We got the chance to talk to him about his possible fight with Takanori Gomi, Kickboxing in Japan, Shawn Tompkins coming out of retirement, and his relationship with the IFL. 

TFN: What is the status of the rumored fight between you and Pride Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi? 

Chris Horodecki: Um, there’s a possible fight right now between myself and Gomi down in Japan, come August. My management team’s talking with a lot of different organizations and I don’t really know how far that’s going through. You know, I’d fight Gomi for sure, in a heart beat. We’re just gonna wait and see right now. 

TFN: What do you think Gomi brings to the table, and how do you stack up? 

Chris Horodecki: I think Takanori Gomi’s probably one of the best 55 pounders in the world, you know, right behind BJ Penn. He’s got great strikes and wrestling ability and just for me to go up there and challenge a guy like that, it’d be great to make a spark in the division, for sure. 

TFN: Gomi’s always at the top of the lightweight top-ten lists, do you think he’s over rated? 

Chris Horodecki: Gomi isn’t overrated, he’s had great success in the past, you know, he’s just been kinda away right now. He fought Duanne (“BANG” Ludwig) his last fight, he needs a little bit of new life in him. 

TFN: You mention Duane Ludwig and Team Tompkins has always acquainted themselves with Duane, do you plan to contact him to get his perspective of what it’s like being in the ring with Gomi? 

Chris Horodecki: I could, ya, I could definitely look towards Duane’s past experience and see what he felt were his strengths, um, definitely have to review the fight and take the pointers from it, for sure. You know, Duane being a close friend of ours could be, definitely, a benefit towards me. 

TFN: Is there anyone in particular that you would train and spar with in preparation for Gomi? 

Chris Horodecki: Absolutely, Adam Jones (laughs). Um, probably down in Vegas. You know, Tyson Griffin, he’s short, compact and he knows how to throw hands from all different angles so a guy like Tyson Griffin would be a major attribute to that.

TFN: Speaking of throwing hands, Team Tompkins is well known for their standup ability’s. Your sparring partners Sam Stout and Mark Hominick have gone over to Japan to fight in K-1 and Shootboxing respectively. Is that something you would be interested in, since you’re strength is standup? 

Chris Horodecki: Yeah, I was supposed to fight in Shootbox down in Japan back last year, in June. It just happened to conflict with my IFL fight that I had right around that same time. I was supposed to fight the same time as Mark (Hominick) and Adam Higson did in shootboxing last year but it just, kinda conflicted. 

TFN: When was the last time you kickboxed? 

Chris Horodecki: Um, my last kickboxing fight, at least two years ago. Um, probably in Winnipeg. MMA’s been my main focus right now, I’d love to fight a kickboxing fight, especially, you know, if it was in a big organization like K-1, I’d do it in a heartbeat. 

TFN: With a possible fight in Sugoku coming up, can you tell us what your relationship is with the IFL right now? Are you still under contract? 

Chris Horodecki: Absolutely, you know, I’m still under contract and I’m still their athlete. Right now they’re just opening up the talent pool a little bit, letting their fighters get some work while they’re trying to re-build the organization. My relationship’s fine, I’m just waiting to see what’s going to happen and I hope everything clears out and goes well. 

TFN: Recently you, Sam Stout and Mark Hominick purchased your home gym of Team Tompkins in London Ontario, how’s that been and what are you plans with the gym? 

Chris Horodecki: Right now, London Ontario, you’re going to see the new Team Tompkins gym expand. It’s still the heart of Shawn, but now it’s going to be in a bigger facility, brand new, we’re going to do it like it should be. It’s going to go under the name of Adrenaline training center and we’re looking for a launch date, come September. 

TFN: So, you’ve taken on an instructor role here at Xtreme Courture in Toronto Ontario, how often will you be here to teach? 

Chris Horodecki: Me and Mark Hominick are down here twice a week working with some of the athletes they have here and also contributing some of what we know. The Gym is world class, it’s a state of the art facility and they’ve got world class coaches here that can help us in our game, in points that we’re going to improve in, and, they have athletes that need our help, so it’s been kind of a trade off and it’s been working out great for us. We really enjoy the trip up. 

TFN: With you and Mark here, is there any news that Sam Stout or Shawn Tompkins is going to be here? 

Chris Horodecki: Shawn is going to be here, he’s coming home, he’s getting married to Emily Stout (Sam’s sister) July 26th, that’s the big day. He’s got a fight coming up pretty soon down at the XFA. He’s making a return out of retirement and it’s going to be pretty interesting, he’s going to come home and we’re going to get some work in with the big dog. 

TFN: He’s usually the trainer, so, who’s going to be in Shawn’s corner for his fight with XFA? 

Chris Horodecki: You know, I’m sure he’ll have his boys with him, we’re always with him, and we’ll be with him just like he is for us. I know he’s probably been working with some striking coaches down in Vegas, who’s been holding mitts for him and keeping him busy, keeping him sharp. So, whoever he picks to walk him down, we’re going to be with him anyway. You guys get ready, he’s going to light up the world. It’s going to be a big night in Vegas, big night. 

TFN: Shawn’s fighting XFA and they’ve been showcasing some MMA talent, Vernon White and Mike Whitehead for example, do you think you might step into that ring as well? 

Chris Horodecki: Yeah, I’ve been approached by the promotion, me and Sam actually did the rules for their first show, we described the rules to the public. Definitely, the promoter is interested in having us come out and fight in his organization, you know, and we’d definitely been down for something like that, absolutely.  

TFN:  How has Shawn been as a coach? 

Chris Horodecki: As a coach? He’s world class, he’s highly searched for right now, you know, and everybody wants to train under him. I think his success is; he’s a coach in and out of the ring. He knows how to gear a particular style towards every single fighter and he gives that confidence to go into the ring and perform, especially with his core group, you know that he’s there with you. 

TFN: Well, it’s been great to talk with you Chris, thanks for the insight. 

Chris Horodecki: Thanks.