Iain ‘Rollo’ Rollason (2-0-0) is a professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Light-heavyweight division, representing HAMMA. He has competed for Euro Fight Night, Almighty Fighting Championship and Full Contact Contender.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to speak with me today Iain, and also to congratulate you on your upcoming inclusion on the FCC 32 card.
“Thank you for having me.”
You’re very welcome mate.
I hope training has been going well in the build-up to your scheduled return to action.
“Yeah, it’s been going better than ever, to be honest, totally changed my game now. I’ve never had a nutritionist, never had a strength and conditioning coach, I used to sort of wing it. In my first two professional fights, I changed gyms to HAMMA, I’ve really upped my game, changed everything, and I’m going full hog as they say. Every little aspect of my game is being covered, I’m leaving no stone unturned this time. If I don’t bring my very best to this one, I might as well pack it in.”
It’s definitely a great gym to be training with, HAMMA is a highly respected place, a breeding ground of warriors.
“Oh yeah, it’s an amazing gym, the talent that comes out of there is unbelievable. One of my main training partners who’s a Light-heavyweight, he’s just coming back into MMA, unbelievable Judo, training with him has been incredible.”
Last we saw you in action was back in March with an emphatic submissive victory over Kofi Marshall at FCC 28. For the readers, could you elaborate on what you’ve been up to since your last walk with the FCC?
“To be honest, I’ve had quite a bit of time off. Since my last fight I’ve got married, had a honeymoon so that was more time off. Then both my friends got married abroad, so I’ve been enjoying myself but quietly working on nutrition, training, my body and my mind. Lately I’ve kicked it back up with training again, everything is going up now, I’m on a different skill level. While I wasn’t heavily training, I was able to drill different things. Fight camp you’re flat out, in fight camp you don’t learn new things, It’s all about being big, all about sparring. I’ve had plenty of time to learn, so it was basically like a mini break. My bodies reset, I’ve refocused my mind and I know where I wanna be within the next couple of years so I’m ready to go now.”
It’s always good to take a step back and reevaluate things, aslo sharpen your tools and add things to your game.nit makes you more unpredictable.
“One hundred percent, this has been the best year of my life. Getting married, my little fella is twenty months old now so I spend a lot of time with him, also with my two daughters. I’ve had a lot of family time, I’m ready to go again now, I’ve had my family time, I’ve had my fun, I’m ready for ten weeks of hard work. I’m gonna work harder than I’ve ever worked before. There’s not many folk that would travel as much as I do, it’s one hundred and thirty five miles to the gym and the same back home, as well as training at The Yard Workington Thai-Boxing Gym when I’m home, that’s the effort I’m putting in. I run my own business but I’ve reduced my working hours, so I can train more. Like I said, if I don’t bring the best package I can to this fight, that’ll be me done. But I’m not ready to be done, so I guarantee I’ll bring the best package.”
You seem extremely dedicated.
“Yeah, honestly I’ve totally changed my mindset, it used to be just fun to me. Even in my last fight it was just fun, it was never anything too serious I just enjoyed doing it. I don’t think I’ve ever put one hundred percent in, until now. I’m going for it now, I used to go in relaxed, talking to the promoters and all the other fighters, bringing my mates down there with my wife to support me, this time it’s serious mate. Like I said, I’ve done a lot of work on my mind and it’s changed my whole outlook.”
I’m looking forward to seeing all the improvements you’ve made.
The UK scene has been in high anticipation of your return to the cage, and will be overjoyed upon hearing the news that you will once again grace the FCC cage. When eying up a potential stage for your return, was Adam Teh’s Full Contact Contender on top of your list?
‘Yeah, one hundred percent it was mate. I can’t fault Adam, last time I was on the show he really looked after me, but I’ve also gotta give a big shout-out to Almighty Fighting Championships Ray Thompson. Between him and Adam, they are the most dearest people I’ve worked with. I was AFC amateur champion, then I did my first professional fight with Almighty, then my second with the FCC. They’re both good shows, they both look after you, Adam kept in touch and asked me to fight in December and the date was perfect for me. Hopefully they get the deal with UFC fight pass, the rumours are they will, it’s gonna be good for any fighter that is on the card. Anyone that is shown on UFC Fight Pass is gonna get noticed.”
Definitely, I hope they get on to the UFC Fight Pass. It will be great for another UK show to be included there, well deserved if they do too. Adam and Ray really are making waves on the UK scene, they really put in the effort with you guys.
“For me personally, those two shows are a step above everybody else. The way they look after you, it’s a lot more professional, fighting on them shows is like fighting on a much bigger promotion. The care, the cut men/women, the referees do a great job, the judges are always on point. Even down to the venues they use, it’s no small sports hall or anything like that, it’s all done properly. You’re not gonna go wrong by fighting on these shows.”
It shows mate, some big names have flown through each organisation over the years.
Your return see’s you take on Alex Valenciuc, a Light-heavyweight collision fight fans in attendance will not want to miss. What do you make of Alex in the build-up to your scheduled meeting?
“To be fair, I don’t really know too much about him. Normally indo a search on Facebook, Instagram etc, but this time I’ve left it down to Sean, Connor Martin and Coner Hignett. I know what I’m here to do, I think he’s had a few K1 fights, he’s meant to be a good stand up fighter, that’s all I know. I’m not interested this time, this time I’m focusing on me, my cardio and my strengths. To be honest, it throws me, whatever works on the night, that’s what I’m using. I think when I go in with a gameplan, it throws me and gives my opponent the opportunity to capitalise and I need to get back into it. By that time I’m either injured, bleeding or in a lot of pain, then I’ve gotta fight through that. This time will be a completely different fight.”
That’s a good mindset to have, focusing on your own game and arsenal.
“One hundred percent.”
The FCC has played host to some of the most exciting names in the fight game. As well as some of the most memorable bouts on the UK fight scene, December 17th will be no exception.
Other than your inclusion on the night are there any matchups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?
“I’m not one hundred percent sure who’s on the fight card this time, I’m not sure many have been released, but I know there’s a few in the pipeline. I’m really looking forward to Ritchie Lunt’s fight at FCC Liverpool against Craig Skelton, I’ve not long finished training with Ritchie and honestly, he’s on fire. We were wrestling today, he’s fighting at 66kg and I’m fighting at 93kg and he is strong. I’m sure there will be a few on the Bolton card I’ll be interested in though, I’m hoping a few of the lads from my gym will be on the card with me so we’ll see.”
It’s always good to go to war alongside your teammates.
“One hundred percent, for the support backstage.”
Definitely.
It’s been great speaking with you today Iain, and I look forward to witnessing you out there once again.
“Spot on mate, I appreciate it.”
Anytime mate.
Last but not least, do you have a message for the fans that will be in attendance and anybody you’d like to give a shout-out to?
“You’re gonna see a new Rollo one hundred percent, I’m not gonna be the same person. I’m gonna be clinical, I’m gonna do my job, everything is gonna be there this time. I’m gonna start from the moment the bell goes, it’s gonna be a new me, a new beast, it’s time to show what I can really do. I’m going to bring my gym performances into the cage, a new me. Get your tickets man, it’s gonna be exciting this time. I’d like to thank all my coaches, teammates, sponsors and most importantly, my wife.”
Make sure to head over to the FCC website here and grab your tickets as soon as they are made available, to witness Iain and a whole host of exceptional warriors for the FCC 32 card on December 17th.
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