"Barbarian" Boetsch Talks Matt Hume, Alex Schoenauer, and Motorcyles with Fighters.com

Former UFC light heavyweights “Barbarian” Tim Boetsch (9-3) and Alex Schoenauer (13-9) will rumble at the Philadelphia Motorcycle Show when MMA promotion Respect Is Earned presents Philly Biker Brawl at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks October 10.

Boetsch talked to Fighters.com about training with Seattle-based MMA trainer Matt Hume (5-5) and fighting Schoenauer.

Fighters.com: Your first training camp with Hume ended successfully with a win over Team Quest’s Aaron Stark (9-6).  What was the most important thing training with Hume has brought to your performance and how did it help in your win over Stark?

Tim Boetsch: My training with Hume has really opened up my eyes on a lot of things. Matt’s philosophies on MMA are way ahead of the game. If you are able to fight the way Matt trains you to no one can hang with you. Matt’s style of fighting forces you to get in great shape. Anyone who has ever been in a fight will tell you that conditioning is the key to winning fights. if you gas in the first two minutes of a fight you are done!

Fighters.com: You’ve trained at several camps.  Why is Hume’s camp the right place for you and not the other places you’ve trained?

Tim Boetsch: I really like Matt’s camp for a lot of reasons but the primary reason is that Matt Hume is there. He has an incredible amount of knowledge in all areas of the game, and his fight philosophy is different then other places I have trained.  His style of training is more in line with what I believe makes a good training camp. Matt also has different methods then most “MMA” training camps out there right now.

Fighters.com: Are you staying with Matt’s camp for this upcoming fight?

Tim Boetsch: I will continue to train the way Matt tells me to for this fight. I trust his judgement. I plan on working with Matt as long as I am fighting.

Fighters.com: Are you still adding pieces to your game or are you just continuing to practice and refine what you already know?

Tim Boetsch: I have a lot to add to my game. I learned more this last training camp then I had the past two years of my MMA career. I continue to refine what I already know, and I am making changes that will improve my overall game.

Fighters.com: Your good friend Mike Ciesnolevicz (17-4) beat Schoenauer twice.  What’s been his advice on this fight?

Tim Boetsch: I have not been told for sure who my opponent is for this fight…  Mike C always has good advice for me when it comes to fighting. I can trust him to give me the lowdown on any fighter out there.  I think all he does is study fighters in the 205 weight class.

Fighters.com: Schoenauer is a good submission grappler.  You’ve never been tapped.  How does that play into your training?  Are you confident you’re going to be fine on the ground or are you advancing your grappling training to maintain that zero losses by submission stat?

Tim Boetsch: I will continue to work on my ground game. I have  lot of improvements to make in all areas. I will do whatever it takes to maintain my “zero losses by submission stat”

Fighters.com: You’ll be fighting close to home in Philadelphia.  How do you avoid coming into a fight a little too comfortable when your in your own backyard, you know the fans are behind you, and you’re the guy “supposed” to win?

Tim Boetsch: Thats the one thing about fighting, anything can happen in a fight. Going into a fight over confident or taking a fight lightly is a huge mistake. I will bring more intensity and a better game to this fight then any of my other fights in the past.

Fighters.com: How’s talks with Strikeforce and the UFC coming?  Are you near signing with either organization?

Tim Boetsch: Things with Strikeforce and the UFC are still up in the air. I am taking things one fight at time. I will go wherever I need to, to get back in the mix with the top guys in the 205 pound weight class.

Fighters.com: Do you own or ride motorcycles?

Tim Boetsch: My parents have been riding motorcycles longer then I have been alive. I have never had one though.

Doors will open at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks at 7:00 PM EST on Saturday, 10 October.  Tickets starting at $20 can be purchased at RIE-MMA.com.