Europa
Samuel Bark is closing in on 100 fights: ”Just a couple more and I’ll be there!”
Samuel Bark interview. Photo by Johnathon ”SWEEP” Michael
Swedish MMA fighter and Muay Thai champion Samuel ”Sammon Decker” Bark racked up another impressive stoppage win this past Saturday. In the main event at AFN 8, he demolished Ricardo Monteiro with ground-and-pound in the second round.
”It was fun. I’ve never had top control before and boxed from those angles,” Bark tells Frontkick in an exclusive interview. ”I wanted to control the kicking distance, but I want to box more too.”
The Swede started the fight with five chopping leg kicks that echoed through the arena. Monteiro seemed bothered by the kicks and soon tried to clinch up.
”I don’t know how much the kicks affected him, but I should have just gone in with the boxing,” Bark says. ”But you know, I can get a new fight soon.”
Despite completely dominating his opponent and putting on a real beating, the Swede sounds almost disappointed with this performance. Especially that he didn’t get a highlight reel knockout.
”I know I can do it, so it becomes almost unnecessary that I don’t get a good knockout. It just sucks that it didn’t happen.”
Samuel Bark fought in multiple major organizations
During his three years as a pro, Samuel fought in many major organizations just below the UFC level. He put on a series of great performances in OKTAGON MMA, UAE Warriors and Cage Warriors. The fights shaped him as a mixed martial artist and put himself on the map for many European fans.
”These fights are very important. To climb up the ladder, you need those kinds of fights.”
How is the level of fighting in these organizations?
”I think OKTAGON and Cage Warriors are awesome organizations, and a lot of big names have competed there.”
”I’ve faced opponents in Thailand who fought way more than fighters in the UFC. I’m not dissing anyone, but my experience as a fighter is important. I have been in these situations so many times, I have a lot of experience in staying calm and making the other person uncomfortable.”
Is the mental game one of your best tools?
”It’s to my advantage. I remember what it’s like to face fighters in the ring back in the early days. When people are very confident, it can affect a fighter. I’m not looking at my opponent at all. When he’s trying to look at me, he won’t be so confident anymore.”
Samuel Bark interview. Photo via OKTAGON MMA
”Just a couple more and I’ll be there!”
With 75 Muay Thai and kickboxing bouts, as well as 13 pro MMA fights, ”Sammon Decker” is a very experienced combat sports athlete.
”I’ve soon had 100 fights. Just a couple more and I’ll be there!”
With Bark’s fighting style, pace and exceptional ability to take fights on short notice, he could very well reach 100 bouts in the next few years.
”I’m hoping for one more fight in 2024 or perhaps early next year. I’ve already started training again. I keep myself ready for short notice opportunities. The Muay Thai training I’m used to is intense, two-three week camps rather than two months as in MMA. I stay in shape so I can afford to take a fight at short notice.”
- VIDEO: MMA fighter DQ’d after vicious head kick KO – in boxing fight!!
- Samuel Bark interview: “I’m not f**king scared of his boxing!”
