Gallicchio Ready for Igor Gracie
Tom Gallicchio is never one to back down from a fight. At just 21 years old, he’s had 10 pro fights in his career and carries an impressive record of 7-3 which includes a three-round war with the “Soul Stealer” Nate LaMotte. While Gallicchio has yet to receive a lot of t.v.-time, his fights never dissapoint the crowds of Atlantic City and Brookdale, N.J.
He’s a tough customer for any welterweight, bringing a solid ground game along with a willingness to scrap to every fight. This March 7, Gallicchio is fighting Igor Gracie in Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat … MMAphotography.com recently caught up with Gallicchio for a short interview.
Here’s what he had to say…
Your career includes some great wins over opponents like Marc Stevens, Jose Sulsona, Nate LaMotte and Corey LaPlant … what has been your toughest fight to date and why?
That’s a tough question. At the time Marc Stevens, because my skills weren’t up to par. I looked at my first fight (the one against Stevens) recently and was disgusted … I wasnt ready to fight yet but I was tough and was lucky enough to get the win.
Jose Sulsona is a great stand-up fighter, but I didn’t have much trouble with him because I took him to my world.
Overall I’d have to say Nate LaMotte [was my toughest fight] because he fights like me … he can stand, he can go to the ground and he can wrestle, and hes tough as hell.
You went through a rough patch and suffered back-2-back losses to Chris Reedy and Doug Gordon. What did you learn from thise losses and how did they help get you back on track winning back to back fights to finish out 2007?
With Gordon, I got caught plain and simple and with Reedy I didn’t go into the fight like I did in the begining just having fun. I learned to be submission aware and never feel like your out of a submission until you ‘re completely ready. But there’s no excuses, they were the better fighters that day.
Your now a Battle Cage Xtreme Welterweight Champion, how excited are you about the opportunity to fight against one of the newest GRACIEs (Igor)?
It’s a great oppertunity. I wish the fight were tommorow. I’m ready to put on a show.
Who was the first Gracie you ever watched compete in MMA? What was the fight?
Funny story. I never used to watch the UFC. I’ve saw a few comercials and a few fights when I was younger and said, “I want to fight. I love fighting, shit’s fun,” then I had a few pro fights and I started to watch it. Now, I’m a full-fledged fan, but to answer your question — Royce. I’ve seen him beat up some karate guy. I caught it on an UFC: Unleashed.”
A fighter’s goal has got to be to win at all costs, but what’s motivating you most for your next fight?
I love to fight and hate to lose, and plus I get to show Lou Neglia that he’s been missing out by not having me on his fight cards.
You almost got a chance to fight with Rory Markham on the IFL’s New Year’s Eve — World Grand Prix — fight card. Markham ended up losing that night by TKO, what would Gallicchio-Markham have looked like if it went down?
EXCITING
You’ve come a long way from your early fights in Combat in the Cage — as a 170-pounder do you feel your ready to make the next step and begin fighting the best in the world?
I would love to take a step to a higher organization like the UFC. I don’t think I’m ready for guys like Koscheck, Fitch and St. Pierre … I’m 21. I still got more growing to do to be a big 170-pounder. They are in their late-20s. They’re already done growing. They’re big for the weight class, but there are some lower-tier UFC guys I think I can take. I still have about 20 years and 90 more fights left in my career. There’s no need to be rushed to the top.
Welterweight Tom Gallicchio, Roddy and Moreno all reportedly shared a package of quality Pathmark chicken nuggets before their respective fights, heated 3-4 at a time in a single microwave. All three guys said they entered the cage that night confident and ready to take care of business.