The WLF has announced the WLF Championship 8-Man Tournament set for January 31, 2015 in China. The winner will become the WLF World Chmpion and take home €12,000. 

We caught up with Shane Oblonsky to talk about the upcoming tournament:

MTA: It was recently announced you’ll be participating in the WLF’s 8-man tournament. Can you tell us a little bit about this?

Shane: This will be the second same-night tournament that I’ve competed in, the first being Glory 17’s 4-man featherweight tournament. An 8-man tournament poses a little bit of a different challenge, but I’m definitely up for it. I’ve fought in China a couple of times before and am excited to go back for this.

MTA: You’ll be facing up to 3 of 7 possible opponents.  Are you familiar with any of them and how do you prepare for this?

Shane: In an 8-man tournament you have the possibility of fighting 3 times
in one night. Your preparations and strategy have to take that into
consideration — that, together with having no idea who any of the other fighters are make for a lot to prepare for. I’ve been training at both All-In MMA in Buena Park and Team Oyama in Irvine, which gives me a good variety of sparring partners. Training with fighters who have different strengths, reaches, heights, etc. will definitely help prep me for the random selection of the tournament. Training for each of 7 fighters would be difficult anyway.

MTA: How does your experience in the Glory 17 tournament affect the way you prepare for this?

Shane: I learned a lot from that tournament.  I realized I used a lot of
energy going for it in a little bit of a brawler way. The weight cut also got
to me, something I’ve definitely adjusted for this 8-man tournament.
Cutting weight will definitely go better this time. I look to bring a game that’s diverse, which I think will help in the approach to any of these fighters.

MTA: Does fighting in another country ever have you worried that the only way to win is by KO, as decisions might be stolen from you?

Shane: This will be my third time fighting in China. I’ve been asked before if
going to a decision in a foreign country is something to worry about,
but so far the outcomes I’ve experienced in China have been pretty
fair.  That said, of course you always look for the KO, the most
decisive result.

MTA: You’ve fought in both Muay Thai and kickboxing — do you have a preference?

Shane: Kickboxing and Muay Thai are different. I tend to like kickboxing more,
because it’s faster paced and there’s more action. It really just depends
on your opponent.  If he’s game, then it doesn’t matter. The fight will be good for the fans.

MTA: Thank you for taking the time with us for this, Shane. Best of luck in the tournament.

Shane: Thank you guys for all of your support. Thanks to my gym family I should be very prepared. Thanks to OC Fight Docs for fixing any injuries along the way.