Travis Wiuff: The Diesel’s Road Back to the UFC
Taking the Next Step
Traci Ratzloff Apr 13, 2005
When asked how he stays in such incredible, fight-ready shape on
his own, the answer was easy. “Fear of losing,” he stated without
hesitation. “I remember how I felt fighting Cabbage. I just wanted
to get out. I thought I was going to die. That feeling of
helplessness motivates me to train hard and to stay in shape.”
Soliciting the help of local professionals, each skilled in specific areas, but none with real MMA experience, Wiuff has formed his own team of trainers in his current residence of Rochester, Minnesota. Brazilian Mario Roberto, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, helps add depth to Wiuff’s grappling game with defense techniques and submission holds. Jim Richardson, an elite Greco Roman wrestling titleholder and Olympic alternate in the early ‘90s, keeps the Diesel active on the ground. Jim Davis, owner of the 4th Street Boxing Gym in Rochester, coaches stand-up skills. On occasion, Wiuff will roll with Dave Menne in the Minneapolis-area or spend time with the Miletich camp in Iowa, but for the most part, he sticks with his core help at home.
In between his rigorous training schedule, he even finds time to
work with up-and-comers, who dream of following in his footsteps.
Staying humble he said, “I started out just like some of these
guys, fighting in small shows.” Living in a community where most
people recognize him on the street, Wiuff remains modest. “I am
just a huge fan of this sport, and I’m proud to be a part of
it.”
Early this year, Cox approached Wiuff about fighting Renato “Babalu” Sobral in UFC 52. Staying in shape is one thing, but cutting nearly 35 pounds is entirely something else. (Wiuff typically weighs in around 240, but was asked to fight at 205.)
Seeking out the help of Dan Fischer, his nutritionist, to safely cut to 205 for his upcoming fight, Wiuff follows a strict 2200-calorie diet, disciplining himself to only one splurge day a week. The self-described video game and junk food junkie puts aside the steak and Swiss Cake Rolls for the other six. He also took notes from Mark Coleman and began running.
“Running is definitely the biggest thing to take weight off, and it helps to improve my cardio. Overall, I feel like it’s helped me become a better fighter as my core strength has stayed with me, and I feel that my agility and quickness have improved.” As the weight began to drop, the Diesel jokes, “I’m more like a 6-cylindar now.”
Always the athlete, Wiuff wrestled and played football in high school, junior college and even wrestled at the Division II university level. Though he was a two-time high school state heavyweight qualifier, placed second in the nation as a sophomore in collegiate wrestling and earned a D-II NCAA qualifying bid, the athlete seen then was much different than the one now.
“I was always a ‘mental midget,’” he confessed. “When the competition got tough, I would break. Especially in college — I was never able to win close matches.”
The importance of mental strength in the fight game is definitely that of top priority, and watching Wiuff fight, it’s hard to imagine this was something he once struggled with. When asked how he overcame this great obstacle, the answer was simple. “I guess I just grew up. I was a boy, competing against boys. I was 23 when I started fighting MMA, and I think I just became a man.”
This man’s mental strength was evident in his self-described toughest fight to date in Euphoria: USA vs. World, where he met Antoine Jaoude in the heavyweight semifinals (February 2005). “It was a battle!” he recalled. “One of those fights where you are both bloody and exhausted, ready to give up.” But giving up was the last thing he was about to do, and Wiuff pulled off the W with a unanimous decision.
With his favorite fighter being Randy Couture, who also cut weight to compete as a light heavyweight, Wiuff is thrilled to be a part of this UFC. “The guy is amazing,” he said of Couture. “He is a professional and an all-around good person.” Other fighters that top his list are Matt Hughes and Quinton Jackson. “Jackson is an aggressive wrestler. He has evolved so much. And of course Fedor [Emelianenko]. He is one of those few fighters that most guys are scared to fight.”
Overall, the good-natured Wiuff just enjoys the chance to meet other fighters. “When I have the opportunity to train with other fighters or meet them at shows, I am awe struck.”
Spending his last three pre-fight weeks in Utah training with Jeremy Horn, minus a brief stint in Las Vegas to watch The Ultimate Fighter finals live, the Diesel is ready. His days are spent running, sparring and rolling, either working on specific techniques or going live. At press time, just days before the fight, Wiuff weighed in at 216 and said, “I feel confidant that the fight will go well, win or lose.” A confidence that is sure not to disappoint as the fight world awaits his light heavyweight debut.
Soliciting the help of local professionals, each skilled in specific areas, but none with real MMA experience, Wiuff has formed his own team of trainers in his current residence of Rochester, Minnesota. Brazilian Mario Roberto, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, helps add depth to Wiuff’s grappling game with defense techniques and submission holds. Jim Richardson, an elite Greco Roman wrestling titleholder and Olympic alternate in the early ‘90s, keeps the Diesel active on the ground. Jim Davis, owner of the 4th Street Boxing Gym in Rochester, coaches stand-up skills. On occasion, Wiuff will roll with Dave Menne in the Minneapolis-area or spend time with the Miletich camp in Iowa, but for the most part, he sticks with his core help at home.
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Early this year, Cox approached Wiuff about fighting Renato “Babalu” Sobral in UFC 52. Staying in shape is one thing, but cutting nearly 35 pounds is entirely something else. (Wiuff typically weighs in around 240, but was asked to fight at 205.)
“When Monte asked me if I would cut to 205, I thought he was out of
his mind,” Wiuff said. “I haven’t weighed 205 since I was a
freshman in high school. Prior to this, I had never thought of
fighting as a light heavyweight, but once I got to 230, I realized
it was a possibility.”
Seeking out the help of Dan Fischer, his nutritionist, to safely cut to 205 for his upcoming fight, Wiuff follows a strict 2200-calorie diet, disciplining himself to only one splurge day a week. The self-described video game and junk food junkie puts aside the steak and Swiss Cake Rolls for the other six. He also took notes from Mark Coleman and began running.
“Running is definitely the biggest thing to take weight off, and it helps to improve my cardio. Overall, I feel like it’s helped me become a better fighter as my core strength has stayed with me, and I feel that my agility and quickness have improved.” As the weight began to drop, the Diesel jokes, “I’m more like a 6-cylindar now.”
Always the athlete, Wiuff wrestled and played football in high school, junior college and even wrestled at the Division II university level. Though he was a two-time high school state heavyweight qualifier, placed second in the nation as a sophomore in collegiate wrestling and earned a D-II NCAA qualifying bid, the athlete seen then was much different than the one now.
“I was always a ‘mental midget,’” he confessed. “When the competition got tough, I would break. Especially in college — I was never able to win close matches.”
The importance of mental strength in the fight game is definitely that of top priority, and watching Wiuff fight, it’s hard to imagine this was something he once struggled with. When asked how he overcame this great obstacle, the answer was simple. “I guess I just grew up. I was a boy, competing against boys. I was 23 when I started fighting MMA, and I think I just became a man.”
This man’s mental strength was evident in his self-described toughest fight to date in Euphoria: USA vs. World, where he met Antoine Jaoude in the heavyweight semifinals (February 2005). “It was a battle!” he recalled. “One of those fights where you are both bloody and exhausted, ready to give up.” But giving up was the last thing he was about to do, and Wiuff pulled off the W with a unanimous decision.
With his favorite fighter being Randy Couture, who also cut weight to compete as a light heavyweight, Wiuff is thrilled to be a part of this UFC. “The guy is amazing,” he said of Couture. “He is a professional and an all-around good person.” Other fighters that top his list are Matt Hughes and Quinton Jackson. “Jackson is an aggressive wrestler. He has evolved so much. And of course Fedor [Emelianenko]. He is one of those few fighters that most guys are scared to fight.”
Overall, the good-natured Wiuff just enjoys the chance to meet other fighters. “When I have the opportunity to train with other fighters or meet them at shows, I am awe struck.”
Spending his last three pre-fight weeks in Utah training with Jeremy Horn, minus a brief stint in Las Vegas to watch The Ultimate Fighter finals live, the Diesel is ready. His days are spent running, sparring and rolling, either working on specific techniques or going live. At press time, just days before the fight, Wiuff weighed in at 216 and said, “I feel confidant that the fight will go well, win or lose.” A confidence that is sure not to disappoint as the fight world awaits his light heavyweight debut.
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