Editor’s Note: We know that all roads lead to South Boston. So when we learned that three local UFC fighters train in Southie, we were not at all surprised. Kyle “Crash” Bochniak, Calvin Kattar, and Rob Font all train with Jiu Jitsu coach Sean Fisher from Broadway Jiu Jitsu. Bochniak also trains with Southie’s own Peter Welch from Peter Welch’s Gym. All three have bouts on Saturday night at the UFC 220 at Boston’s TD Garden. After 10 weeks of training 6 days a week, 6 hours a day, and an insanely clean diet, it comes down to one night and one fight for the trio.
Our youngest CIS correspondent and UFC super fan Henry Gailunas had the opportunity to interview Bochniak and Kattar last week Here’s the Q&A!
I love the UFC. So when CIS asked if I wanted to interview two local fighters, I said yes! I went to Broadway Jiu Jitsu on a Thursday night and asked some questions. But first some background info on the fighters:
NAME: Kyle Bochniak, Featherweight, 30 years oldHEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5’7, 145 pounds
NAME: Calvin Kattar
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5’10, 145 pounds
HG: When did you get interested in the UFC?
KB: Eight years ago. It was an outlet for aggression.
CK: After I saw a local MMA show and saw David George fight. This was back in 2007. I began training.
HG: Did you play sports in high school?
KB: I played everything. Football. Baseball. Basketball. Soccer.
CK: I wrestled in high school. It was the best thing I ever did.
HG: How often do you train?
KB: 6 days a week, 6 hours a day. I wake up, eat and train, then head home to eat and recover. Then I head back to the gym to train again. Six days a week.
CK: We pretty much train together so it’s basically the same schedule.
HG: Are you exited about fighting in Boston?
KB: Me too. My family is local so they’ll be there watching. It’s exciting!
CK: Yes, of course! All my friends and family will be there!
HG: Favorite grappling technique?
KB: Rear naked choke
CK: Heel hook
HG: Favorite Striking technique?
KB: Right cross
CK: Jabs
HG: What do you eat?
CK: We have to eat really clean. Lots of fruits, greens, protein. Sometimes I just throw it all in a blender and drink it.
KB: We also have to make sure we stay hydrated. We make our own electrolyte replacement drink. It’s water, sea salt, lemon and honey. We mix it up and drink it all day.
HG: What do you eat on fight day?
KB: We still keep it pretty clean. We might add more protein.
CK: We try to drink about a 12 ounce bottle of water an hour so we stay hydrated.
HG: After your fight can you eat anything you want?
CK: Oh yeah! Even right after the fight, the UFC puts out a huge spread. There’s ice cream with all kinds of toppings.
KB: There’s Swedish meatballs too. As soon as we finish our fight, we just start eating.
HG: Do you go out for a special meal after and what will you eat?
CK: I’m getting Chicken Parm and pasta with meat sauce. And a big ice cream.
KB: Can’t wait to eat a burger. And ice cream too.
On Wednesday night, I got to see the fighters workout at Reebok on Dry Dock Ave. It was really cool. These guys are in great shape and super strong. Looking forward to going to the UFC 220 fights at TD Garden! Here’s where you can get tickets! I’ll be rooting for the local guys!
Here’s the fight card:
Main Card (10 PM ET, PPV)
Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou
Daniel Cormier vs. Volkan Oezdemir
Shane Burgos vs. Calvin Kattar
Francimar Barroso vs. Gian Villante
T
homas Almeida vs. Rob Font
Preliminary Card (8 PM ET, FS1)
Kyle Bochniak vs. Brandon Davis
Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Sabah Homasi
Dustin Ortiz vs. Alexandre Pantoja
Julio Arce vs. Dan Ige
Preliminary Card (6:30 PM ET, Fight Pass)
Enrique Barzola vs. Matt Bessette
Maryna Moroz vs. Jamie Moyle
Islam Makhachev vs. Gleison Tibau
Main image taken at Broadway Jiu Jitsu. Font third from left, Bochniak center, Kattar second from right, Sean Fisher from Broadway Jiu Jitsu between Bochniak and Kattar
Henry is a sophomore at Catholic Memorial living the dream in Southie.
Nice article, Henry. A+!