Spencer Grekoski talks upcoming fight with Kris Lindsay at USKA Fight Night

Spencer Grekoski is one of North America's up and coming Muay Thai stars. He made his pro debut in late 2014 with a huge KO victory over veteran Chris Kwiatkowski. Spencer will be fighting Kris Lindsay on February 7th at USKA Fight Night and will once again be looking to score a stoppage victory.

Spencer was kind enough to sit down with Muay Thai Authority and talk about his big win against Kwiatkowski, his upcoming fight against Lindsay and few other things.

MTA: You are fighting Kris Lindsay Feb 7th. How has training for the fight been going?

Spencer: The training for this fight has been great! I'm feeling strong and very sharp! Luckily I'm able to train twice a day right now so I will be in great shape. Usually lighter pad rounds in the morning with some strength training and a run, bags, pads and clinching in the afternoon.

MTA: You made a successful pro debut in late 2014. How was it knocking out a respected vet like Chris Kwiatkowski for your pro debut?

Spencer: Oh man that was an amazing feeling! All the hard work me and my trainer Chris Tran put in for the fight paid off. I'm very lucky to have such a great trainer who sacrifices a lot to make sure that when I step into the ring I'm 100% ready.

MTA: How has training or fight preparation changed from that fight to this one?

Spencer: Honestly no different at all. I train the same for every fight that I have.

MTA: How familiar are you with Kris Lindsay as a fighter?

Spencer: I'm not really familiar with him. I think he's a Kickboxer. I'm just trying to fight as much as possible to gain experience. But I would really like to face top level guys.

MTA: When you train are you looking to implement a particular game plan come fight night or is it just all around training?

Spencer: Not really. We just train hard and let it play out in the ring. Because in my opinion you can't really count on videos you have seen of previous fights because he's not fighting you. So it will be different.

MTA: Can you tell fans a little bit about your background. How you got started in Muay Thai etc.?

Spencer: I got into Muay Thai by just seeing some clips online of the fights from the 1990s which was the golden era and wanted to check it out. It helped because before I got involved in the gym was getting in trouble and hanging out with the wrong group of people. Once I walked into Weapons 9 I was hooked and never looked back.
 

MTA: How is Chris Tran as a trainer?

Spencer: Chris Tran and Joe Pelligrino have been my trainers since I started and will be until I finish. I literally owe them everything. Chris trains me in the mornings and gets to the gym early to give me more pad rounds before class. Even if he's sick, tired, or very busy he always goes out of his way for me. I work on my hands a lot with Joe who has great boxing and really helps me get my mental game on point before I go into the ring. I have the best team and trainers I could ask for. Miguel Mayorga also helps me whenever I need help.

MTA: Who are some of your favorite fighters in Muay Thai?

Spencer: I have a few, Liam Harrison, Pornsanae Sitmonchai, Boonlai, and Thepnimit Sitmonchai. I just like the aggression and power in their shots. Boonlai was so slick and smart in thing ring.

MTA: If you could face any opponent who would it be?

Spencer: Honesty I have no one I want to face in particular. But first I want to fight high level opponents in North America and see where it goes from there.

MTA: Can we get a prediction for your fight?

Spencer: The fight won't go the distance. TKO/KO round 2 via head kick or a cut is what I'm looking for

MTA: Spencer any words for your supporters?

Spencer: Just want to thank everyone who supports me and comes to see me fight! I would also like to thank Sok Sai Muay Thai for always making sure I have the best fight shorts and my sponsors at Apollon Nutrition.

*Photos by Steve Bauzen, check out more of his photography at www.Bauzen.com

USKA Fight Night bringing full rules Muay Thai to Pennsylvania

USKA Fight Night will take place on September 6^th in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. The event will be the first full rules Muay Thai event in the state. Promoter Irvin Althouse has been in the fight game for quite some time, 13 years ago he was the only promotion for Kickboxing in Pennsylvania and he introduced modified Muay Thai rules for amateurs. When asked about how he felt about bringing full rules Muay Thai to Pennsylvania Althouse expressed his excitement.

 “I am very excited but nervous because I have so much riding on this show” said Althouse. “I am honored that USKA will bring the first full rules Muay Thai show to PA.  13 years ago the USKA was the only promotion for Kickboxing in PA.  We introduced modified Thai rules to PA for amateur Thai and international leg kick rules.”

Althouse described the Muay Thai community in Pennsylvania as great and with him bringing full rules Muay Thai to the state fighters will not have to travel to compete and gain experience. When it came to selecting the main event for his first full rules Muay Thai event in Pennsylvania, Jenn Heffentrager was the match maker assigned to make great fights. It was important to put on a great Muay Thai display and Heffentrager selected Pennsylvania native Justin Greskiewicz to take on one of North America’s best, Matt Embree.

“WOW Matt Embree is the number one Thai fighter in North America and Justin is in my eye the Top Thai fighter in PA” said Althouse. “I am giving Justin a chance to fight in his home town against a top fighter. That is pretty sweet.”

The fight will be crucial as both fighters will be looking to rebound from losses in their last outing. Embree, known as a master technician will look to stifle the move forward style of Greskiewicz. The Pennsylvania native will undoubtedly be looking to impress in front of his home crowd. Throughout his career Greskiewicz has made his name by taking tough fights with a fight anyone anytime mentality.

Fans of Muay Thai that can’t make it to Pennsylvania need not worry because the event will be available for PPV online at www.FutureoftheGame.tv. Orlando Lozada the founder of Future of the Game is excited to be able to bring this fight to Muay Thai fans with the online PPV, but he also understands that being the first brings pressure.

“It's very exciting to be a part of history” said Lozada. “There is a lot of pressure as well because being the 1st one; we want to set a good tone for the sport in the state.”

The online PPV will not only feature the main event bout between Matt Embree and Justin Greskiewicz, but a full fight card of Muay Thai action. Other fights that will be featured on the broadcast are Marcus Fisher vs. Stephen Richards, Jason Heflin vs. Dann Cucuta, and Ben Pride vs. Greg Rowe.

According to Lozada you can purchase the event in advance for $9.95 and with that purchase viewers will also get access to three USKA amateur Muay Thai cards. The fight will cost $14.95 the day of the fight so ordering early can save you $5.

Matt Embree vs. Justin Greskiewicz set for September 6th in Hamburg, PA

Canada's Matt Embree and America's Justin Greskiewicz are set to fight in the main event of USKA Fight Night. The event will be the first Muay Thai event to take place in the state of Pennsylvania. 

Embree will be looking to rebound from his split decision loss to Kevin Ross earlier this year. Known as one of North America's premier technicians Embree has not been as active in 2014 as was in years past. The fight with Greskiewicz is only the second scheduled fight for Embree this year.

Greskiewicz will meet Malaipet Sasiprapa at Lion Fight 17 one month before his fight with Embree. If Greskiewicz can defeat Malaipet he would enter the bout with Embree with two big wins in a row. He most recently defeated Jose Palacios under the Friday Night Fights banner in New York.

USKA Fight Night takes place September 6, 2014 at The Hamburg Field House in Hamburg, PA.