In 2015, and carrying on into the start of 2016, BCMMA cemented themselves as one of the best shows on the UKMMA scene, bringing in some of the biggest names in UK MMA outside of the UFC, and mixing this with some promising talent just starting their professional careers, and some of the best amateur fights you will see anywhere. In this time, one man has launched his pro career, picked up four wins, and and is now regarded as one of the biggest prospects competing in Europe. That man is Thomas Robertsen (4-0), the BCMMA interim welterweight champion. Robertsen will be back in action, looking to make it a perfect 5-0 on Saturday night at BCMMA 15. Ahead of his bout with Aymard Guih (9-6-1), Robertsen took some time out to speak to The Sprawl.
Despite having amassed a professional record of 4-0 (via a 4-1 amateur record), Thomas ‘The Saint’ Robertsen has never competed in his home country of Norway. With MMA still being outlawed there, Robertsen has fought exclusively abroad, with his entire professional tenure taking place on BCMMA shows. Having had so many fights in front of the Colchester crowds, the Norwegian has grown fond of the Essex surroundings, “I love England – I think it is a great country – and i love the people there. I’m also a very big fan of Colchester (where BCMMA is) and I love the Colchester people, so I feel very welcome there.”
“MMA isn’t allowed in Norway and I think that’s very sad. I would really love to compete in my own country one day.”
In becoming the BCMMA interim 170lbs champion, Robertsen has been almost flawless, finishing every fight in the opening round, something that gives him cause for concern.
“It’s been a hell of a ride so far! I’m really happy about it, but it’s also a bit scary, because I’ve never had a full three round fight, so I don’t know how I’ll behave in the later rounds.”
There is also a voice in my head that tells me that I’ve just been lucky, so I’m still waiting for something to happen.
In claiming the interim belt, Robertsen dispatched of Austrian, Michael Rirsch by way of rear-naked choke in 4:08, making this the longest fight of his career to date. The relatively short bout was long enough for Rirsch to ask some questions of Robertsen, and have them answered.
“It has been my goal since I started in BCMMA to get that belt. As fighters, we work so hard for moments like this, so it felt great to get it.”
I think it was a great performance by both of us. My plan was to stand and bang, and I think Michael knew that, so he did just the right things and for a moment there I was really thinking, ‘Shit! He has me’. But I pulled through and I did the right thing.
“Michael just lost focus for a second and that cost him the fight. But thats MMA, it can be over in a second.”
The welterweight title won’t be on the line at BCMMA 15 as Robertsen faces Aymard Guih at a 177lbs catchweight, is this a step towards the middleweight division?
“My pro debut was at middleweight, my second fight was at 177lbs and my third fight was welterweight. So I started heavier and worked my self down.”
“I love fighting at Welterweight – and I can make the weight fine – the problem is that I need at least eight weeks to get to that weight. I normally walk around at 87/88kg, so I’m a big dude for welterweight!”
Are we likely to see a move to middleweight any time soon?
“My problem is that I’m only 5’9′ tall, so I’m a short middleweight, but I’ve always have felt strong there and my goal is to be able to fight at both weight classes.”
An announced bout with Mehrdad Janzemini at BCMMA 14 was pulled due to an injury sustained by Janzemini. In an interesting twist, Janzemini has also stepped up in weight and is now facing Robertson’s training partner Kristian Lapsley on Saturday. The two appear to be destined to meet at some point, something Robertsen appears to welcome: “I spoke to Mehrdad after my last fight, and he is a really nice guy – I like him a lot and I think he is a very good fighter. I know he is fighting my teammate and I think they will both have a super fight! Of course I hope [Lapsley] wins, but no matter the outcome, I think me and Mehrdad would be a great match up.”
“If we can do it at middleweight one time, that would of course be something I would say yes to in the future.”
With all this talk of middleweight, would the champ be interested in a shot at the 185lbs BCMMA strap at some point?
“Yes, I’ve thought a lot about this lately and this is my goal. I would love to be a two-weight champion and defend in both weight classes.”
For now though, 177lbs is the destination for the Sarpsborg Chi fighter. Standing in his way is a formidable task in the shape of Aymard Guih in the co-main event.
“I promise to go out there and do my very best! I hope many of my friends and fans watch me fight.”
“A lot of Norwegians back home watched me last time, and it means so much to me. All that support I’m getting from back home. My fiancée and her mother watched me, my mother and stepfather watched me, my colleagues got together and watched me, and a lot of my friends watched me. It really gets to me that so many care.”
