Ottow details ‘tension’ with Roufusport, post-fight scuffles

Bloodyelbow.com

Zak Ottow’s Pura Vida BJJ gym and Roufusport have developed quite the rivalry. Although things get out of hand from time-to-time, Ottow believes it brings the best out of both squads.

Ottow (17-6) elaborated on the beef between the two Milwaukee gyms on Saturday’s episode of the Pull No Punches podcast. “Oh god,” the fighter exclaimed when the subject was broached.

“Sometimes things get heated. In general, we get along, but over the years things have gotten heated at events,” he explained. “Whether it is people in the audience that aren’t getting along with each other at local shows or people fighting each other and the fight continues even after the final bell. That kind of stuff.”

Nevertheless, Ottow maintains a respectful relationship with the Roufusport team. “It’s created more tension between us,” he said. “But I can go up to the fighters on their team and say, ‘what’s up?’”

When asked what role he and Duke Roufus play in the feud, the welterweight said it was their responsibilities to keep things professional. “You want there to be sportsmanship. You don’t want people outside of the scene to think fighters are unprofessional or a bunch of thugs,” insisted Ottow. “We don’t want to cause too much stir over social media and look unprofessional.”

“At the same time, it’s kind of a good thing. Rivalries are fun. I think it brings the best out of the fighters,” he continues. “The fights between us and them are always f—king epic. There is so much energy in the crowd. It brings up the bar for us.”

Ottow credits a lot of Pura Vida’s success to Roufusport. “When we started out, if we didn’t have Roufusport in Milwaukee, we probably. wouldn’t be where we are. There was such a high bar set in the area, if we wanted to compete with these guys then we better be pretty damn good ourselves.”

He hopes his gym — which boasts UFC fighters Montel Jackson and Leah Letson, plus DWTNCS alum Alton Cunninham — has done the same for Roufusport. “As we start rising up, it makes [Roufusport] be better. I think it’s good for both parties.”

Ottow has alternated wins and losses since debuting in the UFC. He meets Alex Morono at UFC Wichita on March 9. The event is headlined by heavyweight knockout artists Derrick Lewis and Junior Dos Santos.