Elvis Has Entered The Building

 

Elvis “The King Of Rock N Rumble” Sinosic any true MMA fan will recognize the name. Elvis was the first Australian MMA fighter to have fights in the UFC, K1, and compete in the ADCC submission grappling tournament. He was also the first Aussie to fight for a UFC championship at UFC 32 against future hall of fame inductee Tito Ortiz. Sinosic’s list of career opponents is a who’s – who of MMA icons from Frank Shamrock, Evan Tanner, Renato Sobral, Jeremy Horn to most recently Michael Bisping.

The Australian born Croatian has now retired from the MMA scene but is still largely involved in the sport. The King runs Sinosic Perosh Martial Arts with UFC fighter and fellow Australian – Croatian Anthony Perosh.  Sinosic trains up and coming fighters and also helps prepare Perosh for his UFC bouts. Elvis Sinosic is a true icon of the sport of MMA as he was competing in the UFC before the UFC was cool. Elvis was gracious enough to give the Croatian Crippler an interview for Croatian Sports.com. Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. What area in Croatia is your family from?   

      

Elvis – My family are from the Istria Region.  Near Porec.

2. Do you have any favorite Croatian athletes,singers,actors etc….?

 

Elvis – Naturally being in MMA Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic is one of my favourite fighters. I also am friends with other fighters such as Igor Pokrajac,  Goran Reljic and Stefan Leko.

3. Do you visit Croatia often? Can you speak the language?

 

Elvis – I came to Croatia when I was younger but have not returned since. I really do want to go and visit again, to see my family and the country. I don’t speak very well.

4. What is your biggest accomplishment in MMA

 

Elvis – To me my biggest accomplishment was fighter for the UFC LHW World Championship. I look back and think it was just amazing. Not many people will make it to the UFC let alone the chance to fight for a World Title.

5. What differences do you see in the UFC compared to when you competed in the organization

 

Elvis – The sport has really grown a lot since I started, MMA, let alone the UFC have grown in leaps and bounds. UFC is now the largest MMA organisation in the world. MMA is the fastest growing sport and the most popular in the 18-34 years age bracket. Now the fighters are much more well prepared with cross training. All the fighters are capable in striking, wrestling and grappling. The UFC itself is much bigger having events nearly every second week. They have a greater exposure on TV and from that more fans and sponsors on board. The money is greater and fighters can make fighting a career and not just a hobby. Now people on the street know what UFC means whereas when I was fighting they had no idea.

6. Do you have any favorite fighters?

 

Elvis – I do have fighters I enjoy watching. Fighters such as Mirko Cro Cop, Minotauro Nogueira, Anderson Silva, JDS just to name a few.

7. Have you contemplated about coming out of retirement?

 

Elvis – It is always in the back of my head. A real fighter never truly retires as we always believe we have one more fight in us. It would take a serious offer though to lure me back into the cage. Not because the fighting is difficult, but because the preparation is.

8. Who was the toughest opponent you faced during your MMA career?

 

Elvis – I’ve fought many great fighters, UFC World Champions such as Frank Shamrock, Tito Ortiz, Forrest Griffin and Evan Tanner, as well as many other great fighters. They all had their challenges and strengths. Some of my most gruelling bouts were against Renato Babalu, Alessio Sakara and Frank Shamrock. Tito Ortiz was probably the strongest opponent I ever faced. Every opponent that stood across from me was always my toughest at the time.

9. What do you prefer stand up or the ground game?

 

Elvis – I have a love of both. I really enjoy both elements as they bring something different to my training. If I had to choose I would probably say the ground game, BJJ. BJJ is something that you can continue to do safely for many years after you’ve stopped competing.

10. Tell us about your school and any up and comers you are training?

 

Elvis- We have some great fighters at our gym, SPMA (Sinosic Perosh Martial Arts). Fighters such as Steve Micallef, Brett Gainsfor and Luke Standing to name just a few. They will all have a great future if they continue to train and compete as they are now.

11. How do you rate Anthony Perosh`s recent performances

 

Elvis – Anthony is a constantly improving fighter. He is currently on a 3 fight winning streak in the UFC. He has submitted his last 3 opponents. He is about to fight at UFC 149. His stand up and boxing improves with every fight. His grappling is at the top of the UFC LW division. If he gets you on the ground you know you’re in trouble and his opponents know this. I predict he will win his next match by submission again. I would like to see the UFC match him up with some of the top contenders.

12.Do you help train Anthony for his fights?

 

Elvis – Yes I do help Anthony train for his fights. He also has help from other coaches such as Steve Rudic (his boxing coach) and Denis Roberts (his wrestling coach).

13. If you could train with anybody dead or alive who would it be?

 

Elvis – I would love to train with Mirko (hopefully one day I can still do this), Anderson Silva & Ernesto Hoost in striking and Marcelo Garcia, Roger Gracie & Rickson Gracie. Just to name a few.

14. Do you or have you attended any Croatian events in Australia?

Elvis – I have attended some Croatian Events in Australia, occasionally at the Croatian club.

15. Other then martial arts do you play any other sports?

 

Elvis – When I was younger I played Indoor Volley ball and Pro Beach Volleyball. Though now days I only participate in Martial Arts.

16. Do you have any heroes or someone you look up to?

 

Elvis – I look up to my parents who were there for me as I grew up and were great role models to me.

17.If you weren`t involved in MMA what would be your dream job?

 

Elvis – I’m sure it would still somehow be involved with sports and teaching. I love competing in Martial Arts (and other sports when I was younger) but I also get great satisfaction in passing on the knowledge that I have gained over the years. Now I am very lucky to be able to do what I love and pass that on the next generation of students at my academy.

18. If you were to come out of retirement and entered the octagon with the Croatian Crippler what would be the outcome?

 

Elvis – I have no doubt someone would be crippled… I would only hope that it wasn’t me.

19. Where can someone get Elvis Sinosic t-shirts or gear?

 

Elvis – At the moment I know Fairtex sell my Elvis Shirt in Thailand, though you’d have to journey there. Lojak fight wear also Elvis and Elvis Sinosic shirt. We are currently in the process of setting up an online shop for SPMA so keep an eye out on www.spma.net.au and you get an opportunity to buy some great gear.

20.Anything you would like to say to your fans worldwide?

Elvis – I would just like to say thank you to all my fans who believed in me and supported me through my career. I always loved fighting and came to win. The fans who were there in both the wins and the losses kept me going. Thank you very much for your support. Thank you for the opportunity to do this interview.

Interview by The Croatian Crippler.

 

You can follow me on Facebook @ Croatian Crippler or on twitter @ Crocrippler.