10 Questions With Christian Wellisch (by Darrick Patrick)
Christian "The Hungarian Nightmare" Wellisch is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, King Of The Cage, World Extreme Cagefighting, Valor Fighting, Shooto Australia, International Fighting Championship, X-1, Shogun, and Cage Fighting Monterrey.
Darrick: What was the journey that led you to professional mixed martial arts?
Christian: Well, that is sort of a long story. I started wrestling in high school when we first moved to the U.S. and I did Judo for fun in the off-season. I eventually wrestled in college, but a dislocated shoulder cut my career short. Then, I got a job in Silicon Valley and I was bored - so I signed up for Jiu-Jitsu lessons at the first place I saw, which happened to be the American Kickboxing Academy. I was somewhat of a natural at the ground game, and the trainers eventually talked me into taking a fight.
My first fight lasted only about a minute and twenty seconds, but it was the biggest high of my life. I was so pumped that I had to run sprints outside afterward to relieve the energy. So, I juggled work and fighting for a couple of years until I got laid off. I decided to go back to school and thought I was done with fighting for good.
Then, this little thing called The Ultimate Fighter got started and I had to watch my teammates Mike Swick, Bobby Southworth, and Josh Koscheck on TV every week. I got tired of just watching, so my second year of law school I returned to competition and eventually scored a UFC contract.
Darrick: You're also a lawyer, tell us a bit about that side of your life.
Christian: Law school was one of the toughest things I've ever done. It is draining mentally and financially, but now at least I have something to fall back on and I can set a precedent for future generations. Currently, I work as a contractor when I have time, because I cannot take on a full-time job as a lawyer and continue to train at the same time. So, I do part-time work around my training schedule.
I think people don't realize how hard lawyers have to work. It can be very stressful work, frequently requiring 11-hour days. The same thing goes for fighting. People don't appreciate all the work that fighters have to put in to be able to compete at the highest levels. For now I am focusing on my fighting career, but that's only as good as my last fight.
Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?
Christian: Hmmm. I don't know, I've never really thought about that. I have an older brother (four years older) who surely must have influenced me, especially in terms of beating me up every now and then. Perhaps my UFC contract is the result of years of suppressed aggression! I'm just joking. To be honest, we did not fight much and by the time I was fourteen I was pretty much bigger than him anyway. Other than that, my coaches - who are too numerous to name here.
Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?
Christian: To me, MMA is the ultimate in athletic competition. It is a fight, but a fair fight with agreed upon rules and between relative equals. It is such a universally attractive sport because it resonates with everyone as the pure, primal struggle for dominance that it truly is.
Other sports represent dominance through metaphors based on how many times you can put a ball in a goal, or some other such nonsense. In MMA, to win you have to literally beat your opponent. There is only one man against another - with minimal rules, equipment, or scoring. A tough battle between two skilled professionals with all the ego and respect on the line is the highest form of drama to me, whether I am involved or watching.
Darrick: For those who aren't familiar with Christian's Chronicles, what's the scoop on that?
Christian: Like most things I do, I started Christian's Chronicles basically for my own amusement. I thought it would be fun to put short videos online, giving people a behind-the-scenes look at things they otherwise may not get to see - such as what happens after a fight, how do fighters recover from injuries, how much they train, what they like to do to celebrate, etc.
In addition to fighting, I also cover other things I'm involved with, such as the video I did about the Bar Exam. Sometimes I put things on there just because I think they are funny. It's all available online at www.myspace.com/hungariannightmare. I am always open to suggestions, so people can feel free to email me with ideas.
Darrick: Any words of advice for younger individuals looking to compete in the sport?
Christian: First, I think it is very helpful to have a solid background in wrestling. It is a tough sport and a good way to prepare for the rigors of MMA competition. Second, you must find a reputable place to train. Nowadays, everywhere I go people tell me they are involved in MMA. If you are into the sport, you'll know where the skilled fighters train. You have to go to a place like the American Kickboxing Academy, but that is certainly not the only one. There are a few gyms across the country that can provide the kind of training you need to be competitive.
If you want to get anywhere in this sport, be prepared to sacrifice a lot. First, leave everything behind and move to a place that can give you appropriate training. Second, give up your day job. You might even have to leave a girlfriend or two. And all of this still might not be enough, because you could get injured along the way or perhaps you are simply not talented enough to be competitive at the higher levels.
Darrick: Outside of MMA and your law career, what are your other interests?
Christian: I love food. And because I love to eat, by necessity I have developed a love for cooking. I make all kinds of things, usually consisting of whatever I have at the moment to get the protein and carbs I need. But I also have a recipe book from my mom, and flavor is the name of the game there.
I love Hungarian bean soup, Wiener Schnitzel (no, not the fast food chain, but veal cutlets) and other dishes I grew up on back in Europe. I save these for the weekend, because I'd be over three hundred pounds eating like that every day. And let me tell you, I can put the food away. I once finished a 72 ounce steak, baked potato, shrimp cocktail, salad, and bread rolls in less than forty minutes - and won the challenge at the Big Texan ranch in Amarillo. So, I guess the "Hungry Hungarian" jokes are appropriate in my case.
I also like to do art work. I like pencil and pastel. Sadly, I don't have a whole lot of time for that nowadays. But if I ever make enough money and have enough time, I'll have a little art studio where I can just draw, paint, or whatever.
Darrick: If you had three wishes, what would they be?
Christian: Hmmm...peace, love, dope? No, that's inappropriate. I don't know, this is a difficult question. I am a lawyer, you can't expect me to commit to three wishes without some qualifications. If we are talking about pushing the limits, then I'd want to be (1) master of the universe, (2) immortal, (3) with all in fear and awe of me.
If I am in a more altruistic mood, then (1) end all disease, (2) end war, (3) happiness for everyone. But if we're talking about things that are actually possible, then I'd say I want (1) my student loans paid off, (2) a double bonus for fight of the night and submission of the night from the UFC, and (3) oh, I don't know...a solution to global warming? I guess that's possible, right?
Darrick: What is your oldest memory?
Christian: Wow, again, I don't know if I've ever thought about that. I think my answer to that question will have to change with each day of sparring - the punches add up. I remember the place where we lived in Budapest when I was very young with my grandparents. I remember various things, like the cat we used to have and stuff like that, but nothing really springs out as the oldest memory.
Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.
Christian: I was on the swimming and diving team for one season in high school. That was the scariest thing I've ever done - fitting into the speedos!
FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835
You can also check out Christian Wellisch in the following places:
Official Christian Wellisch MySpace Profile:
http://www.myspace.com/hungariannightmare
Official Christian Wellisch Zazzle Site:
http://www.zazzle.com/hungariannightmare
Christian Wellisch on Fight Finder:
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?search=yes&fighterid=3328
Christian Wellisch Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:
http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=3328@@Christian+Wellisch
Tags: Christian Wellisch Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial A
