MMA Discussions

This is the 20th edition of 13 Q’s and it’s with CFFC fighter, Malachy Friedman.
He’s got a Cage Fury Fighting Championship fight coming up for a BELT!!!
Good Luck Malachy!
Here’s the interview!

1.) Thanks for your time Malachy! What’s new?

Well, its been a rush. One week i was in san fran working with fairtex and my buddy Jason
then flew up to portland kissed my girl goodbye and flew out to Vegas
ive been training with my boy Evan tanner and Joe
its been intense
and ive been training my ass off

ill be here till fight time

2.) What are your thoughts on the CFFC?

my honest thoughts are you could not find an organization that cares more aout the fighters than CFFC
Felix is the man, he treats every fighter like itsthere show and hes just happy to have us
ill always be apart of Cage Fury no matter where my journey takes me

3.) What has been your biggest accomplishment is life, fighting or at all?

my biggest accomplishment was making my mother proud of me and my goals and focus
to see her smile and hear the pride in her voice is something ill never forget

4.) What are your thoughts on the current state of MMA in the U.S. and its future.
well its in a whirlwind right now
fighters are making more money
and there are a bilion ways tomake money, its always a touchy subject bc you have the diehard fans and the occasional
and its hard to tell where it will head
hopefully in a good direction and put money in struggling fighters pockets

5.) Is there any loss that you’d you like to avenge?
no no losses
ive moved on and ive moved fast
i dont have time to look behind me becuase i have so much in front of me

6.) What are some of your pet peaves?
hmmmm training? hahaha no
i guess just immoral people and just not honest with life people
oh bullys and fake thugs piss me off too

7.) What are 3 bands/groups that are your favorites right now?
Numberonecontender.com
rick ross
bubba sparxxx

8.) Are there any fighters in the bigger shows that you’d like a match with? why?
ummm
you know given the oppurtunity
id fight anyone in the ufc to pride
you only live once and im training my ass off and learning everyday so given the chance to compete ill have a good shot at beating anyone

9.) What is is that got you into MMA and when?

you know people say ufc1 and all that
my first ufc ws liddell and belfort
i was hooked and i was into too much street fighting
thinking thats what made you the toughest
i saw this and it was like i have to become the greatest

10.) Is there anywhere in the world you’d like to see that you’ve never been to?
id like to go back to brasil
but
thailand japan those would be nice

11.) Will your fans/friends get to see you in any of the BIG shows in the NEAR future?
you know
you never know when a big company will knock on your door
and im around the right people to get my name mentioned in a couple closed door meetings
ill just keep doing my thing

12.) Besides fighting and training, what do you like to do for fun?

movies, swimming, music, hanging with buddys
im trying to find my own little project so ive been expierementing with writing and stuff

13.) Do you have any heroes/idols?
my mother and father and grandparents
they were strong strong people
i want to continue to make the family nam proud

in mma my big bbro Evan Tanner has always looked out for me
hes giving me more oppurtunities and chances to shine then icoulda done on my own

then i like jacare nick diaz fedor

Thanks again for your time Malachy! Feel free to use the extra space to say anything else you’d like to your fans and feel free to plug your sponsors.

to my fans and just fans alike
i work hard and try my hardest
pure heart and soul to entertain
so i hope every fight has you out of your seats

oh fo sure
i can always use more sponsors for this title fight oct 6th
Cagefuryfighting.com
numberonecontender.com
62gear.com
bloodbrotherusa.com

Here’s the interview, check out their gargantuan online store over at SSFGEAR.com

1.) When did ‘SSF Gear’ begin?

WeStarted selling gear to schools 5 years ago but we only went online and selling to the general public about 1.5 years ago.

2.) What fighters are you currently sponsoring? or, who can we see sporting ‘SSF Gear’ clothing?

We sponsor a ton of fighters. You can find a list and a bio on each one here; http://www.ssfgear.com/index.cfm?id=147628&fuseaction=browse&pageid=74

3.) What makes your company different from the other MMA fight gear companies?

We all train and we listen to the fighters that we sponsor and make what they and the customers ask for. If you read the reviews in the Gear section of Sherdog I think you will see that what sets us apart from other companies is the service. We make real gear, not just t-shirts and shorts.

4.) What made you decide that MMA was the way to go in merching clothing?

We love MMA, clothing is a small part of it.

5.) How would a fighter go about getting sponsored by your company?

Just email me your resume rdayley@scientificstreetfighting.net and let’s see what we can do.

6.) Will you ever be coming out with a ‘SSF Gear’ girl calender?

I don’t think so.

7.) Do you send people out from your company to go to MMA shows?

Yes, from time to time.

8.) Besides your website, is there anyway to buy ‘SSF’ gear?

We can be found in schools around the world and on other peoples web sites.

9.) Where do you see your company in 3 years? How Big?

We are fast becoming a brand name. We are opening a new gym in Clarksville TN and it will feature a SSF Pro shop. We havn’t spent a dime in advertising over the past 5 years and we have still grown like crazy just by word of mouth. We will just keep on making quality gear at good prices.

Our list of sponsored fighters is growing and looking like an ALL STAR cast. We have a
Contingency Program that pays out to winners of major shows that wear our gear ( you can read about it here http://www.ssfgear.com/index.cfm?id=147632&fuseaction=browse&pageid=155 ). I think you will find that we are a grass roots company that people will be talking about for a long time in the future.

10.) How big is word of mouth for your company?

Word of mouth is everything to us. Our reputation is what allows us to compete with the bigger companies and stay in business.

11.) With MMA growing like WEEDS in the states, do you see your company growing outside the U.S.?

We already have wholesale accounts over seas in Europe and Asia. We sale a ton of gear in Europe, Asia and AUS.

12.) As a company, what has been your biggest accomplishment?

I think that we being mentioned and compaired to companies like Fairtex, Windy and other Top brands says a lot for us.

13.) What are your thoughts on the current state of MMA in the U.S., and how BIG do you see it getting?

I think it’s just beginning to grow. I’ve been training in MMA since 92 and it’s just amazing how much it’s grown in just the past year. MMA will take over and boxing will be a sub ticket on MMA shows.

Thanks for your time! Feel free to use the extra space to add anything else you’d like. Plug Away!

Tim,

Thank you for your time.

Regards,
Ron
www.SSFgear.com

That’s right, this is the second installment of 13 Q’s with an MMA FAN.

It’s with Jesse from North Carolina

1.) Thanks for your time Jesse, What’s new?

Not much same ol same ol

2.) What is it that got you into MMA and when?

When I was a kid i always like karate movies and wrestlin untill i found out it was fake at like 10 then saw some old UFCs and loved it.

3.) Do you train MMA now?

Oh yea

4.) Have you ever had an MMA fight or do you ever want to?

Hope to have one soon.

5.) What are 3 bands/groups that’d be in your iPOD right now?

Disturbed, Audioslave, Tool

6.) Who are some of your favorite fighters and why?

Big Nog great submissionist, Vitor Belfort… old one anyway, Couture, Matt Hughes because hes so dominate.

7.) What is the best MMA fight you’ve ever seen?

I realy liked Big Nog vs Sapp.

8.) Besides the UFC, have you watched other MMA events, which ones?

Several pride fighting events when Im not workin on Sundays, I just watched the Finals of the OWGP tonight

9.) Have you ever been to a professional or amateur MMA event?

Not yet

10.) What are your thoughts on the current state of MMA in the U.S.?

Will be alot better when Pride makes it over here and American fans get more educated in MMA.

11.) Is there anywhere in the world you’d like to travel to but haven’t seen yet?

Brazil and Japan

12.) What other sports, if any, do you like? list your favorite teams if any.

None realy…

13.) If you could see ANY MMA match, who would the fighters be?

Was hoping to see Big Nog vs Silva tonight but didnt happen, would love to see Silva vs Liddell.
Thanks again for your time Jesse! Feel free to use the extra space to say anything else you’d like.
Thanks for the interview man.

Here we go!, Great Interview with a Great Fighter and a Great Guy!!!

Josh ‘Bring The Pain’ Haynes

1.) Thanks for your time, Josh. What’s New?

What up man? I have been training hard and waiting for my next opportunity. I have been working on a lot of skills developing some basics further and just trying to improve. It is a never ending process.

2.) How and when did you get the nickname ‘Bring The Pain’?

I started fighting about 5 years ago. I had no idea what I was doing. I did know how to take a punch and so that is what I did. I would go into a fight and soak up a ton of damage and wait for an opportunity or for the guy to just get tired. After a while a friend of mine, Will Hammond aka Big Medicine, noticed my lack of strategy and so started calling me Bring The Pain. He said I would just keep taking the pain and it didnt seem to stop me. It stuck. After a while everyone started using the nick name and before you know it more people know me as Bring The Pain or BTP than by my real name. There were some other factors I think but for the most part that covers it. I basically got the nickname because I had no idea what I was doing in the beginning.

3.) What are your thoughts on the current state of MMA in the U.S.?

I think things are going the right way. I think that the competition, as far as shows, is just getting better and I think that the top dogs are starting to feel the pressure. With the IFL, WFA and some of the shows that have been around forever gaining momentum I think it gives fighters an opportunity to choose. For a lot of guys this is a new thing. I think the current state of MMA is great man. It is good and just getting better.

4.) When can your fans expect to see you fight again?

I am hoping soon man. Ultimately it is up to the UFC and my coaches when I fight again so I just try to stay ready and keep improving. I am hoping that Ill be in action soon man. I dont like sitting around like this at all.

5.) Who do you train with? Where? How Often?

Right now Im training with Team Quest. My coaches include Robert Follis, Matt Lindland, Nate Quarry, Tom Samario, Mike Dolce and Chris Willson. Training partners include Robert Follis, Matt Lindland, Nate Quarry, Mike Dolce, Chris Willson, Ed Herman, Matt Horwich, Brian Stromburg, Devin Cole, Aaron Stark, John Kron, Ean Loveland, Ryan Shultz, Chael Sonnen, Greg Thompson and the list goes on and on. That is a lot of names but you would be amazed at how many tough, top level fighters are in the Portland, Or area and how many train at Quest. I am usually training about 6 days a week. I try to keep the training session to about 2 a day and keep it under 5 hours total. It gets tough when you include gym time and skill building on top of team training. I would over train if it were up to me but thats what my coaches are for.

6.) Are there any losses that you have, that someday you’d like to avenge?

I am usually ok with a loss after a while. I can accept that I typically did it to my self because of something I did or didnt do. But if I have my way when I hit 170 Shonie Carter and I are going to have a date. That is one loss that just doesnt sit well with me at all.

7.) What are your thoughts on the amount of rematches we’ve been seeing in BIG shows the past few years?

I am not much for rematches man. I think that if you fight some one will win and someone will lose. If you are going to rematch give it a little time. Fighting again right away can be interesting but by the third time people start to lose interest. Im not sure if it is an issue of not having enough fighters or what but I think that it would not hurt to back of a bit and let some new blood get a shot at some of the top dogs.

8.) What was your best fight to date?

I dont know man. I have had a couple good fights and Im usually pretty critical of myself so Im never really happy with a fight no matter what. The one fight I have found myself enjoying immensely was in Medford, Oregon at a show called the UCF. I fought Carlos Garcia in a heavy weight match there. It was a lot of fun. I beat him into a verbal submission. I threw a ton of punches and he ate most of them. That man can really take a punch; I think there are rocks in his head too! I think that was my favorite to date, not sure if it was my best but it was fun.

9.) Is there anywhere in the world you’d love to see but haven’t seen yet?

There are a lot of places I would love to go. Japan for one is a huge interest for me. I love the history of that country. Thai Land would be a lot of fun as well, I would love to find myself training there for some time. I would love to take my wife to Bermuda or Hawaii and I would like it even more if I could get my whole family to Disney World in the next few years. So yeah I guess there are a few places Id love to see.

10.) What is it that got you in to fighting? When?

I think it was my mouth man. I would watch early UFCs and say I could do that. One day I was 330lbs and out of shape and a friend told me about this show in Portland, Or, The FCFF. I tagged along and before you knew it I was fighting my first fight. I think that was in 2001. So five years later here I am fighting for the UFC, told ya I could do it.

11.) After your fighting career is over, what do you want to do?

After my career is over I would like to dedicate my time to coaching and developing new fighters and athletes. I would love to open a gym with the blessing of Team Quest and help people of all walks of life learn from MMA. This sport has to power to change lives. I know first hand what it can do. I would love to be a part of something like that.

12.) How has life been for you after TUF 3?

Life after TUF 3 has been good. The UFC and SPIKE TV put a lot of time into me and I am very grateful. The opportunities are limitless as a result of the publicity I was given through The Ultimate Fighter. I am recognized by a large fan base and I have the opportunity to progress in this sport such as I never expected. My training is better than it has ever been and my family is doing great, my boy is healthy and strong and we all have a roof over our heads. Yeah life has been good, busy but very good.

13.) What advice do you have for anyone who wants to get into MMA?

I would say this. Decide what you want and make it happen. If it is important to you chase it. Nothing in life is free or easy, if it was everyone would do it. If you want to be a fighter then make it happen. Only you can decide if you have the heart and the drive to succeed. There are always people willing to tell you that you cannot do something. Ill tell you they are wrong. I know I was told by many people I would never make it to where I am now and here I am! It doesnt matter what your dreams are, no matter how big, if you want it bad enough never, ever quit and they will be realized.

Later,

Josh Bring The Pain Haynes

That’s right! UFC fighter, Jon Fitch. 3-0 in UFC competition.

1.) Thanks for your time Jon! What’s new?

:Training for a fight in oct. I will be fighting a very solid Japanese fighter named Hironaka. It should be the swing bout on the PPV.

2.) What are your thoughts on UFC’s Welterweight Division?

:It is becoming the toughest division in the UFC. I think it could also become the most exciting and most watched weight class too. A lot of people are getting tired of watching the same old rematches at 205 and the heavy weight divison is pretty week right now. Seems like a lot of the best fighters at those weight clesses are over in Pride right now. Pride doesn’t have a 170lb weight class so the best guys are in the ufc. That makes for some bad ass match ups.

3.) What has been your biggest accomplishment is life, fighting or at all?

:The fact that I took a big risk by giving up a perfectly normal successfull life as a teacher and a coach to become a professional fighter. I packed everything up and moved from Indiana to Cali, I didn’t know anyone or know my way around. I am most pround that it has paid of, my hard work has put me right where I want to be.

4.) What are your thoughts on the current state of MMA in the U.S. and its future.

:I think it is great. It is crossing over and being accepted as a legit sport. I would like to see the american crowd become more educated about what is going on within the fight. I would also like to see organizations acknowledge each other and the fighters that fight in them. There is no reason the UFC fans should have looked at Anderson Silva like a nobody. Just because a guy doesn’t fight in a certain organization doesn’t mean his name shouldn’t be brought up when talking about the best guys in a weight class.

5.) Is there any loss that you’d you like to avenge?

:Im not big on that. I honestly don’t even really pay attention to who the guys are that I fight. They are just bodies, I am fighting with myself when I fight. I am more worried about what and how I am doing than who my opponent is. I really don’t remember a lot of the peoples names that I’ve fought.

6.) What are some of your pet peaves?

:Stupid people, lazy people. Its ok to be stupid some times or to be lazy sometimes, but some people are just stupid and lazy all the time.

7.) What are 3 bands/groups that are your favorites right now?

:Sublime, Johny Cash, Tool

8.) Outside of the UFC, are there any fighters that you’d like a match with?

:Like I said I don’t really care who I fight. I fight me everytime I fight.

9.) What is is that got you into MMA and when?

:The training and competition. My old coach Tom Erikson used to bring people in to train and it sparked an interest in me.

10.) Is there anywhere in the world you’d like to see that you’ve never been to?

:Lots of places, Ireland, Africa, Russia, Brazil, Thiland to many to name them all.

11.) In your eyes, which one of your fights was your best showcase?

:I had a fight with Kengo Ura that no one has seen really. I got to stand a little and show some wrestling and ground. My fight with burkman was a very good showing too. I haven’t gotten to see any of my UFC fights so I’m not 100% sure of how they went.

12.) Besides fighting and training, what do you like to do for fun?

:Rest. All I really do is train, so when I’m not I like to lay around and rest.

13.) Do you have any heroes/idols?

:My grandfathers, my father and my brother

Thanks again for your time Jon! Feel free to use the extra space to say anything else you’d like to your fans and feel free to plug your sponsors.

:Please check out my website at fitchfighter.com If you want to see my UFC fights send and e-mail to the UFC and to Spike tv telling them what you want.