Dean “The Boogeyman” Lister From Croatia
By Dave Carpinello
PDG: Dean thanks for your time. Since your fight at UFC Fight Night 8 in January, what have you been doing and where?
Dean Lister: I had been training for my comeback fight and I was also going to defend my ADCC world championship against Roger Gracie. Unfortunately during a sparring session I was hit in an awkward way and ended up tearing my right bicep. I had surgery the next day and I have been working on my rehab ever since.
PDG: Business and career wise what is next? Any upcoming events that you can tell your fans about?
Dean Lister: I am currently working on opening an Xtreme Couture gym in San Diego with Randy, and Rob Garcia. We should be open by mid September. Check out our myspace page for information. (http://www.myspace.com/xtremesd). I am also looking to be back in the cage before the end of the year with a more fierce Boogeyman than anybody has seen before.
PDG: You have fought for many organizations including KOTC, PRIDE and the UFC. Which one of these companies did you most enjoy?
Dean Lister: The UFC by far. It is what every fighter in the world aspires to.
PDG: So, then what is your opinion of the direction of MMA for the future? After the UFC purchase of Pride and the growing popularity of the WEC, Cage Rage, Bodog, etc?
Dean Lister: It is amazing how fast it has grown, but it certainly was not unexpected. I think the direction is great and the fans will get to see a lot of incredible fights for a long time.
PDG: Most fans know that you have been in Croatia training with Mirko “Cro Cop”. How has that been? And what other fighters have been training with you two?
Dean Lister: Training with Cro Cop has been amazing and we are definitely learning a lot from each others fighting style. I know that I have to work on my stand up game to get that championship belt around my waste, and I think I am training with one of the best. Before I arrived here in Croatia I had been training with Randy Couture in Las Vegas in order to get him ready for his upcoming fight. He is ready.
PDG: Do you think Mirko is prepared mentally and physically for his upcoming fight against Kongo?
Dean Lister: Mirko has always had an excellent plan of attack for every fight. He is definitely ready mentally and certainly physically, but I do believe that his appetite to get back in that cage is 10 times what it was a few months ago.
PDG: Back to your career. What aspect of MMA is more appealing to you? Fighting in events or the training/teaching with other fighters?
Dean Lister: I love teaching. I love sharing my sport with people who are truly passionate about learning it. I also feel that I connect with students very well and they really get a sense of my passion for the sport. I love fighting because it lets me test myself against the very best, and I know that very soon I will look to be the very best by challenging for the UFC title.
PDG: On a closing note; as far as your resume is concerned. In your opinion what was your best professional fight?
Dean Lister: Wow, I guess my most impressive win was against Alessio Sakara in my UFC debut at the staples center.
PDG: Thanks again for your time and good luck in the future!
Dean Lister: Thank you and don’t forget to visit http://www.myspace.com/deanlister and http://www.XtremeCouture.com for all of the latest news on my gym.
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