Ben Nguyen Is Happy To Fight In His Hometown At UFC Fight Night 91

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Ben Nguyen (14-5 MMA,2-0 UFC) spoke about fighting Louis Smolka (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in his hometown of Sioux Falls, South Dakota fo UFC Fight Night 91 tonight. The fight will open the main card. Here are highlights:

On fighting in Sioux Falls: “It’s like living a dream almost. I would have never thought the UFC would have come to my home town, Sioux Falls, but it just kind of came full circle for me. When I started my journey at Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand to train a little bit, I lived in Australia for a bit. And now I’m back here in Sioux Falls, my home town, for the UFC. I can’t even put words to describe it. It’s surreal – it’s like a dream. I can’t believe it’s happening because it’s in Sioux Falls. I should be on holiday – vacation mode, visiting family and eating at all the new places. Popeye’s chicken has popped up now – I so want to go there, but I’m saving that for after the fight.”

On being supported by people he knows: “Everyone except for my mom and dad (will be there). My mom’s probably going to hide in a closet somewhere. She can’t stand to watch me fight. But she does support me, though. It took a while – it took like eight years – but I finally got her support, and I can’t believe I have so much support now with my family and my friends and the whole community of Sioux Falls. I fought here eight years ago in Sioux Falls, in the fairgrounds. Now I’m fighting at one of the biggest stadiums in the state, so it’s awesome.”

On staying a step ahead of his opponent: “It’s quite a big jump up. He’s got a lot of range on him, so I feel like I can get in close and land some punches. I just feel like I’m better, technically, standing up, and even on the ground. I just feel like I’m solid. I’m a solid wrestler, grappler. I’ll settle with position and I don’t feel like he’ll be able to get a bite on me.”