Warren Considers Himself More Fighter Than Wrestler Now

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Joe Warren has big plans.

The 2006 Greco-Roman wrestling world champion wants to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics. In the meantime, though, he wants to defend his 145-pound Bellator title while also picking up the promotion’s 135-pound gold. To accomplish these goals, he’s been training in both wrestling and fighting.

“It’s been extremely hard,” Warren said recently during a “Savage Dog Show” interview on the Sherdog Radio Network. “It’s a tough sport, but I’m feeling good again. Conditioning is back. I’m feeling strong. I’ve been working a lot with my hands and on the ground. I’m feeling like probably a lot better fighter now than the last time you guys saw me.”

Warren last fought in September, when he rallied to knock out Joe Soto and take the Bellator featherweight belt. He competes again Saturday against Marcos Galvao in a 137-pound catchweight non-title bout.

“I think if everything works the way I’ve planned, I’ll be fighting here this weekend and then wrestling in June and then defending my [145-pound] belt in August and then fight the [135-pound] tournament on October 1 and try to get that belt also and maybe win the U.S. Open [wrestling tournament] in December and then maybe take a little time off from fighting if I’m where I need to be for the Olympic Trials,” Warren said. “Then take some time off from fighting next year and get a gold medal with those two belts.”

Warren added that he has two babies at home to care for as well.

“You’re young once,” he explained. “I’m not going to be able to make another run at the Olympics in four years.”

While his window for wrestling appears to be closing soon, Warren has a different view on MMA. He’s been in the sport for just two years or so. The skills he’s picked up in recent months have suggested to him that a long career could be ahead.

“I can see how I’m going to probably finish fights quicker, and my career is probably going to get longer with this technique that I’m learning,” Warren said. “Hopefully I’m not going to [keep] using the technique of just getting punched until I decide to knock the guy out. Hopefully some of the work I’ve done these last few months will keep my head moving.”

Warren has been improving his boxing in particular, but he’s also moved a Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach into his home. That doesn’t exactly sound like a move an Olympic wrestling hopeful would make, but Warren is more than a wrestler now.

“It’s hard and weird for me to say this, but I feel like I’m more of a fighter now than a wrestler,” Warren said. “Which is kind of exciting because last year I couldn’t say that.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:26:38).