Jacob OConnell

JACOB: I started doing BJJ down at Maroubra surf club and loved it, I did that for a couple of years and then me and a few other guys asked about starting MMA after we saw it on a DVD and just went mental from there.

XF: What do you like to do in your free time?

JACOB: I go on surfing holidays a few times a year with some of the boys, and I have been known to party a little bit when i'm not training for a fight!

XF: What has been your toughest fight?

JACOB: Probably the first fight because of the nerves and everything but none of the 3 so far have really tested me as much as I get tested at training.

XF: What is your weekly training regime when preparing for a fight?

JACOB: Before a fight I do MMA/BJJ twice a week, Mauy Thai twice a week , wrestling once and strength and conditioning 2 or 3 times.

XF: Who helps you prepare for a fight?

JACOB: I have Bruno Panno, Alex Prates and Bernado Trecko as a BBJ and MMA coachs who are also training partners, Matty and Owen Gardener from Kick Tactics as my Mauy Thai coaches, then some ruffnuts like Jesse Chin and Richy Vascilik that come to every session with me to hammer me and spar with me to keep me motivated, then my strenght and conditioning coach Jason Gulati from Real Training.

XF: Would you consider fighting in a different weight category?

JACOB: I fought my first two fights at 77kgs, so I went up a class to fight Dylan Andrews in my last fight but I'm considering going back down to 77kgs for the next fight.

XF: Favourite submission?