So, I had the chance to spend the last few days with newly signed Elite XC Fighter, Conor Heun as he was getting ready for his fight. I shot some photos of him training, cutting and hanging out. I also took a second to ask him a few questions that I was curious about. Click here to read my blog about the last few days hanging out with Conor Heun: http://www.combatlifestyle.com/words/gdetail.php?id=48

Talk about your new contract with Elite XC. How long are involved with them for? what are your thoughts and feelings about the organization?

I signed with pro elite for two years. I am really excited to be involved with the organization because I think they take really good care of their fighters and are positioning themselves to be the number 1 MMA league in the world. The fact that they are bringing MMA to network television is reason enough to sign with them. I also like the 160 lb weight class. I can make 155 but i'm a lot happier at 1 60. Also I feel I match up well with a lot of the fighters in the division and that wearing the belt within the next two years is an attainable goal.

Are you still involved with the IFL at all?

As of right now I have no contract with the IFL. I believe the change in the structure of the league, basicly the move from simulated "teams" to a true camp vs camp format is a positive change. I would be interested in the opportunity to fight side by side with my teamates from legends MMA training center in Hollywood, and my contract with pro elite allows me to fight in other organizations, however the IFL rules are not favorable to our fighting style. The pro elite cage is far superior to the ring and the IFL's restrictions on elbow strikes make for a watered down version of MMA. I personaly was quite impressed with the new rules released by the Dream promotion out of Japan. I think knees to the head should be allowed on the ground, as well as kicks to the face especially when engaged in a footlock battle on the ground. I also prefer that fights are judged in their entirety as opposed to the 10 point must system. With that being said I am very happy to be fighting under pro elite rules and would not rule out fighting for the IFL again in the future.

Tell us who you train with.. What does each person involved bring to your game? My team at legends is headed up by Chris Reily and Eddie Bravo who train my striking and ground game respectivly. Our competition team consists of Scott "Einstein" Epstein, Chris Sepulveda, Chris Brady, Mack Danzig, Dan "the outlaw" Hardy, Takashi, Amir Rhnivardi, Jorge Olivera, and Jeremy Williams. Plus.all the guys from 10th planet. The guys on the competition team are the guys who are there everyday pushing me during our strength and conditioning sessions run by Shy, and during hard sparring. Of course Jiu jitsu is my main love so I also spend a ton of time rolling with all the great 10th planet guys of which there are to many to name. Chris Reily, Dan Hardy, and Amir are the guys working my stand up and Eddie, Brent (or checkuroil of UG fame) and Einstein are the master minds behind my ground game. It's a great group and we all feed off each other's energy and work to bring everyone level up.

What's your "game plan"? What do you think you need to do to successfully defeat your opponent during this fight?

Well, my opponent is a very accomplished striker. His kicks are very dangerous and he has power in both hands. I need to control both the distance and the pace of the fight, not giving him time to relax or breath. I will be very impressed if he can deal with the ferocity of my attack and maintain the same pace that I can.

Do you have any way that you train thats not "orthodox"? Something that most fighters don't normally do, but seems to work for you? If so, what is it?

I have been working with Kelly Carter of titleshottraining.com and he brings some very inovative training methods to the table. I juggle to work hand eye coordination, use active isolated stretching to limber up, and use a healing and diagnostic technique that Kelly practices called lifeline. And although it is not unique, I see Dr Peter Goldman of goldmanhealing.com for zone healing. In fact, Dr Pete as I call him, works with all the top fighters around the globe. Just check out his website. It reads like a who's who of MMA greats.

Why do you think Tom Denny didn't want to take the fight with you when offered?

I imagine it has to do with the way our styles match up and with the risk vs rewards associated with the contest. First off, I am a great wrestler and an accomplished ground fighter. Denny has said that he likes to take the fight where his opponent doesn't want to go. I have never been knocked out or submitted in MMA so there is really no place i'm not willing to fight from. Secondly, Denny is a big name with 41 fights to his name. Comparitivly i'm a nobody. If he lost it would be a great win for me but if he won people would say he beat a kid with only 8 fights, big deal. With Malepet he fights a less well rounded fighter who also posseses a huge following from his Muay Thai career. If he beats malepet that is quite an accomplishment, if he losses he lost to a well known and highly skilled striker. I noticed you have a degree on display. Who'd you beat up to get that? Ok but seriously.. What do you have degree in, and why are you fighting now instead?

My degree is in English literature from Ithaca college. I moved home to boulder Colorado right after college and started my own business running a screenprinting shop and launched a clothing line on the internet. My partner and I had some creative differences so I sold him my stake in the company. With nothing other than coaching high school wrestling going on in boulder, I decided to check out someplace new and sold my shop. With the money I got, I moved to Hollywood and decided to give the corporate world a shot. I got a job selling dental equipment and was making a good living but I felt trapped in my little cubicle. Looking around the office I saw all these great people who had basicly given up on their dreams in exchange for the stability that comes with a 9 to 5, a 401k, and health insurance. I just knew it wasn't for me. After stepping inside the cage, winning my first pro fight, and cashing my first check for doing something I really loved, I was over the corporate life for good. I guess for some people, true feedom comes only when locked inside the cage.

what level guitar hero are you playing at?

I have beat all the songs on medium and have moved on to hard but am still struggling on the nastier licks, so i'm going back and trying to perfect all the songs on medium.

What do you like to do when you're NOT fighting?

I love to snowboard, surf, skate, and just chill out at the beach or the pool in beautiful southern California.

Any sponsors you want to thank?

Yea, Melee fight gear, TapouT, goldmanhealing, Joe Rogan.net, Badner chiropractic, titleshottraining.com, ring and cage, rolcom communications and anyone else who wants to throw the kid a bone. Thanks to everyone who has helped make my dream a reality.