Alan ‘The Apprentice’ Philpott
We don’t think there are too many MMA fans left in Ireland now that don’t know about Clan Wars 10 on April 14th at the Ulster Hall Belfast. In the third of three main card professional title bouts Alan ‘The Apprentice’ Philpott takes on Joe Clarke for the ISKA Northern Irish Feather Weight championship live at one of the UK’s fastest growing shows.
As one of the younger competitors in MMA today I have to say it seems that Alan has a wise head on his shoulders and it was an absolute pleasure to interview him. Without further ado, let’s see what Alan Philpott had to say to us here at mma-fights.co.uk about fighting Joe Clarke at Fight Hounds Irish MMA show of the year and ISKA UK show of the year, Clan Wars 10…
OK, just tell us your full name your age and where you’re training out of right now please?
My full name is Alan Thomas Philpott, I am 19 years old, and fight out of Next Generation NI.
Who are you training with and what have they had you doing recently in the gym?
I train with all the guys at my gym, everyone of them is helping me so it wouldn’t be fair to name a few, and they have me doing what I normally do, strength and conditioning, cardio and technique.
As we all know you’re taking on Joe Clarke for the ISKA NI Feather Weight title, but are you training differently given the fact that this is a title fight that’s coming up?
I train for every fight as if it is the main fight of my career, we train everything in our gym and 6 days a week twice a day, the only thing I have changed is more hill sprints and jogging.
To be consistent, I have to ask, what do you think of Joe Clarke as a fighter and do you know him on a personal level at all?
Joe Clarke is the biggest A hole there is and a terrible fighter, [laughs], nah just kidding, Joe is a great guy, good respect and easy to get on with, we actually get on really well, and I respect him, wasn’t that long ago [I] was on a night out, and we talked and joked about, its only a sport, I dont see why all these “HARD CAGE FIGHTERS” feel the need to go about slobbering and acting the big boys about the fights, yes its good to hype it up, but there’s a line. For Joe’s skill wise well I’ve watched him over the 3 years I’ve being doing MMA, and hes fantastic, he is only young like myself and has adapted to the game very well, his hand speed and leg kicks are sharp and well lets face it you stick that man on a ground there is gonna be some twisted limbs, although in this case he has to try get them!
Interestingly all your wins come via submission. Do you see yourself submitting Joe Clarke?
All 5 wins have been by sub and most my semi pro wins also were by sub with a couple decisions, I could submit Joe Clarke yes, not saying thats how I will win, but yeah I could sub him as easily as he could sub me.
Given all your wins come by submission, would you say you’d rather grapple than strike or do you not care where the fight goes?
I dont mind where the fight goes im happy to just get in and have fun, no one has seen me stand really as i usually do end up going to the floor, but I’m sure with this being my toughest fight to date we will see a bit of everything.
It’s also worth noting that Joe Clarke is also undefeated in 4 professional fights (according to Sherdog) but he has two wins by submission and two wins by (T)KO. The casual fan might say that he looks the more rounded fighter, what with it being a fifty, fifty
split of (T)KO and submissions.
Do you believe he’s the more well rounded fighter? And if not, why not?
Maybe he looks like the more rounded fighter, but im just as equal, like I said no-one has seen my stand up properly yet.
OK I have to ask , given that this is a title fight, UFC veteran Jake Hecht is on commentary and Clan Wars can potentially reach up to 100 million homes these days, do you not get a little bit nervous?
Course I get nervous, but its about controlling the nerves, the fact Jake Hecht is there won’t make it any different, its me and Joe in the cage and the only thing that’ll be in my mind will be punching, kicking, kneeing, elbowing and twisting Joe Clarke’s body.
Given the choice, is there any one single fighter in the whole of MMA that you want to fight right now, (besides Joe Clarke?)
One fight at a time for me, so just see how things goes, got plans for after this fight anyway.
OK last of all do you have a general message for your fans, and the world in general?
Remember the name, Alan ” The Apprentice ” Philpott, ha ha ha…
Thanks for having us Alan, good luck with your fight, it’s been a pleasure having you.
23 March 2012
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