Its been a while since we heard from August Wallén. For you guys who don’t know about Wallén here is the quick version… Wallén is one of the godfathers of MMA in Scandinavia and has been around since the beginning of MMA and is nowadays involved in more or less in everything MMA in Sweden.

Wallén is the president for Shootfighting International, the head coach for Shooters MMA and runs his own gym – Gladius MMA. Wallén is the man behind several MMA events in Sweden as well as a successful martial art magazine. He is also heavily involved in MMA politics and promotion and have worked hard for our beloved sport to be accepted in Scandinavia and Europe - and have succeed to some degree. While doing all this Wallén also somehow manages to step into the cage (or ring) at least once a year. So now you know a bit more about him… On to the questions!

Asgard: How come you got the fight against Yuki Kondo?
Wallén: It was through Gokor Chivichyan, who set up a team for Ring of Fire in Manila.

A: What did you think when you’ve got the announcement about the fight against Kondo?
W: Well it was a surprise. I was to fight Ivan Salaverry. About two weeks before the event I checked the fight card on the event site and saw Yuki Kondo on the card. I thought “Wow that is really cool, he is tough, who is he going to fight?” then I looked over and saw that it was me. It was a small chock I have to admit, I hade 3 pro fights going in, Kondo had 73…

A: What was your fight plan and how did you prepare for Kondo?
W: Because of the late switch of opponent I unfortunately did not have much time to change my preparations. So I just kept going which was not good since Ivan and Kondo have very different fighting styles. I didn’t have any specific plan, I just went in to survive and that was a huge mistake. If you do not fight to win you don’t do your best. I did pretty well, I actually won one of the rounds and one was close, but I could have done much better if I had believed in myself. This has taught me a lot and I think I’m a different fighter now and it felt completely different at my next fight, which was at the Zone in Stockholm. In Manila I was only partly there mentally. At the Zone I was fully focused and present.

A: What did you know about Sergei Bal?
W: That he was from the Red Devil Team, that he had had many amateur fights, that he was Russian Combat Sambo Champion 2006 and that he had had 6 pro fights, that was about it.

A: How did you prepare for the fight? What was your fight plan?
W: After Manila I stopped preparing too much for a specific opponent (which can be changed at last minute) and I’m focusing more on my own game. My plan was to hit hard in the stand-up, avoid takedowns, establish a superior ground position and finish with punches or a choke depending on what my opponent would give me.

A: Which fight was the toughest in your pro career so far?
W: Without any doubt the fight with Kondo, by far.

A: Who are your favourite 5 fighters in Scandinavia?
W: First I want to mention the obvious ones that are fighting on the highest international level right now: David Bielkheden, Per Eklund, Joachim Hansen and Martin “Hitman” Kampmann. Those guys need our support! In Shooters MMA Fight Team we have a lot of great fighters like Tor Troeng, Klas Åkesson, Åke Bergvall, Kenneth Rosforth, Sonny Nielsen and many others. The most promising upcoming fighter you can find is Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson, he will go all the way! On the female side we have Elina Nilsson (great Muay Thai and MMA fighter and Boxer) and if we talk grappling Martin “Ninja” Janson (ADCC runner up, European Champ BJJ and much more) must be mentioned. There are a lot of great fighters.

A: Who are your favourite 5 fighters in the world?
W: That is even harder. I really like Anderson Silva but there are so many great athletes so it is difficult to choose five.

A: Which fighter was the most to influence your fight style?
W: Randy Couture has had a lot of impact on my game and concept. But my personal fight style? I think it is pretty neutral; I go with what I get.

A: Who are your coaches?
W: First I want to mention all the support I receive from all members of Shooters MMA Fight Team, then everyone at my own academy Gladius MMW: The guys directly involved in coaching me at the events are Martin Janson, Anton Mattson (promising fighter, watch out) and Elina Nilsson.

A: What is your ideal weight class?
W: -84 kg I think

A: Whom do you want to fight?
W: I got that question long time ago and answered Rickson Gracie, who was considered on of the best at the time. Not to be disrespectful, on the contrary since it would be an honour to fight a legend. With the same logic I would answer Anderson Silva today. In real life, I don’t care so much as long as it is a good match-up, I’m happy that I can still fight.

A: What is your future plan? What is your next goal?
W: My immediate goal is my next fight, taking place at The Zone FC “Showdown” which takes place in Gothenburg Sweden on the 10th of May (please check www.thezonefc.com). As a fighter it is to just keep on fighting as long as I can. As an instructor it is to bring the next generation to the top, as team-leader it is to help the team to success. When the Swedish Budo & Martial Arts Federation is re-organized and MMA has a permanent permit in Sweden I hope to retire from sports politics…

Curriculum Vitae
Name: August Wallén
Nickname: the Strangler
Age: 39
Record: 3 - 2 - 1 (Win - Loss - Draw)
Weight: 84 kg
Height: 188 cm
School: Gladius MMA
Country: Sweden

Competitions:
2008-02-09 The Zone Fighting Championship Win (submission) against Bal Sergey
2007-12-08 Ring of Fire / World Team Challenge Loss (judges decision) against Kondo Yuki
2006-05-06 European Vale Tudo 6 ‘Ragnarök’ Win (submission) against Boiko Paulo
2003-09-28 Fighter Extreme 4 - Revenge Win (judges decision) against White Vernon
2003-05-03 Fighter Extreme 3 - Showdown Loss (submission) against Sinosic Elvis
1998-04-05 Swedish Shootfighting Championship 1997 Part 2 Win (submission) against Grandin Patric
1997-11-30 Swedish Shootfighting Championship 1997 Part 1 Win (submission) against Hallberg Jesper
1997-09-14 September Bash Win (submission) against Dahlgren Fredrik

Championtitles:
1997 Heavyweight champion in Swedish Shootfighting Championship

More:
• Superfight winner (SW) against Richard Bohlenius (SBJJA) at Fighter Extreme 1 (2002)
• US East Coast Shootfighting Champion 2001 (ISFA)
• World Shootfighting Champion 1999 (ISFA)
• Winner against Felix Alvarez in Florida (USA) 1997 (ISFA Shootfighting)
• Received brown belt from Roy Harris in Gothenburg Sweden 2006
• Received black belt from Roy Harris in Gothenburg Sweden 2008