“Tumultuous,” “tough,” and “a little bit up and down.” That’s how Matt Schnell described fight camp ahead of UFC Vegas 111, where he faces off against
“I think when with you train with good guys, good young guys that are trying to take you out, sometimes you’ll have tough days,” Schnell (17-9, 1NC) admitted during this week’s UFC Vegas 111 media day. “It’s part and parcel with the whole thing. It’s been good, I’ve enjoyed this training camp and grown quite a bit. And feel like we’re right on time. Right on time. Let’s go.”
Schnell, 35, has migrated to the veteran’s role, and the shift has seemingly taken him by surprise.
“I used to be the young gun. That’s a wild thing, I say that to the boys all the time. Because I was, I was the young gun, I was the guy, and now I look around, I’m the oldest guy on the mat. And ain’t that something. A couple months ago, a year or two ago, I would have felt bad about that or something, but it’s a blessing. Those guys keep me young, so shout out to all my goofy training partners. I’ll be back Monday, strangling your face.”
Saturday’s fight with Joseph Morales is at flyweight, where Schnell has spent most of his career. The weight cuts, despite being in his mid-30s, are under control it seems. “I’m doing better with it now,” he stated.
“Seems like, I don’t know. It’s just like my body’s adjusted. It felt like there for a little bit, it was doing the opposite. It was holding on to a lot of weight.” Between fights and fight camps, Schnell’s bodyweight was fluctuating a fair bit, but that’s no longer the case. “I can’t say that I’ve made many changes.” He stepped away for a bit, flirting with retirement, and relaxed. “I don’t know. I don’t know how to explain it, but we’re doing better.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 111 media day appearance by Matt Schnell above.
