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“The Snowman” Unphased by Coming Blizzard

Posted by Chad Edward on May 2nd, 2008

“The Snowman” Jeff Monson (24-7) will fight three heavyweights in six weeks beginning 18 May in Tokyo versus Fighters.com’s third-ranked heavyweight “Babyface Assassin” Josh Barnett (21-5), followed by Michael Russow (9-1) 12 June in Chicago, and finally “The Monster” Kevin Randleman (16-12) 24 June in Charlotte.

Monson answered a few questions exclusively for Fighters.com.

Fighters.com: Most fighters at the highest level of competition don’t fight so often. Do you prefer the type of schedule you’ve signed-up for?

Jeff Monson: It’s just when they are scheduled. I don’t particularly like them so close together, but it is good as well because once I am in fight shape for the first one, it’s easier to prepare for the following fights.

Fighters.com: Will you continue this level of frequency?

Jeff Monson: I am in good shape and I want to fight, so I will look at offers and assess each one.

Fighters.com: Is this a business decision? You were offered good money to fight and you can’t turn it down?

Jeff Monson: Money really didn’t come into play. They are all good organizations and I wanted to fight.

Fighters.com: Are there any unique training challenges to having three different opponents so close together?

Jeff Monson: Of course. They are all different fighters and all of them tough fights as well; so, the training is different for each one.

Fighters.com: Aren’t the odds pretty high that at least one of these fights will be canceled? I mean, even assuming you win them all, the likelihood of sustaining a cut or other injury that doesn’t heal between fights is high, isn’t it?

Jeff Monson: If I fight to my potential, I should be alright. To be honest, the training is harder than the fights; so, if I make it to the fight date OK, I like my chances.

YAMMA Pit Fighting recently lost a main event in it’s debut when “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge (23-16-1) was knocked out in Seoul two-weeks prior and the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board refused to license him.

Monson’s 12 June fight is the main event of Adrenaline MMA’s debut card, two-and-a-half weeks after Monson’s 18 May Sengoku II match-up versus Barnett.

Adrenaline MMA VP Brian Patton said, “[Monson] must be a lot tougher than me. Jeff has taken some licks and seems to be able to recover quickly. There is always a concern with fights that close together; but, I think we will be OK.”