Interviews

MMA manager: So finally you are back on track and one more UFC fight is knocking on the door for you?

Goran Reljic: Yes, I really can’t wait for it.
 
 
MMA manager: How long where you out of training and fighting and why?

Goran Reljic: I had a long lay off because of the back surgery, I was out for one year.
 
 
MMA Manager: What exactly happened, how did you get injured?

Goran Reljic: I got injured on training, preparing for the fight with Thales Leites.
 
 
MMA Manager: How difficult was the procedure with the doctors in order to get you on the training mat again? 
Goran Reljic: It was very difficult, some of them told me I am not going to be able to fight and that I should quit. But I am here to prove that every man with strong and good will can do impossible things.

 
 
MMA Manager: Could you tell us something about your surgery, how long was it and how long you had to be in bed after surgery?

Goran Reljic: Uf its hard even thinking about that, horrible experience I went to doctors’ so many times, surgeries, rehabilitations. Couple times I was better, started training and just went back to hospitals and start everything all over, it wasn’t nice at all. I don’t want that to happen to anyone what happened to me.
 
 
MMA Manager: Have you done the surgery in US or Croatia?

Goran Reljic: I have done the surgery in Croatia.
 
 
MMA Manager: So now you are ready to fight or you still have some medical issues?

Goran Reljic: Now I am ok and ready to fight.
 
 
MMA Manager: How long have you been preparing for this fight so far and when did you start training after surgery?

Goran Reljic: I started training in Zadar in my gym and then I went to London and Las Vegas to Extreme couture to finish my camp there.
 
 
 
MMA Manager: So now you are in Sidney Australia, how was you trip and how you feeling?

Goran Reljic: Since I flew from Las Vegas To Croatia and 3 days after right to Australia which is the farthest continent from Croatia I have spent about fifty hours in airplane. That is the reason why I came couple days earlier than rest of the fighters. On the top of that Burt is tough here and will take more time for me to cut all that weight. But after all I don’t feel that bad.

MMA Manager: Is there any particular place where you are doing your last steps before fight here in Sydney?

Goran Reljic: Yes I am training at Sinosic & Perosh training camp.

 
MMA Manager: What are your thoughts CB Dollaway?

Goran Reljic: He is a very good fighter, great wrestler with a good base and solid stand up skills.
 
 
MMA Manager: What do you know about him?

Goran Reljic: Not much really.
 
 
MMA Manager: Since he is great wrestler, what is your game plan and how are you going to prepare for him?

Goran Reljic: Wrestling a lot with Olympic wrestlers, Nik Fekete and Randy Couture.
 
 
MMA Manager: Whom will you train with to prepare for him?

Goran Reljic: I am training in Extreme couture with all the guys who are really helping me with everything.
 
 
MMA Manager: How do you think the fight is going to finish?

Goran Reljic: Prediction is not really my business. I will stick to the fighting and do my job.
 
 
MMA Manager: Ok lets talk about you being Middleweight, I have seen you fighting in heavy weight and now you went down to 185lbs, how did you decide to do that and what do you think about that category?

Goran Reljic: It’s a long story, I have a big frame for all divisions, I want to try middleweight now, I am dieting ok and feeling great.
 
 
MMA Manager: Most of the European fighters don’t believe about dropping weight, why?

Goran Reljic: It was the same with me in the beginning of my UFC carrier, but soon as I stepped to the top Training centers in US and talked to my manager I have seen it totally different about cutting weight and how important that is in sport when you are fighting someone who is 10 pounds or more heavier.
 
 
MMA Manager: Do you have problems dropping all that weight?

Goran Reljic: No, not at all.
 
 
MMA Manager: How heavy are you going to be before you step in to the octagon?

Goran Reljic: Around 205lbs or more.
 
 
MMA Manager: I heard lots of comments that you are going to be the biggest 185 in UFC. Have you seen other 185lbs fighters and what you think?

Goran Reljic: Well between Rich Franklin and Anderson Silva there is possibility that I am going to be right there or maybe even bigger.
 
 
MMA Manager: Peoples’ expectations are huge for you. After all this you been saving peoples’ lives from the Adriatic sea injured, winning fight of the night in your UFC debut, many websites are saying that you are huge talent and you will be top European fighter, or is there something else about you that we don’t know and what are your expectations in UFC?

Goran Reljic: I like to hear that. Yes, I hope I will put up great and attractive fight for fans and leave one more good mark in my carrier.
 
 
MMA Manager: Are the last words going to be thanks to your people and sponsors?

Goran Reljic: Yes, to all people who supported me and helped me through all these times, also to all the fans who cheer for me, thanks guys, it feels great to be back.
 
 
MMA Manager: Goran, thank you for your time and we wish you the best of luck.