(Zaromskis head kicks Mach Sakurai. Props to MMANYTT.)
Hardcore fans have been buzzing about Marius Zaromskis since he head-kicked his way through the field to take the inaugural DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix belt. But Strikeforce Miami represents a real breakout opportunity for the Lithuanian fighter; a main event championship fight for Strikeforce’s vacant welterweight title against Nick Diaz on Showtime.
“For me the occasion doesn’t matter. Every fight is the same and every one of them is tough. I fight one fight at a time,” he says. “[The fight] might be quicker or longer but I try and stay focused. Every fighter has strong points and you’re always one punch away from losing.”
The welterweight fighter, known as “The Whitemare” is set to make a combined Strikeforce debut and title fight against Nick Diaz (20-7) at Strikeforce: Miami on January 30.
Though he lives in England and fights out of London Shootfighters Gym (LSF), “The Whitemare” (13-3) began his career in his native Lithuania in 1999. He fought several times for the UK promotion Cage Rage, defeating Ross Pointon and dropping two fights to Che Mills, before joining DREAM in 2009.
He went 4-0 last year, defetating his last three opponents via head-kick. He felled the last of the three, Myeon Ho Bae, in only 19 seconds, earning him the DREAM welterweight crown on October 25, 2009. “For me, my high kicking ability comes very natural to me as a result of taking part in Karate and Kickboxing and I try and use them in a fight if I see an opportunity. With MMA, I can put them together and the head-kicks come automatically,” Zaromskis says.
Zaromskis’ performances caught the attention of Strikeforce, a promotion in need of proven talent to fill out it’s thin roster. The company signed the Lithuanian as part of it’s co-promotional partnership with DREAM and matched him with UFC veteran Diaz to scrap over the vacant welterweight title.
“Training has been going very well for my fight,” says Zaromskis. “I’ve been stepping up my training levels as it’s a 5 round fight. I hope to keep it as a stand up fight as (Diaz) is known for his BJJ background.” But the fighter and his trainers know that what you want to happen and what actually happens are often two very different things.
Zaromskis goes into this Strikeforce title fight boasting an impressive run of winning nine of his last 10 fights and is hoping that his outspoken opponent, Nick Diaz, joins the growing list of fighters on the end of his foot. “I’ve made sure to incorporate wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu into my training. But I feel that my kicking ability is better and stronger,” he says.
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