Nate "The Missile" Schut has taken things slowly this year. Since fighting at Target Center in April, Schut has been in the cage for less than one minute.

The Missile has had only one fight, a 59-second victory over Bruce Johnson in July.

Schut (16-4) certainly isn't complaining about his fighting schedule. The slower pace has allowed the Plymouth resident to focus on training and improvement.

He will put his extra training to use on Sept. 11, when Schut returns to the cage against an opponent to be determined during CFX's "Battle in Buffalo 2" in Buffalo, Minn., at the Buffalo Civic Center.

Schut, who is originally from Monticello and wrestled collegiately at Ridgewater Community College and St. Cloud State, fought in Buffalo last time CFX came to town. And this time, he's not only fighting, but helping with promotion and matchmaking.

Wearing more than one hat for the upcoming show has made Schut's schedule hectic, but Minnesota MMA News was able to track him down for a quick interview.

Nate, do you know who you're fighting on Sept. 11 yet?

SCHUT: No, I don't. It was supposed to be Ryan Stock from Team Crazy, but apparently that's not happening now. I'm not sure who it's going to be at this point. I'm sure Gavin will find someone in the next few days.

Does it really matter?

SCHUT: Not really. I'm going to beat him up anyway.

Fighting locally, is this just part of the game now?

SCHUT: Yeah, I'm getting used to it. It seems like it's almost unheard of to get an opponent and have it be the same one the whole time. It's not a big deal any more. It's what happens with smaller shows.

This will be just your second fight since the Target Center. Was that the plan or are there other factors in play? And do you enjoy having that much time off between fights?

SCHUT: Yeah, that's definitely been the plan. I did pull my hamstring pretty good during that fight (at Target Center), so I took a little time off after that. I took maybe two weeks off, then I started training right away for the last Buffalo fight. It's been really nice, actually. I like having that six to eight weeks to prepare for the fight.

Where are you training now?

SCHUT: I'm at Revolution four days a week and then I'm at Annandale (at Brock Larson's Blitz Jiu-Jitsu and MMA). I also do my conditioning up in Kimball. It's a pretty busy schedule. But all I'm doing is training right now. The travel is kind of nice. It gives me little breaks. Plus, I live in Plymouth and I'm not much of a city person, so it's nice to get away from the Cities. I don't mind traveling at all. It's part of what you have to do to train with a lot of good people.

I know you hate cutting weight and you've had trouble with the cut down to 145. Is 145 your home or do you think you'll be at 155?

SCHUT: 145 is going to be my home. For some of the local fights I might do 155, but when I get bigger fights, I'll be at 145. Gavin (Rydell) asked me that same thing the other day. It doesn't make much sense to cut that much weight for a local fight, especially when you're not getting paid as much. But in the bigger shows and for bigger fights, there will be bigger money and I will most definitely be at 145.

Has that cut gotten any easier?

SCHUT: Yeah, actually it is. Making 155 isn't tough any more at all. It was the first couple of times. After that, I started the cut earlier. Right now I walk at about 165 or 170. Starting earlier makes the cut to 145 a lot easier. I'm not going to lie; it's not fun, but it's getting better. It does help that I'm training as much as I am because the weight is staying off.

What's next after this fight? Anything big on the horizon?

SCHUT: After this fight, I'm fighting on the pay-per-view card for King of the Cage in Morton. I'm on the main card of that one, so that's what I'll be focusing on after Buffalo. Gavin has been talking to me about the 145-pound tournament for Bellator. But that's not for sure at all. It would definitely be a fun tournament to be in, though. You can make good money, and it's a much bigger stage.

Most people know Nate Schut as a wrestler, but how's your striking coming along?

SCHUT: It's coming along. It's coming along slowly, but boxing is very difficult to learn. It's very technical. You have to take your time and break it down. You just want to get to where you feel you're comfortable. But really, I just use my boxing to set up my takedowns. I feel very good on the ground, so that's where I like the fight to be. I just got my blue belt from Damian (Hirtz) at Revolution, so I'm working my way up there. But overall, yeah, I'd say my striking is coming along slowly but surely.

Did that fight against Bobby Ferrier at Target Center teach you anything?

SCHUT: Yeah, you know it was probably the biggest crowd I've ever fought in. But it wasn't a big deal because I've wrestled on way bigger stages than that. But fighting is a whole different ball game. It was nice to get to fight in front of that many people in my home state. That show, the way it was put together, was more like the bigger shows. You have interviews and all that stuff. It helped me get used to that side of things. And I think it will help in the long run with keeping nerves under control. It was nice having that learning experience.

Ferrier is a decent wrestler. Who's the best wrestler you've ever faced in the cage? Anybody ever push you wrestling wise?

SCHUT: Oh boy, I don't know. I guess (Ferrier). I don't even know really. I've been told a bunch of times when I fight that the guy is a decent wrestler, but every time I've been able to go in and get my takedown pretty easy. But I guess I'd have to say Ferrier. He was a strong guy. He outweighed me by a bit, and he was a last-minute replacement. But I'm thankful that he stepped up and took that fight. He fought back, too. It was a fun fight.

Do you get nervous before fights?

SCHUT: No, not really, and I think that's because of my wrestling experience. Every fighter would be lying if they said they didn't have a little butterflies before the fight. But I have 20 fights under my belt now, so I don't really get too nervous about it. I know I'm going to go in there, and I'm probably going to get hit. You never know what's going to happen.

Do you know who you're fighting at the King of the Cage card yet? And do you feel like you need to step up your competition to get to the next level?

SCHUT: I don't know yet, and I really haven't heard anything about an opponent. And yes, I really need to fight somebody tough. I want to move on; I'm tired of fighting locally. It's fun to fight in front of my fans, but I want a lot more. I want this to be my career. But yes, I definitely think I need to fight tougher guys. I think that's what everyone has to do to get to the next level, unless you get a freak chance. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get to the next level. This is my life, it's what I want to do. So I'll do anything.

You train a lot with Brock Larson. How cool is that?

SCHUT: It's amazing. First of all, he's the nicest guy in the world. He'll help anybody out. Getting to roll with him on a daily basis helps so much. And he's taken a lot of extra time with me, and I'm so thankful for that. He takes time to work with me and make me better. I actually instruct for him up in Annandale when he can't be there. Brock has been a godsend for me and my fighting.

That Buffalo show is coming up next weekend. Who's sharing that card with you?

SCHUT: There are four pro fights. I think the other main guys are Jeff Lange, Brandon Girtz and then Matt Jeska is fighting Jordan Shepperd. That should be a fantastic fight. Beau Penk is fighting amateur on that card, and Jimmy McDonald also is fighting. I've been helping with the promotion and a little bit with the matchmaking.

What do you think of the promotion and matchmaking side of things?

SCHUT: It's not all that great. Getting all the tickets and helping with everything, plus helping with the (matchmaking), it gets to be a little old. It's a lot of (busy work). I'm not a big fan. But when it comes time to fight, I won't have to worry about it any more. I'm glad we're doing another one out in Buffalo. The first show went really well, and hopefully this one is even better.

Is there anybody you'd like to thank?

SCHUT: Yes, I'd like to thank all of my training partners. I need to thank Brock, of course. All the guys at Revolution, everyone at Annandale, my wife, my daughter and my entire family. I'd like to thank Gavin, too. He does a great job with me as my manager.