This Saturday, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre will host UFC Fight Night 33: Hunt vs. Bigfoot, and Queensland Reds star Saia Fainga’a – a big fan of the sport – will be live at the fight, showing his support for a relative in the octagon.
The Wallabies-capped hooker spoke with The Roar about his connection to MMA, its similarities to rugby and the prospect of ever seeing him inside a cage.
Jason Tulio: So you’re related to Soa ‘The Hulk’ Palelei?
Saia Fainga’a: Yeah, we’re from the same island which is always good. I think every Tongan who’s from the same village are cousins or relatives or something so it’s quite interesting.
Are you a big fan of MMA?
Yeah, obviously with getting to know Soa and Mark (Hunt) and all the fighters, learning more about the sport. It’s an amazing sport and they’re great athletes.
Being an athlete yourself, you appreciate the work that they put in.
Being from a rough sport yourself, do you feel a sense of kinship with MMA fighters?
I suppose you can’t really describe what (the fighters) go through. I’ve got 14 other players to help me out, whereas they’re in there by themselves.
It’s a lot harder to get into (an MMA fight) by yourself because you’ve got nowhere to hide.
I would never put myself in the same category as these guys. They’re the greatest athletes – you’ve got to be very strong-willed and very narrow-minded because there is no turning back.
Do you feel there is some transfer of skills between rugby and MMA?
Absolutely. I think the grappling and takedowns, wrestling on the floor, I think you can get a lot of pay out of that.
The way that boxers push people using the palm – a lot of things transfer.
You need a lot of skill, a lot of footwork which boxers have as well. There are a lot of similarities in both sports.
In terms of grappling, do you feel it comes in to play in positions like the ruck and the scrum?
Definitely in the rucks and mauls and probably the scrum because you’re in that wrestle, you’re in that fight and you’ve got to stay in the challenge.
Even if it’s only for a couple of seconds in a scrum or ruck but that could be a turnover or a scrum your way.
They’re big gains for us and you can definitely tell when they’re in submission or if you’re on top, for us that’s key.
What about in things like pilfering the ball?
When I talk about turnovers I’m talking about pilfering, making low tackles, slowing down the ball. I’m talking about a scrum when you’re in the fight, all those kinds of attributes that the wrestlers and judo players have. That comes in to play.
Do you see any similarities between a rugby brawl and a fight in the cage?
Thank god there aren’t many rugby brawls and our sport isn’t about that. The things like boxing and palming, there’s a transfer but definitely not the fighting. They’re in a school of their own.
I’m sure none of the rugby guys would want to get in a fight with one of the UFC guys, that’s for sure.
Would you ever consider getting into the cage yourself?
I’d get in to a cage and watch (laughs). For me, I’m a good spectator and maybe one day. Hopefully if (Soa) shows me some moves I’d like to.
I’ve had a lot of experience and a lot of guys wanting to help me out so maybe one day I’d like to. It’d be good to actually see where I’m at in that skill level.
Have you ever trained in any combat sports?
I’ve done a lot of boxing and wrestling, especially transferring from rugby. So that would be exciting and I would love to see where that kind of ends up in a long term position.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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