Danny van Bergen is eager to defend Benelux's home turf on Aug. 16 by sending USA East home with a loss.
On Aug. 16, the M-1 Challenge will return to Amsterdam (Hilversum — CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS), Holland at Studio 22 for a two-day mega-taping with 30 fights recorded for future broadcasts on HDNet and other broadcast partners across the globe.
The headlining challenge series from Aug. 15-16 will be during the Sunday session, when hometown Team Benelux takes on Group C rival Team USA East.
One of Benelux’s key members is the underrated Danny van Bergen, who happens to be one of the best submission specialists in a country known for its world class kickboxers.
At the time of our exclusive interview with van Bergen, he was unaware he’d be fighting David Zitnik of USA East. However, the experienced veteran didn’t seem to mind who he’d be fighting.
M-1Global.com: What gym do you currently spend most of your time training out of in Holland?
Danny van Bergen: I do all my training at Mike’s Gym and sometimes I train with Remco Pardoel (at the M-1 training center).
M-1Global.com: What was the original martial arts discipline you began to study and at what age?
Danny van Bergen: When I was 15 I started training kickboxing at Mike’s Gym. After one year I started to train MMA. because I felt there was more to gain than kickboxing for me. I myself thought so and my environment encouraged me to go for it. Furthermore, I like the sport in general due to its complexity and the ways you can finish the fight.
M-1Global.com: Renato Migliaccio is out for USA East due to a shoulder injury and a replacement has yet to be named [editor's note: David Zitnik has since been added to USA East]. Are you at a psychological disadvantage because there is less than a month to go and you do not know your opponent?
Danny van Bergen: I never worry about my opponent. If you think of that to much it will only make you nervous. Of course I study my opponent by watching his videos so you know what kind of fighter he is. It doesn’t affect me at all who is in front of me because I came to fight.
M-1Global.com: After making the finals last year, Benelux will not be able to qualify for this year’s post-season. What do you think needs to happen for Benelux to come back on top next season?
Danny van Bergen: I think we have to train hard for it and show everybody that next year we will be back in the top. I know we can do it and we are going to show it.
M-1Global.com: Holland is known for its history of producing world class kickboxers. However, four of your six official wins have come via submission. Where did you develop such good jiu-jitsu skills?
Danny van Bergen: I’ve been working on my groundgame when I was 16 and started to know more and more. There are some things on the ground that I developed and I can use quickly in a fight and that’s the reason I won those matches.
M-1Global.com: This is your first year in the M-1 Challenge. What are your thoughts thus far about the team concept and how were you discovered?
Danny van Bergen: I like the concept very much and a country versus country is always appealing because it’s great to represent your country so I proud to do so. Another great thing it’s the exposure we get on a international level and maybe fight at the bigger shows.
M-1Global.com: The “weekend of fighting” will be in Holland. Since it is your home turf, are you expecting a lot of friends to attend?
Danny van Bergen: Some of my relatives and close friends always come to my fights and I hope a lot of Dutch fans will come to support us. When they it gives you more energy and it feels much better to defeated USA on our home ground.
M-1Global.com: Additional people will be watching live via Internet PPV on M-1Global.com and Mixfight.ru. What can they expect in your fight?
Danny van Bergen: I come to fight and I make sure it will be a hard battle and will do my best to give the people at home a fight that they will remember and will be talked about.
