Let us talk about MMA and Starcraft. So MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is a full contact sport composed of grappling and striking the opponent until someone comes out on top. Starcraft is a Real Time Strategy Game made by Blizzard Entertainment. In layman's terms you can describe it as a game of Poker and Chess. In both of these activities you need to outmaneuver your opponent to win. Fairly straight forward.

Wait, you're confused? No we aren't talking about MMA the Korean! The reason we are talking about Mixed Martial Arts is because I got to ask UFC fighter Nik Lentz about his nerdy side. Believe it or not Nik is a massive Starcraft player and a Masters Protoss. So if you're interested in this unusual mix of hobbies then read on, if you're not, then you can answer to Nik yourself.

Hey Nik, you’re a self confessed nerd baller, when did you first realise this?

Nik: I released it when I was around 6. Growing up poor, its not easy for your inner nerd. Most nerd things are kind of expensive, but one of my Moms friends at the time had a Nintendo. I asked her what it was and after that I played games at her house as much as possible. It was not long after that I had beat Zelda, The Mario’s, metroid, Dragon Warrior.....pretty much any game I could get Amy (my Moms friend) to buy. Thats when I first realized that I would forever be enamored with video games.

You are obviously a massive Starcraft 2 fan, how did the SC2 bug swarm you?

Nik: I played console games for most my life, mostly because I could not afford to buy my own systems, so I would befriend people who had them. It was not until the middle of high school when I moved to live with my father that we could afford a PC. It was at this time that I got into UT99. I always hated RTS games, mostly because I was bad at them and didn't understand them, but I decided to try out SC2. This was because most modern games are trash. Most PC games are dumbed down, appeal to the masses, horrible ports......I needed a new game to play and SC2 was the only real game that had come along that was not port, or dumbed down (Easy SC1 guys :p), and would be updated on a normal basis. The rest is history. I fell in love with the depth of SC instantly. I now play daily.

Nik's Favourites :

Favourite game of all time : Quake 3, Starcraft 1 and 2, Xenogears

Favourite Anime : One Piece.

Favourite book/comic : 1984, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Speaker for the Dead

Favorite Starcraft playing snack : I'm usually on a diet while playing lots of starcraft, but Coke and Organic Cheddar Cheese Popcorn if not

Favourite Starcraft unit : High Templar.

Who do you think are the most exciting starcraft players to watch?

Nik: DRG/NesTea, MVP, Puzzle/Hero (Genius if its not Void all in)

If you could spar with one starcraft 2 pro who would it be and why?

Nik: No one, The skill is on such a different level it would not be fun. I would never want to hurt a fellow nerd....Unless I got paid!

You’ve got a free bet, who is going to win the current GSL?

Nik: NesTea

Who do you think are the players we have to look out for this year?

Nik: Oz, Creator, NesTea, Mvp, Hero, DRG, Select, MC

Have you considered setting up a starcraft 2 stream?

Nik: I have, but I like being able to play starcraft without anyone knowing who I am or talking about fighting. Believe it or not, I don't really like to talk about training, fighting, MMA, the UFC, or Diets when I'm at home.

And finally any words of wisdom for our other nerdballers out there?

Nik: Being a nerd is an awesome thing! Watch more Starcraft, One piece is the best anime ever, Star Trek is better than Star Wars, Nik Lentz is going to have a great 2012 better jump on the bandwagon now.

Please feel free to follow me and Nik and Twitter here : @NikLentz and @SteveFarrant