When John”Doomsday” Howard steps into the Octagon on Saturday, December 5 against veteran Dennis “Superman” Hallman, he will not only be competing for his third straight victory in the UFC, he will also be taking part in a real-life reenactment of the most iconic comic book battle of all time. In the original 1992 storyline, Superman and Doomsday waged war through the streets of Metropolis until both combatants eventually succumbed to their wounds.
While the comic book geek in Howard is excited to take part in a fight with more intangible appeal than name value, he revealed in an exclusive interview with Tapology’s Steven Kelliher that he envisions the ending much differently than the comic’s creative team did. After he takes care of business at the Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale in Las Vegas, Nevada, Howard would like a crack at another MMA legend: none other than former Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes.
Tapology: Have you predominantly been training at Wai Kru Mixed Martial Arts in Boston since you were last in action?
Howard: Yeah, that is the main school I train at all of the time. I do some cross training with Joe Lauzon here and there, working on submission escapes and stuff, but I try to keep it local and basic.
Tapology: What have you been focusing on in this training camp?
Howard: Basically submission escapes. I’m fighting Dennis Hallman—he beat Matt Hughes twice, he’s a legend in this sport, and I’m working on defending the takedowns, the ground game, basically all of his strengths so I can turn them into weaknesses and beat him like that.
Tapology: Before we get to Hallman, I wanted to focus on your first two UFC fights against Chris Wilson and Tamdan McCrory. What did you think about both of those fights?
Howard: I think Chris Wilson was a real good performance on my side, but I think McCrory’s height made it really difficult for me, but I got through it and I’m just happy with the win. The reach with both of those guys was just unbelievable, especially with Tamdan.
Tapology: You recently transitioned from the local MMA scene to the big stage in the UFC. Have you felt a proportionate increase in pressure fighting in the UFC?
Howard: I felt a little pressure, but not too much. I didn’t really let it get into my head, it was just another day at the office for me. I felt comfortable and like I was at home in my first fight.
Tapology: Your first two fights have been split decision victories. Is it safe to assume you will be looking to win this one a little more definitively?
Howard: I’m really just looking to get the win. I’ll take the win any way it comes, split decision, it doesn’t matter as long as I get the win. The UFC is the top of the game, so just to get a win—to get two wins—is an accomplishment, so if I get three wins I’ll be happy with it.
Tapology: Moving on to December 5, you are fighting Dennis Hallman. Do you think the biggest threat he poses to you is the ground game, or are you looking for him to test you elsewhere as well?
Howard: Basically the ground game and his clinch game is pretty good. His striking is basic, but I come from a boxing background so I think I have a little more experience in that area than he does.
Tapology: Do you think Hallman’s best days are behind him or are you looking for the best we have seen of him?
Howard: I preparing for the Hallman who submitted Matt Hughes. I know he is training hard for me—this is his big chance to get another shot at Matt Hughes—and I’m sorry that he has to go through me to get it. I’m not going in there to lose. If he does beat me, oh well, but I’m going out with a fight.
Tapology: You mentioned training on the ground with Lauzon, but do you think your boxing is going to give you the edge in this fight?
Howard: I think my boxing will be a little sharper than his, and I think I’m faster than him. I think I can hang with him on the ground, but I don’t think it would be smart for me to mess with him there.
Tapology: Has most of the ground work you have been doing with Lauzon been defensive in nature?
Howard: Mainly, yes. I’ve been working on submission defense and getting back to my feet.
Tapology: Your nickname is “Doomsday” while Hallman’s is “Superman”. Do you know if the UFC put that match together on purpose or no?
Howard: I actually heard it was by accident. I always wanted to fight someone named Superman; it’s just so awesome, and I think it’s going to bring a lot to this fight specifically, because a lot of comic book geeks like me will bring a lot of attention.
Tapology: Do you see the fight going anything like it did in the comic books?
Howard: Yeah, I’m all into the comic books, but I want to stop Superman from coming back—he always came back in the comic books.
Tapology: If you do get by Dennis Hallman, you will be 3-0 in one of the toughest divisions in the sport. How big would that be for you?
Howard: That would be amazing, a dream come true. I’m not looking forward like that, I’m going day by day, but we’ll see what happens.
Tapology: On a side note, Marcus Davis fights in your division, and he is also from your neck of the woods, so would you have a problem fighting against him or do you not have any personal ties with him?
Howard: I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but I wouldn’t want to fight him. I know him from the local scene—I was actually watching him coming up—but that is not a fight I am looking forward to.
Tapology: If you do win this fight, you are probably looking at some bigger names in the welterweight division. Is there anyone that jumps out at you specifically that you might want to fight down the line?
Howard: If I beat Hallman, I want to fight Matt Hughes. If I beat the guy that beat Hughes twice, I want Hughes. I feel confident that I have the skills to beat him.
Tapology: I don’t know if this fight will be on the television broadcast or not, but is it important to you to put on a good show to get yourself on that broadcast?
Howard: I’m just going out there to fight and I’ll let God decide where the fight winds up. Going over all of that stuff is crazy man, because at the end of the day you cannot control any of it. You have to go out there, fight with your heart, and hope for the best.
Tapology: What can we expect from you going into 2010 and beyond?
Howard: Of course I want to be world champion. I want to fight GSP one day if he is still the champion. I’d like to stay in this sport for 10 or 15 years, so hopefully I will.
Tapology: Anyone you would like to thank?
Howard: My team at Wai Kru and the team at Lauzon MMA in Bridgewater, MA.
Tapology: Thanks for the time.
Howard: Thank you.
