Fabio Holanda gears up for Stout showdown

He’s ready. More than ready. The time is right and so is everything in the game plan of Fabio “The Mastermind” Holanda.

For too long, Holanda has waited for his chance to be recognized as the best lightweight in Canada. For that to happen, the Pro Camp Sports Management fighter has to get through Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout. Fans across the country have wanted to see this fight happen, but time and again when it looks as though it might actually come off, something comes up that kills the plan.

Once more, Holanda is putting the heat on Stout – this time through the Z-Files.

Z-Files: Let’s put all the cards on the table. Is Sam Stout ducking you?

FH: I think maybe he is ducking me. It sure looks like that to me. I will take him down and submit him.

Z-Files: So when do you see this fight happening?

FH: I am waiting for it. I believe I am the No. 1 contender and I expect to fight him at the next TKO show (Feb. 9, 2007). The opportunity is right. I think they have been trying to get him to do the rematch with Jay Estrada, but I don’t see any reason to delay this any longer.

Z-Files: Because of his striking ability does he give you any cause for concern?

FH: No problems at all.

Z-Files: Another of the guys you’d like to fight is Kenny “Ken-Flo” Florian. Were you surprised by his loss at UFC 65?

FH: It was what I expected. I knew Sean Sherk would be victorious with his game plan because he is too strong. He is a good wrestler and I knew he would use that against him.

Z-Files: So after you’ve beaten each other in grappling tournaments, is Florian still the guy you’d like to fight the most along with Stout?

FH: They’re at the top of the list. My game plan is still pretty much the same for both of them.

Z-Files: You’ve won four of your last five fights heading into your Dec. 2 battle with Shaun Krysa at ECC. What will it take for you to join your training partner Patrick “The Predator” Cote and Pro Camp teammate Jason “The Athlete” MacDonald in the UFC?

FH: I think it will take about three more fights. Once my record is a bit better I will be there. For sure that is what I want.

Z-Files: It seems that you’re confidence is on the rise.

FH: When you train hard, it makes you confident. I am training very hard right now because I’m getting Cote ready for “The Ultimate Fighter” final. The training with Patrick is making me ready to fight and right now I pretty much feel like I’m ready to fight anybody.

Z-Files: Give me a clue about how Cote’s preparation is going.

FH: He looks great. I can’t say too much but I will say that he is going to surprise a lot of people.