Interviewed by Nicole of MMA Discussions
http://www.myspace.com/combatart
1. How are you involved in MMA?
I currently train at the Va. Beach Academy of Martial Arts under William Varner and his staff. They have recently become affiliated with Militech Fighting Systems and I am stoked about that! I also fight exhibition matches on Friday nights at the Tidewater Fight Club to keep busy and for the experience.
2. What styles have you trained in?
I started in Tae Kwon Do when I was a teen and I wrestled in high school. Since then I have studied Chi Lin Kung Fu, Russian Sambo, Freestyle Wrestling, BJJ, and Muay Thai. I have been a Martial Arts enthuist as long as I can remember.
3. What sparked your interest in the sport?
This should make you laugh! Saturday Kung Fu Theater! At 3 p.m. everybody on the block headed inside and by 5 p.m. it was on, shit we invented the IFL as kids! If you were in to “wrastlin” in those days you were sure to catch a mouthful of foot on my street!
4. Do you have a favorite style? Or favorite move?
Oh hell yeah! Jui Jitsu is the bomb! Choking someone out is the most relaxing thing I can think of. Who needs a therapist when you can put people to sleep!
5. Tell us about your most recent fight:
This past Friday I took a match with a boxer who outweighed me by 20 lbs. I thought it was a little awkward because I found myself fighting his specialty without 75% of my game usable. He had hands like bricks but I kept him on his heels for most of the fight so they called it a draw. I was very pleased with the experience and being unable to kick or take him down forced me to work my hands only. Great times!
6. What are some things that you would like to see change in MMA?
So much already has! MMA is growing in leaps and bounds, it is getting hard to keep up with all the organizations and talent out there today! If I were able to change something it would be to give some bureaucrats a cranio-rectalectomy(pull their heads out of their asses). I don’t think it is fair to the athletes(yes we are ATHLETES!) who put their lives into this sport to have some uneducated(about the sport),rich,snobby politicians influencing athletic commisions on how to do the job they ARE educated for hence making our goals impossible to achieve. I’ll get off my soapbox now!
7. Are there any fighters/trainers who you find inspiring?
Randy Couture, without a doubt! If I could be half the fighter and gentleman he is I would do this sport proud. I also find insriration in people who know what they are capable of and don’t have to brag to try and convince everyone else, actions always speak louder than words!
8. Which fight of yours was most memorable?
(Laughing) The forth grade. It was the first day of school and I just transferred from private to public school. We were sitting in the cafeteria for an assembly and a kid started messing with me for no reason, so I knocked him into the middle of the aisle from the end seat and commenced to whoopin’ his ass!
Only problem was, the principal was on the podium addressing the entire student body and staff. Talk about exposure, it was the biggest fight audience I’ve had yet!
9. Out of all the fights you have watched (either in person, or televised) which one stands out in your mind the most? Why?
Royce Gracie winning UFC 1, from that point on I knew BJJ was the shit and it was what I wanted to do!
10. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to continue training. What is your primary motivation?
Hard work? Are you kiddin’, I love this shit! Every time I get hit I feel ALIVE! I have NO fear of physical pain, most of the time I don’t even acknowledge it.
Emotional pain is the real killer, I have seen men die from a broken heart but never from a broken nose.
11. If you had all the resources you could ever need, what would you accomplish in MMA?
I would make sure that everyone who had the true desire to train and compete had the venue to do so.
On a selfish note, I would love to fight for the UFC lightweight title!
12. Do you have any special dieting or training methods?
I don’t put any poisons into my body and I don’t do anything to slow me down or make me stupid,i.e. alcohol or drugs. My diet is really simple, sometimes boring in fact but I do sneak a few cookies every once and awhile with my kids! I guess it is working because I have come down from 205 lbs. to 155lbs. and I am stronger and more flexible than I have ever been in my life. Every time I fight no one believes how old I am when I tell them (you’ll have to look at my profile to find out :-)). I always train with guys alot heavier and more advanced than me to continue to better myself.
13. What are some other things you enjoy doing with your time?
I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors so anything that gets me out of the house I am down for! Lately between work and training I don’t have time for much so I try to spend my free time with my kids, they are awesome! That means alot of cartoons, more therapy!
I could put social workers out of business, just watch cartoons and kick ass and the world is great!
Is there anything else you would like to add? Or any sponsors you would like to mention?
Always thank God for what you have or you could lose it! Thanks to everyone who puts up with my desire for perfection, it doesn’t mix well with my hard head, and thanks to MMA Discussions for lettin’ me keep it real!
Live, Love, FIGHT!
Who do you think should go after GSP next and why?
I have two kids Adam who is 8 and Isabella who is 3. I work for a Steel company doing drafting and also im the Sergant at the Coosada Fire Dept. Thats about it….
