Kakutougi: For those that are hearing your name here for the first time, tell us exactly who "Martin Lidberg" is.

Martin: I'm a guy from the Stockholm suburbs. I've been an athlete all my life. Love challenges and always give 100% to what I do.

I've done very well in my wrestling career. Won close to everything you can win within Greco Roman wrestling, European and World Championship gold medals, among other things.

As a wrestler, I'm complete technically, tactically, and physically. But my strength more than anything is my explosiveness. For more info, see my website www.martinlidberg.com.

Kakutougi: Why the departure from pure wrestling?

Martin: I've won almost everything there is within wrestling and I need new goals and challenges. I've seen a lot of wrestlers succeed very well in MMA. For example, there is Dan Henderson who I beat in the quarterfinals in the Atlanta Olympic Games. The events and the interest are enormous, and that's why I see it as very fun to start competing in MMA. In addition, there are good economic conditions, and I think I've got a good chance of doing well if I get to prepare myself properly.

Kakutougi: What do you think of the rise of MMA, and have you been following it on an international level?

Martin: I think it's very good that we fighters finally begin to get the deserved interest and status. We have to thank MMA for that. I've followed it a bit but because of my wrestling career, I've not had the time to get into it completely before.

Kakutougi: You will be fighting a "mixed rules" fight against Gary Turner. What are your thoughts on your opponent? He has some experience in the ring and on the mat already.

(Note: Match rules are: 3 rounds standing and submission wrestling with no strikes on the ground)

Martin: I know it's going to be a tough call. But I train to adapt according to his style, and I hope my time to prepare, going on 1.5 month, will be enough for a victory. Which is also what I believe will happen. I train now both in standing and submissions, and develop as a fighter every day.

Kakutougi: You said earlier this will be a “fun start”, so depending on how the fight goes would you consider joining pure MMA?

Martin: I'm meeting representatives from HEROs Japan in Las Vegas this week, and I'll see what they can offer me as a deal and the possibilities. Then, I'll consider a potential MMA fight.

Kakutougi: In this upcoming HERO's trial, what sorts of thing do you expect to be able to show them?

Martin: I expect to show a good physique, and what I've learned this short time. I also think they'll accept that I've got the heart and courage needed.

Kakutougi: Several stars in MMA came from a wrestling background such as yours. What do you think of guys like Coleman, Randleman, Lindland, and Couture? Will Lidberg be joining this list of elite MMA wrestlers?

Martin: They're all really good fighters that have done well adapting the wrestling and style to MMA. If I choose to dedicate hard training to MMA, I'm convinced I'll do well and join the guys above.

Kakutougi: You mentioned him at the start of the interview, and have already beaten him in pure wrestling. What do you think about Dan Henderson, the current Welter weight Champion of PRIDE?

Martin: Dan is a very good fighter, and he was already a tough opponent on the wrestling mat.

Kakutougi: Do you have any favorite fighters in MMA and K-1?

Martin: Dan Henderson and Peter Aerts

Kakutougi: What advice would you like to give people looking in to start wrestling?

Martin: It's a wonderful sport where being an all rounder is optimal. Regardless of whether you want to train to be the best in the world or not, you've got use for the wrestling-training in everything you do. The physique and coordination becomes very good this serves as complementary training to other sports as well.

Kakutougi: At what age would one have to start practicing wrestling to become a Martin Lidberg?

Martin: Really early so every grip/hold/shoot comes as second nature at adult age.

Kakutougi: Regarding your training for this specific fight, you are training both standing and on the mat; what styles and with who?

Martin: I train right now both wrestling at Sparvagen, Shooto with Omar Bouiche, and standing with Mats Soderstrom as my trainer at Vallentuna Boxing Camp.

Kakutougi: Do you have any previous stand up experience?

Martin: I trained a little Thai-boxing when I was 15.

Kakutougi: What was it like for you putting the gloves on and getting kicked and hit in training/sparring by a pro for the first time?

Martin: Unusual! However, as a wrestler you're used to it being tough and you adapt faster than a lot of people.

Kakutougi: And what is the submission wrestling like?

Martin: It feels very natural actually. But, of course, I have to drill the finishes. The pattern of movement is something I've got with me from the wrestling though.

Kakutougi: Was it easy to adapt from Greco-Roman to submission wrestling?

Martin: No sport is easy, and I've still only trained this approximately 3 weeks! But I'm evolving fast on the mat, and that's where I have to put the most focus for the fight in K-1 Scandinavia because I don't have time to become a complete standup fighter in 1.5 month. My intention is to finish Gary on the ground.

Kakutougi: How's sparring going? Are you doing well or did you tap out a lot when starting out?

Martin: No, I've not had to tap out that often, but my training partners have. But, in the beginning, you go more on pure strength than technique.

Kakutougi: Jorgen Kruth (previous interview HERE) is said to be good on the mat. Did you two train mixed rules when sparring?

Martin: Unfortunately I've not had the chance to train with him on the mat yet, because he has to train a lot of standup fighting for K-1 Scandinavia in Stockholm.

Kakutougi: With all these new influences, how would you describe your fighting style today?

Martin: Tactical. But I don't think I've developed my style yet really. I am training all parts and will soon put together the pieces of the puzzle. But I'm working more aggressively on the ground so far, because that's where I feel most safe and secure right now.

Kakutougi: Are you incorporating any plain weight-training into your preparation? Can you give us an idea of how strong a wrestler is?

Martin: A wrestler must be very strong because of all the lifts and throws done, and also very conditioned with good stamina. A combination that's not always easy. I think wrestling requires more strength than the mixed rules fight, so I've cut down on the weight-training for my fight with Gary. But I've got the physical tools.

Kakutougi: Would you care to share any numbers in terms of what you lift, like benchpress and squats?

Martin: I previously used to bench-press about 170kg (375 lbs) and used 220kg (485 lbs) for deep squats.

Kakutougi: Are you on any special diet?

Martin: I try to eat at set times, and try to vary what I eat as much as possible, with a focus on lots of fruits, vegetables, and so on.

Kakutougi: In May, you will be fighting in front of 10,000 people in Sweden. Is it your largest and maybe loudest audience yet, or what sort of numbers does wrestling attract?

Martin: I have been to Russia, Turkey, and Iran where wrestling is really big. I also competed in World Championships in Sweden and had strong support from the audience. I've been in similar situations before. But it's going to be a great feeling.

Kakutougi: And maybe later in Japan fighting in HERO’s, in front of 50,000 people...

Martin: I have never competed in front of that many, but I think all nervousness goes away when you enter an arena like that. Adrenaline and endorphins should be pumping, so I think it's a massive kick.

Kakutougi: Do you have any words to the fans on location in Globen for K-1 Scandinavia?

Martin: You'll see a fight like never before; with Lidberg as winner of course!