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Lance Wipf (8-4), veteran of the NW fight circuit and now based in Las Vegas at Xtreme Couture, will be taking on The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 alum, Shane Nelson (14-5), at 155 lbs this Friday, Nov 4th on the main card of Superior Cage Combat 3 in Las Vegas. NW Fightscene's Spaniard had a
chance to talk with Lance the night before weigh-ins about the fight and more...
NW Fightscene: Talk about your thoughts of Shane as an opponent.
Lance Wipf: I think Shane is a very tough opponent. I actually asked Ryan [Langmaid] from the SCC for him. I feel that I only want to fight the best in the world. I feel that I'm one of the best lightweights in the world and I want to progress and fight my way to the UFC. And I feel that Shane is a great opponent for me to showcase my skills against and like I said, I only want to fight the best in the world.
NWFS: Shane has wins over George Roop and Aaron Riley. He's definitely a guy who's been around the block, as have you. Talk about how you think this fight is going to play out with your guy's strengths and weaknesses.
Wipf:
I think Shane is really well-rounded. It doesn't matter where the fight goes, he's always game. I feel we mimic each other very well. It doesn't matter where the fight goes. It's going to end up who has the will to push through the other person's strengths. And I feel that I got the conditioning and the skills to do that. I see the fight being a standup fight. I see that he's going to be aggressive in the first minute and I'm going to keep my distance and feel him out. And I'm going to impose my will after that. He's going to shoot for takedowns. I'm going to stuff them. If it goes to the ground, I'm going to be the aggressor and be the man on top.
NWFS: You've fought a lot in the Northwest but you now live and train in Las Vegas. This fight is in Las Vegas. What's that like for you to fight now in your hometown?
Wipf:
I'm really excited. Not a lot of people are picking me to win this fight. This is a fight that I asked for, like I said. And I just want to showcase that I do belong in these types of fights. There's a reason why I get these fights. And I want to shock the world when I stop him.
NWFS: You've got to make weight tomorrow. What's the weight cut like for you and what are you going to be doing over the next couple of days?
Wipf: I started my weight cut at 178. I'm walking around at 161 right now, so I have another 5 pounds to lose before tomorrow. I'm going to run probably half of it off tonight and use the sauna for the rest of it tomorrow. The weight cut's been fairly easy this time. I feel not as drained as I have been in the past making the big cut. I did a gradual cut this time and I feel great.
NWFS: You're considered the underdog in this fight and you've been in that position before, but this is a big fight for you. What do you do to counteract that?
Wipf: You know, it's all in your head. I don't care what other people say. I don't care what other people think. I just know that I'm a great fighter and that when I go into that ring, my goal is to get my hand raised. I don't care who the opponent is. I don't care if it's BJ Penn across the ring. I'm going there to win.
NWFS: Anything you'd like to say to your Northwest fans?
Wipf: I just want to thank all the fans up there who have supported me over the years. Hopefully I come away with a W this time and get back onto the right track.
NW Fightscene thanks Lance for his time in speaking with us. He fights this Friday, November 4th against Shane Nelson on the main card of Superior Cage Combat 3 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. More on the show at superiorcagecombat.com.
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