MMA | Vémol’s coach on the rematch with Kincle: I’m not worried about Karlos’ weight. The match will be a turning point for both

A few days until the match, how is Karlos prepared?

Great. Karlos was in the cage a month ago and it was a kind of test duel in which he needed to get into match mode, preparation and stress around. In addition, it was already partly focused on the fight with Patrik. But it is clear that things specific to Al Matavao had to be monitored. His reverse guard, powerful punches and stocky build. After this duel, we analyzed these things and worked on it for a month until the match with Patrik.

Was that month an adequate time?

I think yes. Karlos needed that match before. He needed to get into it. There were some bugs that needed to be adjusted and processed. It is in turn more motivation for Karlos to work on them and adjust the regimen. Not to get into the mode he already had in the match with Matavao and not to make mistakes that could eventually punish Patrik.

The fight with Ala Matava finally took place at the agreed weight of 92 kg, now Vémola has to lose weight to 84. Will he be able to do it?

One thing is that doing 84 twice in a row is difficult for any fighter. It will leave a lot of marks on the body and there could be a problem in the second shot. With Matavao, this weight was chosen because he had a history of weight issues himself, and 84 wouldn’t do. Now, he wouldn’t even make the limit to light heavyweight (93), in which the match wouldn’t be possible anyway, because Karlos is still the champion there. It wouldn’t make sense. Originally, 89 was agreed upon, which Karlos would normally do just fine, but in the end it was moved even higher due to the opponent’s lack of weight. Paradoxically, the body only slightly reached the shedding mode and did not get under a lot of stress. Even thanks to this, the downing that awaits Karlos should not be affected. Today he still has his last training sessions, from tomorrow he will have to make weights.

What does the communication between the coach and the wrestler look like when he is no longer wrestling and is just concentrating on making weight?

We write about weight, and it was the same today. We are working out other details, communication is still ongoing. Of course, Karlos has other people around him who help him with the weight. But he himself knows best how to work with the body. He’s a total pro at this. Apart from a single case (before the defense against Milan Ďatelinka, he did not weigh 0.6 kg), he always weighed himself. I’m not afraid he should have any problem.

Can it be seen from Karlos that revenge is practically around the corner?

Each fighter changes as the match approaches. It is more aggressive and predatory. That is right. The organism prepares for the match and gets into the right mode. Those guys are much sharper and more forceful in everything they do. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.

How are you doing as a coach? Do you change like this too?

My nervousness increases with each upcoming match. It spills over from one to the other, as each charge has an important duel ahead of them. I experience it with them and it is equally important for me. But I’m probably not more aggressive. (laughter)

You say the match is hugely important. Defeating one or the other will be a big blow to their careers, see?

Certainly. They are defacto at the top of the food chain. They are fighting for the title in a prestigious European organization and the fall understandably hurts a lot. It is also enhanced by the emotions and trash talk that have accompanied it for some time. These things add even more emphasis. It will be a major turning point for both of them. For the winner and for the loser.

After all, you also had the chance to fight Kincle. You fought him in 2010 and beat him on points. How do you remember it?

Positive because I won. (laughter) It was a relatively clear victory. Back then, Patrik was definitely not at the level he is at today. It can’t be compared. But I can say that even then he was a young talent, and if I confess, out of the whole pyramid, he was the opponent I wanted the least in the match. In the end, we played the first duel together, and quite tactically I looked for a point victory.

Did you expect Kincl to go this far in his career at the time?

I knew it. Even back then he was one of the biggest talents in the Czech Republic. Former judoka. A great grappler who thought about his training and wasn’t afraid to wrestle the big names. I knew that if he stayed in MMA, he would definitely go far.

Back to Vémola’s match with Kincle. The rematch will take place in the O2 arena, where there will be 20,000 people. Is it a big difference for you as a coach to start in such a big hall?

Definitely. Even during boarding, where you walk through the crowd chanting and cheering, it makes a big difference. An experience that one does not easily forget and is etched under one’s skin. He carries such moments with him until his death.

Can’t Vémol also sign the fact that he will be the first to enter the cage (title challenger), which he is not so used to in his career?

I don’t think it would have any effect. I have a funny story to tell. Ever since it was decided before Vémola’s potential match with Krištofič that Karlos should start in the blue corner and not in the red corner, I must admit that up to that time I asked at every tournament whether blue or red started first . Until then, it was an unimportant matter for me that I did not deal with. (laughter) I remember now that the blue corner goes first.

From the point of view of bookmakers, the duel is completely balanced, both have the same odds and there is no favorite. Do you see it the same way, or is Kincl, who is in the role of champion, the favorite?

I always believe in my charges, I favor Karlos. I definitely respect Patrik, he is a great fighter and he definitely has the weapons to defeat Vémola. But I trust Karlos. I believe he is better, more dominant in his stuff and will win.

Public opinion is often greatly influenced by discussions, opinions of the professional public and the like. I can give an example of Karlos’ match with Václav Mikulášek (Vémola won in 125 seconds). I said that Vaško’s biggest victory was that he was able to convince some people that he had a chance to win that match. The public is quite often influenced by things around them and it may not always correspond to reality.