Get your tickets now before it is to late! Sydney is about to host UFC Fight Night 55 on 8th November at Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.

While everyone has seen the UFC on TV there is nothing better than witnessing all the action live. Your heart starts pounding and the adrenalin kicks into gear the moment you walk into arena.

The music is louder than any rock concert you have ever seen and the beat fills your body while the lights start to dim and the spot lights flicker and flash every colour of the spectrum. You are about to witness the two combatants enter the octagon. The crowd rises to its feet and cheer for their favourite fighter with such enthusiasm and energy that you expect the roof to take off like a rocket.

One such fight on the night is the flyweight clash between Sydney’s own Richie ‘Vas’ Vaculik and Irishman Neil ‘2Tap’ Seery. Both fighters are coming off a last start victory in the UFC with both fights going the distance. This has ‘great fight’ written all over it.

We caught up with Richie during the week to talk about the upcoming fight as well as life outside of the cage where he is known as a big wave rider. It is also great to see a fighter giving something back to the community with the ‘back on track’ program he is involved with that talks to young local kids and keeping them on that right path in life.

You injured your elbow against Roldan Sangcha-an back in June and had to miss a fight opportunity at UFC Macau in August. How are things now?

Yes mate it is all good. It was a little bit of ligament damage. It was a bit of a surprise as I did not realise it was anything serious until a few weeks later when it kept lingering. It is part and parcel of the game and it is all good now and I am looking forward to November.

Beating Roldan and inflicting his first loss must have given you great confidence going forward?

Coming up against an undefeated fighter is always a bit of a challenge as they come in with a lot of confidence having never tasted defeat before. They don’t expect it so it is always a bit of a challenge. To get that win over him was very rewarding and to get my first UFC win was awesome.

How has your training changed in the lead up to your fight against Neil Seery? Are there any particular areas you are focussing on?

In general no matter who my opponent is I cover all my bases in all the components of mixed martial arts. The fight is here in my home town so I don’t need to travel or organise training else where. I get to stick with the gyms I always train at which is TP at Caringbah for MMA, Jui-Jitsu and wrestling, Kick Tactics at Newton and strength and conditioning at Real Training in Alexandria. It has been a very good fight camp where I have had my comforts and been able to stay in my own bed. It has been a really good preparation.

You have a record of 10-2 (6 by submission) up against Seery who is 14-10 with his last two fights going the distance. What are your tactics for this fight? Can we expect an early takedown?

If it is there and presents itself I will defiantly take it. You can come in with a game plan always but you’ve also got to make do with what is in front of you. I am always looking for the finish and Neil Seery is a tough experienced fighter and he has some great boxing. I like to think of myself as a jack of all trades and master of none. I like to mix it up and keep my opponent guessing. I think I am decent in all forms of martial arts. I don’t want to be predictable in front of him and be one dimensional. I want to dictate the pace and keep him guessing and get that stoppage weather it be submission or knock out as I don’t like going to the judges.

Fourteen of Seery’s fights have been in his country while a further eight were in Great Britain. It must give you a lot of belief and confidence knowing he has to fight you in your own backyard and out of his comfort zone?

I haven’t really given it that much thought but I guess coming from Ireland there is a bit of travel involved. I didn’t know that was his history that he hasn’t travelled and done it before. You can read into it what you will but I am not going to take too much out of it. I am sure he is going to come here and be very well prepared. I don’t think it will favour me to much all thought the home crowd I am sure is going to be a massive lift and a great buzz. I am stoked to be preparing here in Sydney and have my home comforts like my chiro and physio and I know where everything is. It’s the little things like getting down to the beach after a training session and lying in the ocean and having a bit of therapy.

Seery is a serious fighter who comes with a great deal of experience. Is this your moment to stamp your authority in the UFC and show the World what you have to offer?

Yes absolutely. With every UFC fight that is the case. As you said Roldan came in undefeated and I was going in there looking to finish him and I almost did at the end of the first round but he survived my submission attempts and it went to decision. And like I said I am looking to get the stoppage in this fight. To simply get the win over Neil will be a great statement but to stop him would be even more impressive so that is the plan.

Away from the octagon you spend time talking to children at schools and the PCYC, putting them on the right path in life. How rewarding is it to know you are making a difference?

It is awesome. I was actually at a PCYC this morning as part of the ‘back on track’ program which we have been working with for the last 2 years. It is something I really enjoy and I had it as a kid growing up and I have been very grateful. It was only yesterday I was 16 and running around with all the energy and not knowing what to do with it. I also found myself in a bit of trouble. Just to provide the kids with an outlet and a positive influence is great and to see the results we are getting is excellent. The parents and PCYC officers are really happy with the effect it is having on the kids. It is teaching them some good life choices and to not only learn some skills but to also eat well and have good hygiene and how to act in an environment. It has been really good to see kids who are normally in front of a judge now have either an apprenticeship or are looking to enrol in the army or taking up amateur boxing or kickboxing. It has been very rewarding.

As a big wave surfer you have faced some of the most dangerous breaks around. Is surfing something you now do in your down time or can we expect to see you out there competing again?

My passion for chasing big waves is as strong as ever. It’s actually taking a bit of discipline at the moment to prioritise and not pack the board bag when I see a big swell light up on the forecast and chase some waves when I have a fight coming up. I love the ocean and can not see myself living away from the coast. Getting into the water after a hard session in the gym is great as they complement each other so well. I am definitely looking to chase big waves in between fights and post fight career it is something I am still going to pursue. I don’t think that buzz is going to die anytime soon.

South Sydney just won the grand final which was a fantastic result for your great mate John Sutton. How good is it going to be having him there in your corner to share the experience? Can we expect a big Maroubra entourage?

All the boys are coming out. I spoke to Sutto post grand final and we caught up and it is such a great inspiration to see how hard they train and what they have achieved. A bunch of the Souths boys and Sutto always come out to see me when I fight in Sydney and a lot of my mates from around Maroubra will all come out and support me. I have used the Souths win as a motivational tool for this fight.

Who is your favourite fighter?

I have a lot and I love the sport as I am a big fan. I would have to say BJ Penn is one that I love watching. Inside or outside the cage he is a humble guy and great ambassador for the sport. The way he goes in, he bounces around the weight categories and he is never in a boring fight. Just the history of him in the sport and what he has achieved and where he is now; he is an idol of mine.

What are your long term goals?

I want to get this win over Seery and get a bit of a win streak going in the UFC and obviously extend my contract. The future is to have a long successful career in the UFC and find myself in a position where I can contend for that title. I would also love to stay active in the sport down the track weather that is working with the kids or something else.

Thank you for your time Richie. Good luck against Neil Seery and ‘Go Hard’! This will be one fight not to be missed on the 8th November.