Mac Danzig

Last year was a year for many new emerging stars to get their opportunity to shine and perhaps none shined brighter than Millennia Jiu-Jitsu fighter Mac Danzig.At just 25-years-old, Danzig had been fighting in MMA since 2001 and had done well in his career, but never had the opportunity to make a real push in the business until 2005.

When he was given that opportunity, he took it and ran with it, winning all six of his fights last year, culminating in his first major MMA title as he defeated Takumi Nakayama for the King of the Cage Lightweight Championship in October.Now poised to make his first title defense, Danzig took the time out to discuss with MMA Weekly his breakthrough year and what he's got in store for 2006.
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Mac continued, "I finally got a chance to showcase my skills.I was fighting in venues that were really small against guys that weren't really that good back in 2002/03 and when I finally got the chance to drop to 155 the right way with a new diet I was able to put everything together.Sometimes it takes a couple years in your career, a couple years of training and fighting, to get to the point where you've stepped your game up.That's what happened.I'm happy but there is still tons of room for improvement."

Next up for Danzig is his first title defense against a very tough and game fighter who is known for a never-say-die attitude.
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Maybe a couple of years I may have not been ready for it, the pressure might have bothered me a bit, but now I'm fine with it," admitted Danzig.
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"To finally see a payoff with John finally getting his second shot with the UFC against Diego Sanchez, my success, Gabe's, it's great to see all the hard work pay off and now Millennia is starting to get a name again," commented Mac.
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Speaking of Alessio, Danzig believes he'll be more than a match for rising UFC star Diego Sanchez when the two face off in April.
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Mac continued, "Diego is really hard to take out of his gameplan.
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As for who he'd like to fight if given his dream opportunity in Pride, Mac made it clear that there is one fighter there that just rubs him the wrong way."I really want to fight (Tatsuya) Kawajiri, there's something about that guy, I don't know why, I don't know him personally, but I really want to beat the crap out of him [laughs].I don't know what it is, but I just see that guy and I know he's a really tough fight and I want to fight him.I want to fight any of those guys in Bushido or Top 10 guys; it doesn't matter."

Danzig concluded, "I just want to say I go out there to be the most exciting fighter I can be every time.