the HIT Squad?
Amir: Rolling with coach Hughes was a great honor, I grew up watching
him fight and idolizing him, then training with him is a great honor and
a lot of fun, that is till he submits me, that's not very enjoyable.
What has been your worst moment?
Amir: When you I get up from my nap to go to our second workout of the
day, and as I step out of bed I feel that I don't have any joints and
everything is just so sore and tight. You get used to it after a while.
What are your goals in MMA?
Amir: I have a long term goal of fighting in the big show, but I know
that must be accomplished by setting many smaller goals and objectives,
which I'm doing with the help of coaches Pena and Fiore and Robbie
Lawler.
What did you do before getting into MMA?
Amir: I trained and operated my own gym full time in addition to working
on my bachelors in Exercise Science and my masters in Sports Studies.
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Tommy Speer Prepares for Ultimate Fight Night
Tommy Speer is part of the HIT Squad and has been training full time at the facility for his upcoming fight for the UFC on April 2nd in Colorado. Tommy was runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter Reality Show season 6 on Team Hughes.
Who is your opponent for the UFC Fight Night and what do you know about him?
TOMMY: His name is Anthony Johnson. He is tall for a 170 pounder at 6' 2". He has a good right hand but is clueless on the ground and lacks cardio.
What have you been doing since the show ended?
TOMMY: I went back and worked on the farm. We have 142 dairy cows in Elgin, MN. They can't milk themselves. I also worked a lot on my ground game and getting stronger. I did a lot of work off my back.
How big is Elgin, MN?
TOMMY: When I am gone training at the HIT Squad they have 825 people. When I am home working on the farm they have 826 people.
How was it being on the Ultimate Fighter Show?
TOMMY: It was a great experience. It did a lot for my career. The down time on the show could drive a person insane though.
What do you think about the HIT Squad gym and training facility?
TOMMY: It is now my second family if that tells you anything. I love what the facility has to offer equipment wise but the guys I train with make me feel real comfortable. Everyone here is great. I was amazed that anyone could join the gym to just lift weights. They get to see a fight exhibition every night.
How is your training at the HIT Squad?
TOMMY: Very intense. It will push you to the highest level of fighting. It teaches you how to fight but it also teaches you how to beat the mental breakdown. We are pushed so hard in training that getting into the octagon will be easy.
How long have you been at the HIT Squad?
TOMMY: I have been training here for a little over one month. I will be training here to get ready for all my future fights. I'm part of their team and very happy about that.
Where are you living while training at the HIT Squad?
TOMMY: I am staying with Coach Fiore and his wife Annie at their home in Raymond Illinois. It is about an hour from the gym. Fiore is sort of like Mr. Miyagi from the karate kid. He has me doing odd jobs that he says will help my fighting, like taking his son to get his haircut and picking up things from Wal-Mart. I guess we will see. (laughs) The HIT Squad also has a fighters lounge with a leather couch that has sort of been my makeshift apartment during the day between training sessions.
How did you get into fighting?
TOMMY: I went to a local show in Rochester, MN when I was 20 years old. My ticket stub had a phone number on that said to call if you were interested in fighting. So I called. 6 months later had a fight. I had never watched a UFC fight before. I didn't start fight training until after that fight.
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Introducing Mario Stapel
Mario Stapel is a mixed martial artist that has traveled from Germany to the United States to train with the HIT Squad for an upcoming fight. Mario was born in Hebron, Germany and is 31 years old.
What made you start fighting in MMA?
Mario: I started training and competing in Thai boxing as a teenager. At age 16 I had become pretty successful so I decided to take on a new challenge and to test myself more.
What weight do you fight at and how much do you walk around at?
Mario: I walk around at 170-175. I fight at 155.
How many fights have you had and what is your record?
Mario: I have had 24 MMA fights since I started in 1996. My record is now 15-9.
What is your fighting style?
Mario: I wouldn't say that I have one style. I started in jiu jitsu and competed in Thai boxing so I'm comfortable on my feet and on the ground.
What is your strength?
Mario: I am a very technical fighter. I don't have great strength so I rely on my technique a lot.
What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Mario: I have my own gym in Germany. I have held MMA shows also. I lost three fights in a row. I gave myself two choices: retire or step it up to the next level. I decided to step up my training. I met a guy from Team Hughes when I fought Duane Ludwig. He got me in touch with Marc Fiore. Fiore and Hughes have a wrestling background so I knew that they could help me. There are so many great coaches and trainers here.
What do you think of the HIT Squad facility?
Mario: The gym is awesome! I have never seen a gym like this. I love the atmosphere. Has a military feel. The coaches are great, a little "ruthless". (laughs) Not used to the conditioning and power stuff. The other members of the team are helping me through. We push each other. I will be in the best shape of my life when I leave here.
When did you get to America and how long are you staying?
Mario: I arrived the day after their grand opening, February 10th. I am sorry I missed the grand opening, heard it was great. I leave on February 27th.
When and where is your next fight?
Mario: March 1st. I am fighting in England against Brazilian black belt Claude Herique.
What is the biggest difference between the cultures?
Mario: Americans are more proud of their country.
Where are you living in the United States while you are training?
Mario: I live in an apartment right on the old base walking distance from the gym. I live there with four other fighters.
What has been your best moment during your training at the HIT Squad?
Mario: Making it to the top of the HIT Squad gym's climbing rope. The first three times I couldn't make it. The conditioning has helped and my teammates pushing me.
What has been your worst moment?
Mario: I overslept one day and missed practice. Someone woke me up and was asking me why I wasn't at practice and if I was going to come here all the way from Germany to get better then I better start showing up for training. It was Matt Hughes. That was how I met him for the first time. He just happened to be teaching the class that I missed. I never missed again.
What are your goals in MMA?
Mario: I want to fight Duane Ludwig again. He beat me the first time. I want to fight some big name fighters and be successful.
What did you do before getting into MMA?
Mario: I was a kindergarten teacher for a couple years. I have a degree in education.
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