Ground and Pound - Fightnews

MMA in Sweden is growing fast right now. A few fighters from Sweden got the chance to prove themselves at the first UFC event in their home country. Other good fighters like Tor Troeng (15-4) are still waiting for their chance in the big leagues. GroundandPound talked with Tor Troeng about his training and goals as well as about the MMA sport and the life in Sweden.

GroundandPound: Hello Tor, how’s your hammer?
Tor Troeng: Thanks, very good (laughs).

For those people who don’t know you, please tell us something about you.
Im a mixed martial artist fighting out of Umea, Sweden. Have been fighting professionally since 2006 and have dedicated my life to this the latest years. I also work part time as a research assistant in mathematics at the Umea University.

What is it like to be a MMA fighter in Sweden?
MMA is a fast growing sport in Sweden, but still it's very hard to make a living of the sport. We have a lot of good fighters that are up and coming and I believe that in a few years Sweden will have a lot of guys in the big organizations.

Where do you prepare for your fights and who are your training partners?
I mostly prepare myself in my hometown, where we have some of Swedens best fighters among them Jonas Hellqvist, Andreas Stahl, David Häggström and Thomas Bäck. I also train alot in Stockholm with fighters like Alexander Gustafsson. Kristian Lexell, Papy Abedi, Nico Musoke and Jonathan Westin.

What are the best gyms in Sweden?
I would say that the best gyms in Sweden right now is Renyi Fight Camp and Stockholm Shoot. We work a lot together and combined we have a very broad knowhow, great coaches as Andreas Michael, Kristofer Cronwald and Peter Holmqvist as mention before we also have many of the best fighters.

If I where visiting your home country, what is a must-see?
Stockholm's archipelago is really beautiful but I think also you should give your self some time to visit the northern parts of Sweden, especially in the summer. Experience the mid night sun and the stunning nature.