Louis Smolka Feels the Pressure to Win at UFC Fight Night 141

Louis Smolka spoke with MMAjunkie ahead of his fight with Sumudaerji Sumudaerji at UFC Fight Night 141. Highlights are below:

On getting called back to the UFC: “They told me to do two fights then I’ll get back in and I ended up having a third. I was just kind of getting worried that it wasn’t going to happen. I was getting worried because it was taking a while, but it worked out because it’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time is move up in weight. Weight cuts are pretty bad for me. I cut carbs out like two weeks out and every time I’ve had to make the weight it’s been pretty brutal. I’m happy to be done with that.”

On the rumors that the UFC is cutting the flyweight division: “They’re going to cut whoever loses. I think I have to win this fight (to stick around). I think it’s a four-fight contract, but I’ve got to win this. It’s pressure, but I’m just trying to win. I’m going to put on a good show and I’m going to go out there and fight. I’m going to get this win. I’m going to get it not matter what.”

On getting his life back on course: “I gave up drinking, I moved my family out here to Team Oyama and I’m working hard just to get my career back in order. My fiancé sent me out here to California because she wanted me to change something because she was sick of watching me lose, she didn’t like me being drunk all the time and knew something was wrong with the way I was drinking, the way I was training and the way the fights were going. She knew I needed a change.”

On how he’s feeling: “I feel good without drinking anymore. My body is firing better, my muscles are better, I can eat more, I’m not as bloated. I’m not waking up hungover every day. That sucked. I forgot what it felt like to wake up not hurt.”

On Sumudaerji: “I have no idea who he is but I’m not in a position to care. I’m just thankful for the opportunity. There’s not much footage of him. He likes to come out and swing and finish fast, that’s what it seems like. A pretty explosive striker, and pretty wild.”