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Louisville MMA's Jason Weihe, John Troyer, and Mike Fleniken
The "Crazii Cajun"
Mike "The Crazii Cajun" Fleniken is a professional mixed martial artist fighting out of Louisville, Kentucky, as a member of the Louisville MMA Fight Team. Mike had a 5-0 amateur record and currently holds a professional record of 2-2. His last fight (Bellator 23 - Louisville) resulted in a submission loss to Team Oxendine fighter, Stoney Hale. The Louisville MMA Examiner (LME) had a chance to speak to Mike (MF) about his recent loss and his preparations for his bout with Danny "The Hammer" Surface on the July 17 MMA Big Show card at the Bellator Casino Resort & Spa.
Lessons Learned
LME: You lost an all-out war via rear-naked choke at the hands of Team Oxendine fighter, Stoney Hale, at Bellator 23. What lessons did you learn from that experience, and how has it affected your approach to training?
MF: That was a great fight and Stoney is a tough dude, nothing but respect for him, but one lesson I learned was that I came into the fight and was too anxious and not patient enough at different parts of the fight. I think I should have finished the fight at a couple different points but it is a lesson learned and time to move on, but my approach to training stays the same.
LME: You mentioned the other night at Derby City MMA that you want to go back to your roots as a brawler. Do your Louisville MMA Fight Team coaches agree with that sentiment?
MF: My coaches agree with me but do not want me to go in there mindless and do something stupid.
LME: You are replacing T.J. Ball on the 7/17 "MMA Big Show" card, roughly three weeks after competing at Bellator 23 in Louisville. How has training for this fight been, considering the relatively short time to prepare?
MF: I took a few days off after Bellator to relax and then began prepping like I would for any fight.
LME: Your MMA Big Show opponent is Danny "The Hammer" Surface. His official website says that he "has an extensive background in fighting but has become well-rounded in ju-jitsu [sic]. With heavy hands and a steel chin, "The Hammer" is a force to be reckoned with." Do you plan on testing his "steel" chin, or testing his jiu-jitsu in this fight?
MF: The plan is to get into the cage like 2 roosters and pit it out. The plan for me, and I would assume him also, is to put on the best show possible for the fans.
LME: Danny surface has fought as high as heavyweight in his career but now fights down at 185. Do you anticipate giving up anything in terms of strength to Surface? If so, how do you plan on dealing with it?
MF: When I started training I was a solid 250, so I do not think strength will be a problem. We will gut check each other and see who has more heart.
LME: Do you want to give any "shout outs" or thanks to anyone that has helped you prepare for this fight?
MF: My trainer, Jason Weihe, and the whole Louisville MMA crew, the guys out at Derby City for letting me come in and train with them, guys out at Core, and the boys out in Lexington at 4 Seasons where I began training, and one of my main training partners, Matt Demichele. Also, I would like to thank my girl, Melissa, and the boys for supporting me and putting up with the mood swings when prepping for a fight. I just want to thank her for being there.
You can watch Mike Fleniken fight on July 17, 2010 at MMA Big Show's "All or Nothing" at the Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Florence, Indiana. "All or Nothing" can also be seen on national television on channel 354 (DirecTV).
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