MMA Discussions

Interviewed by Michelle of MMA Discussions

Chris “Bang Bang” Smith

http://www.myspace.com/cjsmmabadboy

1) What got you into MMA?

Like most people, it was after watching the early UFC’s. Seeing a little guy (Royce) beating guys who outweighed him by so much was amazing. And I..ll never forget the sight of Keith Hackney punching Joe Son in the balls about 8 times, ha! Unfortunately, there was nothing like that over here at the time, and it wasn’t until about 8 years ago that i got to train.

2) Who are you sponcers?

I don’t have any sponsors yet, but i have had an offer from FIGHT FREEK clothing, although they seem to have gotten quiet now.

3) When is your next fight?

My next fight will be in the new year, but i don’t have any dates yet. At least i get to drink & eat lots over xmas!

4) What is your training schedual like?

At the moment, i’m training 4 times a week purely MMA, i run a MMA class on Monday nights and i’ll do some circuits/fitness work in between. Leading up to a fight, i step it up a level & hit the weights.

5) Howd you get the nick Bang Bang?

Started as a joke with a guy at work when he found out i fight, and i kind of like it so it stuck!

6) What the one place you would love to train and havent yet?

Used to be Brazil, as my roots are in BJJ, but the thought of training up at Big Bear with Tito would be awesome.

7) What is your signature move?

Probably arm-bar from guard, although i’m known for my leg-locks.
Tell us some thing embarassing that has happend to you?

I once spent the whole night slagging off James Thompson (Pride FC) saying how shit he is, and he’s a dick head etc. Turns out his girlfriend was sat right in front of me and heard everything! He is shit but hes 6ft 4 and 250ib.

9) What is your diet like when about to fight?

I just try and cut out all the junk food, no beers obviously and eat light on the day of the weigh in.
I never cut weight because i fight at my true weight.

10) What are your thoughts on the blow up of MMA in the US today?

It’s awesome, and i hope it continues as i think it will.
We can only hope that it blows up as big here in the UK.

11) What fight in your opinion was the best of the year this far?

GSP vs BJ Penn was a good one for me. The whole atmosphere was amazing, with Penn walking out with the belt! It was a battle! Hughes and Gracie was good too, kind of like passing the torch to the new generation.

12) Who do you see winning Tito or Liddell and GSP or Huges?

I..d like to see Tito win but it..s a long shot. He needs to bring his ..A.. game, and catch Chuck on a bad day, which you never really see Chuck on a bad day.
I think GSP might take this one.

13)Tell us about your fav fight what made it your fav?

Way too many to pick a definite favourite, but I like most of Tito..s fights because of the atmosphere surrounding them, with the dramatic entrances. Royce vs Dan Severn was good..yeah there..s way too many ha, ha. Thanks.

Interviewed by Michelle of MMA Discussions

Jake Thomas

http://www.myspace.com/soldierofgod96

1) What got you into MMA?

i have watched UFC since i was about 4 years old and after starting wrestling it was a natural progression. i went from wrestling to boxing and than mixed them all together and started working on my BJJ

2) Who are your sponcers?

hollow point energy drinks, GBD Fence and cage, 3 ribers drywall

3) What were the results of your last fight and who was it against?

TKO 1:13 of the first round against a guy named Zach. I dont remember his last name

4) How does it feel to have them belts around your waist?

i love it. it’s like the greatest thing in the world.

5) Who do you fight for what org?

i fight for Pacific Coast Cage Fights, Full Contact Fighting Federation, and Capitol City Cage Fights.

6) What is the one place that youd love to fight and havent yet?

Japan.

7) When and where is your next fight?

Roseland Theatre in Portland Oregon at FCFF. the fight should be at the end of February.
One place youd rather be right now is?

Vegas training with Randy Cotoure

9) What type of music are you into atm?

hardcore/ post hardcore/ country/ metal/ screamo

10) Whats your signature move?

my GNP game.

11) Is there someone special in you life?

Stephanie Siegal and my MAMA

12) Tell me about who you are as a person?

My name is Jake Thomas. I am fighter, a wrestler, a leader, good friend, loving son, full of respect for everyone.

13) Whats your training schedual like?

wrestling practice Monday thru Friday 2:30- about 6:00. MMA training monday 7-8:30. 6:00-7:30 tuesday thru thursday. MMA training Saturday 1-3:30

This Edition of 13 Q’s is with an amateur fighter out of Oregon.

He goes by Jackson

http://www.myspace.com/jackson_h

1.) Have you competed in a pro or amateur Mixed Martial Arts event? What’s your record?

yes amateur 1-0

2.) Have you competed in any grappling tournaments? Which ones?

no just a cage fight we did it all

3.) Where do you train, with who and how often?

at the Y every day 3 hours a day with west coast fighters trainer Jim Domage

4.) What’s your favorite way a finish a fight?

how ever as long as im on top.

5.) Who are some fighters/grapplers that you look up to or admire their styles?

tido matt and chuck

6.) What are your thoughts on how BIG MMA is getting in the states?

kicks ass

7.) Hughes vs. GSP, predicition?

Hughes 2nd round

8.) What besides fighting or grappling do you enjoy to do for fun?

hanging out with my kids and my girl

9.) When did you start getting into MMA/Grappling?

last year

10.) Is there a fighter in the UFC/PRIDE that you’d love to have a fight with?

GSP………

11.) What would be your dream fight card?

Jackson VS GSP

12.) What’s worse, FEAR or ARROGANCE?

Arrogance it will get you hurt

13.) When is your next fight/event?

march 2007

Thanks again! Feel free to say anything else you’d like people in the MMA Community to hear or know about you.

WESTCOAST FIGHTERS GRANTSPASS OREGON

Interviewed by Michelle of MMA Discussions

http://www.myspace.com/outlawgirls

1) What got you into MMA?

Friends who fight
2) Who is your fav fighter?

Erik ..The Outlaw.. Hayes!

3) Have you been to any live fights this yr, if so what ones?

Yep! 2006
04/08/06 Gladiator Challenge at Konocti Vista Casino
07/01/06 Gladiator Challenge at Sac Memorial Auditorium
07/08/06 Gladiator Challenge at Konocti Vista Casino
IFC at Arco whenever that was… 6/30?
10/14/06 Gladiator Challenge at Konocti Vista Casino
10/28/06 KOTC in Reno at Silver Legacy

4) What fight of this yr do you think was the best?

The one with Scott Smith pulling out one last solid punch for a knock out when he could barely stand himself was awesome!

5) What kind of music are you into atm?

No one type… I always love the 80..s, some Top40, hiphop, etc.

6) Whats your pick for best movie of the year?

Lucky .. Slevin was good
7) What are your thoughts on the blow up of the MMA today in the US?

Better late than never!

What is the one move in the cage that makes you jump outta your seat like a spider just landed on you?

A spinning punch or kick that knocks someone on their ass

9) Tell us about your display name howd it come about?

SiS… Everyone calls me that, hearing my brother call me it caught on I guess, lol…

10) Tell us about you as a person?

I try to have as much fun as I can… I never save the best for last and my smile keeps people guessing
11) Huges or GSP?

GSP

12) Chuck or Tito?

Chuck

13) Do your female and male friends understand your love for the MMA?

Yep! Most of them are into the same things I am

Interviewed by Michelle of MMA Discussions

Daniel Madrid

http://www.myspace.com/danielmadrid12

1) What got you into MMA?

A: I started watching UFC and Pride when I was 16 and from there I told myself one day that I would be a fighter or atleast a fan for life. Than a friend by the name of Robert Beraun helped me get ready for my first fight and its been going from there.

2) When is you next fight and where and against whom?

A: I’m not sure when my next fight will be, I just had a fight for Xtreme Courage Fighting Championship on November 11th for the Middle-Weight Belt, that belt now resides at the N.E.S.T. (New Era Sports Training Gym). So when it comes time to defend it or if something happens before than I’ll let you know.

3) Who are your sponcers?

A: My sponsors are Rage N Glory and the N.E.S.T, they have provided a lot for me and I thank them a lot.

4) What is your trainin schedual like gettin ready for the next fight?

A: Well for this last fight I focused a lot on my cardio. Being that this fight was scheduled for 3 rounds 5 minutes each I wanted to make sure that I had enough endurance and stamina to make it through those rounds. Other than that Edwin really pushed me on my jiu jitsu and Joe Riggs and Mario O’Francis pushed me on my boxing and Muy Thai.

5) What about your diet what that like right now?

A: Lol, my diet right now is eating anything I want. But during the fight I focused a lot of protein and carbs and my calorie intake. Chicken and tuna became an everyday thing for me, oatmeal is a man’s best friend for long lasting carbs lol.

6) So how do you know your a Casanova ;)?

A: What can I say to this one lol, no the reason I have the name “Casanova” is because the other fighters at my camp read what I had put on a female’s comment and thats how it became that I am now known as Casanova.

7) Where is the one place youd love to train and havent yet?

A: I would love to train with Bas Rutten. I have been a huge fan of his and I have followed his fighting career for a while now. I would love to train my leg kicks with him. He is vicious with his stand up and I admire that about him.
What was the best fight you have ever had and please details?

A: Well I was looking forward to fighting Shannon Ritch in my second fight but due to forces beyond my control I didn’t get the chance to fight him. But my best fight so far would have to be my latest fight against Billy Gonzalez this November 11th. First round he comes out and throws a head kick which I blocked and took him right down with a good slam. I ended up in his guard which I eventually passed and took his back while we were scrambling. Went for the rear naked choke and than rolled to mount which i got a couple good shots in. He left an arm extended which I noticed a couple times so I went for the arm bar which was unsuccessful. He landed 4 good shots to my face and than I transversed to the opposite arm bar. I heard it start to pop and I knew it was on the verge of breaking and so did he so he went back into my guard. From there I finished it with a triangle and got my victory and belt.

9) What type of music are you into atm?

A: I listen to music that I can hardly hear the words being said lol. I have to have music that gets me pumped for a fight and to train as well. But there will be sometimes when you see me crusing down the road bumping to some Eminem, Dr. Dre, or 50 cent. And unlike other people in this sport I do like country every now and than.

10) What is your signature move?

A: I love triangles, you can do a lot from this submission even if it is unsuccessful. So I tend to favor that more than others but I consider myself to be good in other submissions aswell.

11) Who do you train with?

A: I train with an organization called “The N.E.S.T.” they recently just started up. Our trainers are Edwin”Bam bam” Dewees and Joe”Diesel” Rigss. Our boxing coach is Mario O’Francis, he used to train Roy Jones Jr.

12) Tell us what a normal day is for you?

A: A normal day for me is waking up around 11a.m. eating breakfeast or lunch, go to training at 2p.m. Weight lift and train till 6p.m. Than from there I go to work as a bouncer at Centerfold Cabaret. I love what I do and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

13) What do you think of the blow up of the MMA today in the US?

A: I think it’s great, it is about time that people noticed this sport and show support to the fighters who give everything they have for this sport. Anyone can fight on the street that isn’t hard, but when you show true dedication to this sport and give everything you have every day of the week, that is something to be proud of.