MMA Fighter Len Bentley Interview

Len Bentley is a prospect who has fought all over the United States and Canada. He is a gifted fighter who has fought for Strikeforce and M-1 Global. We were able to do an interview with this unique fighter.

You fought on the first Strikeforce Challengers card and beat Marques Daniels. Has Strikeforce been in contact with you about scheduling you for a second fight in their Challengers series?

we tried to get on this last Strikeforce show, but they used all amateurs for the under card. So, I was not able to get on that card, but then M-1 Global called.

How does it feel to be fighting in your second major promotion, M-1 Global’s 170 tournament?

I’m extremely excited to fight for M-1 Global. I have always wanted to fight in other countries besides just Canada. I know if I win the tournament, I will have those opportunities. I love the pressure of being able to compete at a high level.

What do you know about your opponent, Colin Schrader, and will you be watching his previous fights?

I looked Colin up and there was not much about him. He does not really have a long fighting background from what I could find. He has only had 4 MMA fights combined between amateur and pro. He seems like a game opponent and I’m not going to take him lightly. He has never fought a fight on my caliber so we will see what happens.

Besides mixed martial arts, what other hobbies do you like to do on your free time?

Some of my hobbies include watching movies. When I’m not training, I love to spend time in the theaters. I also spend a lot of time traveling and cross training with other camps in the northwest.

Is there anyone you would like to thank (coaches, family, sponsors)?

First, I’d like to thank M-1 Global for this opportunity. Dennis Hallman, Brad Blackburn and all my training partners at Victory Athletics. Brad Swartz, Ali Crosby at Vision Quest Sports and Fitness. Carlos Hernandez and Todd Para at Next Level Boxing.

Craig Ratanamorn Interview (Marshall University) Kicker

Craig Ratanamorn was the starting kicker for the Marshall University.

Which sport do you like to play more, soccer or football?

Football is now my life, but I am growing to love this sport too. I still like soccer a little more though.

What was the recruiting process like transferring from Barton C.C.?

It was an adventure being recruited as a junior college player not knowing who is interested in a goalie immediately, but I knew something would come along.

There are many NFL draft websites that believe that you have the kicking power to be signed by a NFL team as a free agent. Are you going to pursue an NFL career or are you planning on another career?

Playing in the NFL would be a dream; I will continue to work hard until the draft and the only thing we need to keep thinking about is to relax and have fun. I had a great pro day work out and from here I just have to wait and keep my goals steady and we will see what chances come along.


As a kicker, you need to be flexible. Can you tell us some of your stretching techniques?

I tend to do a lot of glutes/hamstring stretches as well as hip stretching. Those are the key muscle areas for a kicker. You can lift a lot of weights but that doesn't work out the little muscles that are most important to stay strong in the kicking game.

Jon Striefsky Interview (University of Delaware) Kicker

Jon Striefsky played for the University of Delaware Blue Hens. He was the starting kicker and is currently working out at a kicking camp to prepare for the NFL draft.

Q. Most kids aspire to play quarterback or running back. When did you know you wanted to be a kicker?

I don’t know if anyone grows up initially wanting to be a place kicker but I think as time goes by people gain a greater understanding about what their talents really are. Football in my town is king and most people can be found at North Penn games on Friday nights in the fall. I never really liked football growing up and I was already a three sport athlete. However, during the summer of my sophomore year I decided that I wanted to be part of it all and decided to learn to kick. I didn’t have much of a football frame at 6’ 165lbs or blazing speed so I figured QB and RB were out of the question.
That summer, I spent days playing baseball and nights out on the football field kicking balls with my family. At the time, I didn’t have one of the personal stands so my dad was my holder and both my mom and sister would shag balls. I think I kicked his fingers at least 100 times that summer and also found out that my sister throws a better spiral than me. I’ll never forget using the cap from a detergent bottle for a kickoff tee until I decided that I was good enough to buy a real one to practice with.
In the fall, I won the starting placement job and my high school team won the state championship with a 15-0 record. It was during that year that I realized my love for football, the spotlight of kicking and the overall atmosphere of big crowds and rowdy fans. From that season on, I’ve tried to embrace the position but also show my teammates and coaches that being a kicker doesn’t mean you’re not an athlete or hard worker in the weight room.

Q:Are you planning on pursuing a career in the NFL after you graduate or is there another career path you might take?

I am currently pursuing an NFL career with complete focus and believe that I have what it takes to be a pro. I spent the last two months living and training full time in Modesto, California with well respected kicking coach, Paul Assad. The work has certainly paid off both from a kicking and physical standpoint. However, I must say that my journey to be an NFL kicker started far before the last few months and I feel that it was the work I put in over the past few years that will be what pays dividends.
I recently attended Gary Zauner’s draft eligible combine in Phoenix, Arizona and finished in his "Group 1" classification which he describes as the “Specialists I [Zauner] believe currently have the skills and talent to be in an NFL, CFL or UFL training camp and compete for a roster spot.”


Q. Are there any rituals you go through before each game?

I don’t think I do anything that is out of the ordinary or special on game day because I try to treat every day of practice with the same mindset I follow on Saturdays. I have a game day mix on my iPod though that I rock in order to get amped up about an hour before the team heads out to the field.
This year, my strength coach, Jason Baileau, had me come into the weight room on game day mornings to get a light lift and stretch in to “wake up” my muscles. It was something I found to be very helpful and it was just another thing I can thank him for over the course of my career.


Q. Can you describe the atmosphere playing at Delaware Stadium?

Talk about a place to play! There isn’t a better place to strap it up in 1AA and I’m positive the atmosphere can compete with a lot of the FBS. I will never forget the first time I ran out of the tunnel my freshman year and I still get the chills when I think of "Hells Bells" playing over the stereo system. Everyone around you is going crazy and when I sit back and reflect, there is no better feeling. Getting hyped up for a game with the guys you sweat and bled with over the previous nine months while knowing inside your head that you did everything you could to be prepared for that given Saturday is one of the great aspects of football. I can honestly say that Delaware is a place where its fans care as much about the team as the players. You can always count on 23,000 people filling The Tub for home games regardless of weather or record.
As a former walk-on player, I always considered it a privilege to step on that field and did my best both on and off of it to never take the opportunity for granted.

Q. What is your favorite memory playing for Blue Hens?

It’s difficult to choose just one. My career was full of so many memorable moments, people and experiences that it would be near impossible to choose. Kicking at the Uni-Dome in Northern Iowa and hitting 2 second half field goals from 47 and 46 yards ranks up near the top though. That entire playoff run in 2007 was something I will always remember. Getting to play on ESPN four times in one season while lacing it up with a current NFL starting QB (Joe Flacco) are things that most people can only dream of doing.