TONY “THE JEDI” ROSSINI

Can you tell us a little bit about your preparation for this title fight?
The preparation of this fight is like any other… the whole IMMA (Integrated Mixed-Martial Arts) team is behind it with fantastic support from head coach, Dan Higgins, striking coach, Steve Compton, and team captain, Adrian Pang.  The team’s training is always SMART and HARD.  And more momentum has been building as team mates Rob 'The Hillbilly' Giuffrida and Nate 'Bullrush' Thompson have also been added to the card.

Your opponent Ian Bone is a well-recognised fighter at 77kgs in Australia.  What are your thoughts on him and his fighting style?
I did what research I could on my opponent.  He sounds like a nice family man. He has wins with both strikes and submissions so I am looking forward to a challenging match.  I'm sure we will bring the best out of each other and our skills.

You recently fought on Legends FC in Hong Kong and won via first round armbar.  How have you grown from that performance?
It was an amazing experience to fight overseas.  It helped me grow by confirming a few things in how I mentally prepare for a fight.  It also helped me with accepting each second of the fight and taking advantage of what that second holds, and although I got reversed from mount, an armbar became available to me.

If you were to win the RIZE title, what would be next for The Jedi?
Head IMMA coach, Dan Higgins, manager, Tony Green, and Adrian Pang have always decided what is best and next for me in my training and fighting opportunities.  They will continue to do so after this fight.

Do you have any advice for fighters starting out in the sport?
Surround yourself with the type of people that will help you reach your goals... both inside and outside of the gym.

Finally, a non-MMA related one; if you were on a desert island and had to pick one song you could listen to whenever you want for the rest of your life; what would it be?
THIS IS THE... sooooooooooong thaaaaaaat neeeeeeeeeever eeeeeeeeends, it just goes on and on my friend, some people, staaaaaaaaaaaarted singing it, not knowing what it was, and they continued singing it forever just because, this is the song that neeeeeeeever ends…


Tony Rossini and Integrated MMA would like to thank major sponsors FAIRTEX and TAPOUT AUSTRALIA as well as team sponsors ASN, MMA SPORTS MAG and ALL TYPE CABINETS for their ongoing support.