MMA Discussions

Interviewed by Angela of MMA Discussions

http://www.myspace.com/killer_b_47

1. How did you get involved in MMA? I started out taking Tae Kwon Do in highschool. Once i came to college in arizona i went to a fight and realized that i wanted to step in the cage and test my skills. I got in touch with the right people and they made it happen.

2. What is your current record and weight class? My record is 17-8-0. I fight at both 155 and 170

3. What team do you train under and who are your trainers? I fight for the Arizona Center of Mixed Martial Arts… My original teacher was Steve Hochuli. He’s the genius behind my BJJ foundation. Marc Zee is my current trainer and the head instructor at ACMMA

4. What types of fighting styles do you want to learn that you haven’t yet? I would really like to get a little bit better and wrestling and judo. My BJJ and standup are both pretty solid but i could always improve.

5. Who would you like to learn from? Anyone that can me better

6. Who are your sponsors? Rage N Glory fight gear

7. Who would you like to get into the cage with? I’d love a rematch with bart Palaszewski. Ive actually got a laundry list of fighters… but at the moment my fight career is on hold until i get out of the military

8. Do you hold or have held any belts? I currently hold the 155 lb belt and the 170 lb belt at Rage in the Cage. I am also the former 170 lb belt holder for the XCF: Havoc in Havasu

9. What are your hobbies and/or interests outside of the octagon? Lol Beer Pong and stayin in shape. I know those two things dont go together very well but i make it work

10. Which one of your fights was the biggest win and why? Probably beating Shannon Ritch. I was such a huge underdog going into that fight and i ended up arm barring him in a minute and a half.

11. UFC66….Chuck or Tito? Tito

12. When and where is your next fight?

13. What are your hopes and dreams for the future in the MMA world? My dream is to get back into MMA when im done with the military and make it to the UFC!!! Im so close right now but i honestly feel like theres more out there in this life than fighting that will grant me greater fulfillment. Ive wanted to be a soldier since i was old enough to walk so me joining is a pursuit of a life long dream. I will be back tho. Mark my words I’ll be back

Interviewed by Angela of MMA Discussions

http://www.myspace.com/57892420

1. What got you started in MMA?
the life long passion to fight for competition plus the fact that it finally became legal in the u.s. when i was a teenager….that helped!

2. What is your current record and weight class?
amateur:3-0 & pro:1-0, i fight @ 170 & 185 (wltr & mid)

3. Are you part of a team?
yes, MMAthmatix Fight Team out of Austin, Tx.!

4. Who have you trained with and/or would like to train with?
Team Fantastic, Lions Den, Grapplers Domain & Paul Buenitello. i would like to train with Frank Shamrock!

5. Who are your heros, idols, or people who inspire you?
Rickson Gracie, Frank Shamrock, B.J. Penn & Fedor (Duh)!

6. Are there any other fighting styles that you would like to learn?
just more kick boxing….i’m in the process though!

7. What is your nickname and how did you get it?
uhh, dont really have one yet! dont need one though!

8. What are some of your accomplishments?
my first & only pro fight i landed a 16 sec submission victory on a 6-0 fighter! …also, i didn’t lose any amateurs either.

9. What advantages do you have over your opponents?
i am a thinker! also i am just really hard to hurt for strikers and the grounds my home. and, i evolve fast and never let up on conditioning and training….im hungry!

10. What would you say your strengths are?
an iorn will and a true understanding of the over all mental aspects of the fight game!

11. What are your hobbies or interests outside of the octagon?
video games and just hanging out with my peepz!

12. What are some fun facts about you?
i’m agnostic, missing two origional front teeth, multiple felon & I STAND WHEN I PEE!

13. Where do you want your career in MMA to go?
to the moon….Pride FC Grand Prix Finals (someday!)

Thank you so much for your time! Feel free to add any additional information or shout outs at the end!
Angela

thanx angela, please let me know when and where i can see this posted or published. holla!

Interviewed by Nor Remorse

http://www.knoxxgear.com

01) Thanks for your time. What’s new with KNOXX Gear?

There are many new things going on with KNOXX. We are
revamping
our website, creating new designs, working on a branding strategy for
Chute Boxe USA which includes a logo re-design and clothing line, and
always researching new products for market..

02) For those who do not know what KNOXX is, can you give us the run down?

KNOXX is dedicated to designing products for individuals with
independent
thought that walk a path away from the status quo.
KNOXX pays homage to that journey by redefining that RENEGADE HERITAGE.

“KNOXX IS A RENEGADE LIFESTYLE”

Our clothing is inspired by what we call the Renegade Lifestyle. We
thought about “What would still be considered a renegade in our current
society?” What came to the forefront were fighters, DJs, models and
Go-Go
dancers. All these occupations would frowned upon by our parents
followed
by a slap upside the head.

So KNOXX creates and designs products for people that want to be
different, dare to stand out, and also look good living life.

03) Can you tell us some history about KNOXX and how it got
started?

There are 3 guys that started KNOXX and we love the sport. I
trained in the martial arts also so I know a lot of people that are in
the
fight network or industry in Northern CA. Everyone I knew always
talked about how no one was able to find nice looking gear that caters
to
the fight scene so KNOXX was formed to create these products
for these people

04) What are some short-term goals you’d like to achieve by the end
of the year?
We want our customers and fans to enjoy our KNOXX products and
in turn will continue to support us. We are concentrating on
finishing our latest designs in order to have them ready for 2007.

05) Any long term goals for KNOXX Gear?

We constantly think about ways to solidify the KNOXX brand
image.
So our long term goal is simply to do whatever it takes to make
KNOXX successful.

06) KNOXX seems to be involved alot with music, can you tell us how
that is all tied in?

Our clothing is designed for the Renegade Lifestyle. So the djs,
models and go-go dancers that are doing big things in their careers
getting the recognition they deserve. They work hard because they
love what they do, sometimes in addition to a 9-5 job. Pro fighters,
musicians, djs, models, go-go dancing are all players in fields of
entertainment that we all love.
KNOXX believes that they all tie together, we are catering to the
demographic that feels the same way.

07) What can you tell us about you personally, tell us more about
the person behind KNOXX…
There are 3 founders of KNOXX and we each hold different roles and
responsiblities. Theres an artist, Al Calmerin, that has been doing
artwork and designs for mainstream brands, smaller underground
skateboarding companies, and music companies, Alan Palomares has
experience in sales, marketing, design and manufacturing clothing
products, and Damon Gee also has experience in sales, marketing,
management and also loves to train in the martial arts. We are very
different individuals that came together to try to tie it all together
in a new fresh way.

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

I start getting MMA after watching the early UFC. Back then
there
were a lot less rules and it was interesting watching traditional
martial arts showcase their style against another style. Its an
exciting sport and I respect the fighters alot because they
dedicate a lot of time and energy to do what they do in the ring.

09) What fighters, if any, do you admire or look up to?

I would say that I admire all professional fighters in general
because I see their training schedules and how hard it is to try to
make
it to the top

10) If you could see ANY MMA fight, who would it be?

There are so many fighters that I would love to see matched up.
I wouldnt mind watching Rampage and Chuck Liddel fight each other
again. I think that fight might actually happen very soon. I
would like to see a lot of Pride fighters get matched up with the UFC
fighters also there are just too many I would like to see to
just name one.

11) What are your thoughts on the current state of Mixed Martial
Arts and how big it’s getting?

I think its great that MMA is growing so fast. It a very
exciting
sport and I still consider this just the baby stage still. I’m sure
it
will get a lot bigger than it is now, like 10 times bigger

12) Can you tell us some of the names of fighters who are sponsored
by KNOXX?

KNOXX currently sponsors Cung Le, Josh Thomson, Paul
Buentello,
Nam Phan, Kit Cope and Alessio Sakara.

13) Thanks for your time! Feel free to say anything else you’d like
and don’t forget your plugs!

Thanks to all the supporters that have
purchased our gear or have visited us at our booths at the fights or
shows. Thanks to our fighters, Cung Le(cungle.com), Josh
Thomson(joshthomson.com), Paul Buentello(paulbuentello.com), Nam
Phan(iamnam.com), Kit Cope(kitcope.com), Cung Le’s USH fight team
,Travis Johnson, Sam Hoger, Chute Boxe USA, and Alessio Sakara. Thanks to our
Bay Area DJs, E-Rock, Zhaldee and Ajaxx and our spokesmodel Alexia
Lei(alexialei.com), Cung Le Martial Arts, One World Martial Arts, Nor
Cal Fight Factory, American Kickboxing
Academy, 360 Self Defense, Strongvon.com, Strikeforce
Promotions(strikeforceusa.net), Ultimatefightnight.tv, radio stations
street teams Wild 94.9, Energy’s 92.7 , KDON 102.5 and FAHRENHEIT Ultra
Lounge in San Jose(fultralounge.com)

Interviewed by Michelle of MMA Discussions

http://www.myspace.com/thickskinmma

1) Tell the ppl who dont know about you who you are and what you do?

Right now i am just a huge MMA fan who is starting a clothing company. If anybody has ever started a business, they know that it takes a lot of hard work to get a business up and running. So thats pretty much yaking up all of my time.

2) Tell us a lill about your Mixed Martial Arts clothing company?

We are still at the beginning of our career. We are working on getting a business loan so we can finally put out a whole line of clothing. As soon as we do that we will launch our website.

3) What type of ppl do you like to see wear your clothes?

Fighters and Fans are the people we are catering to.

4) Who are your sponsors and or who do you sponsor?

Right now we are sponsoring 3 fighters. Aaron Wayne, Mario Gomez, and Bret Whitley. All we can afford to do for them right now is hook them up with gear. Once we get past the point where we can pay ourselves, then we will start paying our fighters what they deserve. And as our business grows, we will be adding more fighters to our team.

5) Tell us about your trip to the fights in New Mexico?

That was a very interesting trip to say the least. One of our friends was a judge at the fights so we thought what the hell, lets go check it out. The fights were in a town called Lordsburg, Which is about a 6 hour drive from where I live. On the way there we were in Phoenix driving in the carpool lane and we hit a couch cushion in the middle of the road. We drove over the top of it, and the car directly behind us ran it over. It went fly8ing over the car behind it, and hit the car behind that one right in the windshield. that was pretty funny. We finally got to Lordsburg, and it looked like a place where you would get some type of desease as soon as you stepped out of the car. We checked into our hotel and went right to the fight venue. The cage was really small, so all of the fights were mostly ground fights. Thats where we saw Gomez fight to a very impressive win. All of the fights were very entertaining and only 1 made it past the first round. I was pretty skeptical when I got there, but it was a good time.

6) How do you come up with some of the ideas for your work?

They just come to me. I go months without any, then all of the sudden, I get 10 all at once. We are focusing on putting out great designs that will hang with the best of them.

7) What would be your pick for fight of the year and why?

I can’t pick a fight of the year. I have a lot of favorites. Rich Franklin vs. David Loiseau was awesome.
Matt Hughes and BJ Penn was good to, as well as Hughes vs. St. Pierre. Kendall Grove vs. Ed herman was awesome. Sanchez vs. Parisyan, Fickett vs. Parisyan. I could go on. To many good fights to choose from.
Where is the one place youd rather be for Christmas?

Somewhere warmer than here, I don’t care where. Flagstaff, AZ is flippen cold.

9) What is it that draws you to MMA so?

The purity of the sport. 80 % of the time it is always exciting to watch. It takes so much skill and athleticismto compete at that level. It’s the greatest sport ever.

10) Whats your pick for the fight between Chuck and Tito and how will they win?

Liddell, first round knock out. I am a big fan of Tito too, I just don’t see anyone beating Liddell right now.

11) Who do you think should go after GSP for the title?

Good question, I don’t know. He is on top of his game right now. I don’t think Sanchez is ready yet. And I am getting sick of immediate rematches.

12) What other sports do you follow?

Offroad motorsports, Like motocross and Supercross. Offroad racing like Baja 1000 and stuff like that.

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

I think its awesome. Soon the fighters will be getting paid what they deserve. I just hope and prey that Dana White won’t hire people like Kurt Angle or any WWE guys for that matter. I think that would severly damge the sport.

Thanks a bunch for takin the time to fill this out for us. If there is anything else youd like to add have at it……

Thanks
Jesse
owner
Thick skin inD.

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!

Interviewed by Michelle of MMA Discussions

http://www.myspace.com/firefighter1557

1) What got you into MMA and when?

I guess to be honest it was back when Ken Shamrock and Dan Sevren were in the WWF and they kept talking about where they came from. I saw a fight between Royce Gracie and someone else I forget now but I was hooked from then on.

2) Who are some of your fav fighters and why?

Chuck Liddell, Andrei Arlovski, Razor Rob MCcullough.
Chuck Liddell~Because of his work ethic and dedication to the sport. He isnt afraid of anyone and I have yet to see him back down.
Andrei Arlovski~Because of his pure power I havent seen someone hit this hard since Pedro Rizzo, although he did show weakness in his Sylvia fights.
Razor Rob~Because he is just freaking awesome this guy can kick like a mule and did you see the way he broke Olaf’s nose?

3) How did you hear about us at MMA DISCUSSIONS?

I saw the advertisement on a friend of mines page her name is Jenny Ponte Hyper.

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

Im just glad its finally getting the respect it deserves. I use to watch the wrestling on tv sad to say. But when I realized it was all fake drama crap and I saw that first UFC fight I was hooked. I still think its sold short though with asses like Jim Lampley talking trash about it on HBO all the time. That guy is an idiot anyways standing up there with Larry Merchant “the oldest living annoucer alive”and Lennox Lewis who had his ass handed to him by Vitali Klitschko

5) What other sports do you follow?

I love Boxing. Im a huge Klitschko fan.

6) What would be your pick for fight of the year and why?

I guess I would say Liddell and Ortiz on the 30th. Because honestly im ready to see Liddell beat his ass again. I have to say Tito is no joke by any means but he is no Liddell.

7) What type of music are you into?

Alittle of everything Im really into a band called Cursive at the moment but all time fav. is Incubus.
Who do you think should go after GSP next and why?

I think Matt Hughes needs to get back in the gym correct what he did wrong and avenge his title.

9) Have you ever been to live events b4 and if so when and where?

No I havent had the pleasure yet. Here in Alabama there still not real popular.I plan on it someday though. My buddy Steve Mazzagatti is a ref for the UFC and Ill catch a show when I make it to vegas to visit him.

10) Have you or would you ever consider trainin MMA style?

O sure I have trained Aikido for the Sheriffs Dept. I know its totally diff but yes I would love to train MMA.

11) Do your friends and family understand why your into MMA?

LOL yes im trying to get my dad into it. My wife likes Chuck and thinks Andrei is hot LOL.

12) Chuck or Tito and how. Whats your pick?

Chuck 2nd round KO by strikes. He is going to wait for his chance and unleash on Tito.

13) Tell us a lill about you as a person?

Well me in a nutshell …My name is Tony I live in Coosada Al. im 27 married for 8 years to my Beautiful wife Hope who I met in 4th grade 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….

Thanks a bunch for takin the time to fill this out. If there is anything else youd like to add have at it…….

Yall are doing a awesome job keep up the great work.

Interviewed by Michelle of MMA Discussions

http://www.myspace.com/mmafighting

1)Tell us a lill about MMAFighting.com?

MMAFighting.com is a website that covers the sport of mixed martial arts. We have daily news, exclusive interviews, videos, pictures, and more! We’ve been around for almost six years now. Check us out. We hope you enjoy it. If you like to chat with other mixed martial arts fans, our forum is located at www.mmafighting.net.

2) What is it that brought you into the land of MMA and when?

It was just an exciting sport and I wanted a way to get the word out about the sport.

3) Have you or would you ever consider fighting MMA?

No, I’ll leave it up to the professionals.

4) Tell us about some of the events you have been to?

PRIDE 32 was pretty fun, to experience a PRIDE show in America was incredible. Long time coming. The crowd was awesome.

5) Out of all the styles of fighting what kind do you like and why?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Royce Gracie did a lot for the sport early on.

6) Who are some of your fav fighters?

Karo Parisyan, GSP, Fedor, Nogueira, Gomi, Sakuraba

7) Do you sponcer ppl or are you sponcered?

Nope. If you have a company looking to advertise on MMAFighting.com, send an email to advertising@mmafighting.com.
What are your thoughts on the blow up of the MMA today in the US?

It’s great. The fighters will finally get paid what they are worth. I’m happy for them. It’s a good time to be fans, there are shows popping up everywhere.

9) Chuck or Tito and how whats your pick?

Chuck Liddell by referee stoppage second round.

10) What other sports do you follow?

Basketball. Phoenix Suns are playing really well with Amare back in top form.

11) What do your friends and family think of you doin what you do for MMA?

My close family and friends are casual fans and they don’t have too much to think of it.

12) Tell us a lil about you as a person?

I’m easy going, not used to being on this side of the interview, I hope this is somewhat entertaining.
13) Where is the one place youd rather be right now?
I’m freezing in the midwest right now, I’ll have to say… Hawaii!