MICHAEL PAGANI
Michael ‘Sniper’ Pagani is a 26-year-old MMA fighter from Brescia, Italy.
Origins.
“At first, I took it on almost as a dare. I didn’t fully understand why I was so attracted to it but I was. Once I threw myself in, completely, I realized it was changing me. I used to be impulsive, someone who just did whatever came to mind. MMA forced me to slow down, to take responsibility, to think. It wasn’t just a sport. it became a process. A tough, slow transformation. And now I can honestly say it’s changed me, as a person.”
Structured Chaos.
“That moment right before the octagon’s doors shuts it’s weird. There’s anxiety, fear, anticipation. You know you’re about to lock yourself in with someone who wants to do exactly what you want to do. But once the door closes, everything else disappears. It’s just you. And there’s this kind of mental reset you move on instinct, but with a clarity you don’t experience anywhere else. It’s structured chaos. A moment of silence inside the noise. That’s what keeps me coming back.”
More Than Throwing Punches.
“It’s huge. Once the match is confirmed, you start studying your opponent. You watch hours of footage, figure out what they’re good at, where they make mistakes, where your openings are. Then in camp, you work on specific scenarios if they take you down, how do you get up? If they pressure you, how do you deal with it? Even outside of camp, the studying never stops. You’re always training, always analyzing. It’s not just about throwing punches it’s strategy, precision. It’s about seeing things before they happen.”
Sacrifices.
“In Italy, it’s different the sport isn’t yet popular enough to have morning and afternoon training sessions available for professionals. That means we have to make more sacrifices in terms of time, travel to find sparring partners, and often go long distances. In other places even just elsewhere in Europe gyms and environments are set up for pros. In Sweden, for example, where I did my last camp, they had all-day sessions for professionals. Here in Italy, most of us train in the evening with regular classes, and in the morning you have to figure it out on your own. So yeah, it takes more sacrifice, more juggling. But things are starting to move. I want to help this sport grow here in Italy. I’m fully embracing that mission just like many other fighters who are part of the new wave of Italian MMA. It’s one of the main things that drives me to make sacrifices every single day.”
Anarchy and Rebellion.
“The truest form of anarchy and rebellion happens inside the cage. In there, you’re doing something that’s completely outside the bounds of everyday life. It breaks social rules but within it, there’s a deep order. It’s discipline disguised as chaos. And style-wise, I like to express myself too. I like to build my own identity. Acupuncture has a strong soul it comes from a raw, underground culture. And for me, that fits perfectly with my world. So, it’s a perfect match.”
