Interviewed by Michelle of MMA Discussions
http://www.shomanart.com
1) Hey how are ya what you workin on now?
BJ Penn. I get tons of emails a week but can’t find any good pictures to work from. I’m just hoping he doesn’t come out looking like Danny Abbadi.
2) What got you into MMA?
Watching Ken Shamrock at UFC 1 back in ‘94 when I rented the video tape.
3) Who do you sponsor or who sponsors you?
Neither, really. There are guys who I do stuff for that do stuff for me out of mutual respect. Yok’d clothing, Warrior Wear, Nate Quarry, Paul Buentello, Rich Franklin, Mayhem Miller, MMAFanatics.com, RyanLoco.com, Mike Swick, Josh Haynes, Ed Herman, GOZE, Carl Sharkey “The Dye Sub”, Jeff “Sherdog” Sherwood, Josh Hedges, Rampage Jackson, and Kendall Grove to name a few. Everyone has been really good to me that I mentioned and I do whatever I can for them as well.
4) Tell us more about you as a person?
I’ve been married for 6 years and we have a 4 year old son. He is the greatest thing to ever happen to me. I love watching movies and tv and I haven’t drank alcohol for 15 years. So, basically I am a boring homebody that plays video games, watches movies and draws. I’m a 33 year old man living like a 15 year old kid.
5) What got you into MMA and when?
Watching Ken Shamrock at UFC 1 back in ‘94 when I rented the video tape. Whoa… I’ve seen this before.
6) Who is your fav MMA fighter?
Anyone but Paul Buentello.
7) What in your view was the best fight of the year thus far?
The best was watching BJ dominate Matt Hughes until he got hurt. This was the one time where everyone in my house was up and off the couch screaming.
What fight would you have loved to be at live but couldnt and why?
Mayhem vs Lawler. Jason is my friend and I really would have loved to have seen him fight live for the title. I couldn’t even get it on tv. So I was texting back and forth with his girlfriend who was giving me frequent updates. I couldn’t go out to Hawaii because I have a lot to do here (in San Diego).
9) What are your opinions of the blow up of the MMA today in the US?
I love the explosion! HOWEVER there are 2 things that can diffuse this explosion.
a. The fickle fans that turn their back on the favorite fighters when they lose. Online they go to forums and just hate on everything. This turns away new fans and turns away old fans.
b. The UFC is saturating the market. There are so many fights all the time that when the ppv comes out you can barely recognize who is on the card. If they don’t pay the big name fighters more money then the cards will continue to suck with guys that have a 4-1 record that are willing to fight for $2,000. The HW division and LHW division is so bad in the UFC right now and these divisions are the bread and butter of every other organization. It pisses me off because if the UFC wanted they could put every organization in the past by signing the best fighters by paying them the best dollars so they get the best return on ppv buys. All these “dream matches” would take place and all questions would be answered. Right now there is Chuck…. and then everyone else below him. He has murdered the top UFC guys in Randy, Babalu, and Tito. Murdered! Bring in the competition to see who really is the best in the world. Shogun, Rampage, and Wanderlei would not go out like the previously mentioned 3. Fans want to get their $40 worth when buying a ppv. But cards with Dan Lauzon, Chieck Kongo, and Mike Nickels are on it. No disrespect to these 3 but I’m just saying fans would rather see names like Faber, Filipovic, Lindland, and Shogun instead to pay their $40 for. So instead of paying out $300k to fighters and making $30 million they could pay out $600k and make $33 million. I’m no marketing major but I think it is worth the risk. The UFC has the product, it’s just time to let loose the reigns on their money a bit. Sorry for that rant but just speaking what fans are thinking.
10) How long does it take for you to compleate a drawing?
40-60 hours. Or 1.5 - 2 weeks. Or 20-30 movies. Or $0-60 Law and Orders. However you want to look at it.
11) Who in your opinion will take this next UFC card?
Matt Hughes < Georges St. Pierre
Tim Sylvia > Jeff Monson
Brandon Vera > Frank Mir
Alessio Sakara > Drew McFedries(See ..9 b. above))
Joe Stevenson > Dokonjonosuke Mishima
Nick Diaz > Gleison Tibau(See ..9 b. above))
Brad Imes > Antoni Hardonk (See ..9 b. above))
Jake O’Brien > Josh Shockman(See ..9 b. above))
Hector Ramirez > James Irvin (Irin is 1-2 in the UFC. They brought him back, why?)
12) What music are you into atm?
Tool, Primus, Faith no More, Rage Against the Machine, APC, and my son makes me listed to Kidz Bop which is torture.
13) What move makes you jump outta your seat like someone Just turned on the music to Dixi Chicks ;)?
In a good way… Tackling my son and giving him kisses.
In a bad way…. When someone turns on the Dixi Chicks, people with bad gas, and close talkers.
Thanks for takin the time to fill this out if there is anything else youd like to say have at it…..
Thanks for all the support that fans of my art have given me! Also, just want to say I miss Ryan Bennett badly. The fans have been great buying memorabilia sold by Randy Harris on EBay to support the Bennett family. He was the example that EVERY fighter and fan should follow in regards to mma.