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”Fighters are more talented these days – no one-trick ponies anymore”
Janne Elonen-Kulmala. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
Finnish MMA veteran Janne Elonen-Kulmala is set for another big fight in his return to OKTAGON MMA.
On November 9, he will face the young and promising Roman Paulus in a bantamweight bout in Bratislava, Slovakia. Both fighters have momentum as they are going into the cage, with impressive back-to-back stoppage wins, but Elonen-Kulmala intends to stop the 24-year-old Paulus in his tracks.
”Roman is a young Slovakian well-rounded prodigy,” Elonen-Kulmala tells Frontkick about the fight. ”I think he is more like a counter striker and doesn’t like high pace fights. Me neither.”
Janne Elonen-Kulmala: ”Fighters are more talented these days”
After more than two decades as a fighter, and 30 pro bouts, Janne Elonen-Kulmala is one of the biggest MMA veterans in Finland. The sport has developed a lot since he made his pro debut back in 2008.
”A lot has changed. There are a lot more fighters nowadays. Today there can also be fathers and daughters who train together for fun. Normal citizens. You didn’t see that 20 years ago. Fighters are more talented these days. No one-trick ponies anymore. The biggest change might be that MMA is nowadays an organized sport. There are worldwide amateur-game and things like that.”
What do you do to still find motivation to keep fighting after such a long and successful career?
”I have been fighting for over 20 years. I think it is not about motivation anymore. I am past that. It’s just a routine, something that I am used to.”
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