10 Questions With Mike Wessel (by Darrick Patrick)

Mike "The Juggernaut" Wessel is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Art Of War, Subzero Fighting, Extreme Fighting League, and Ring Rulers.  He was also featured on the tenth season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Dan Christison in the Canadian Fighting Championship at CFC 4 on February 26th, 2010.

Darrick: What was the road that led you to professional mixed martial arts competition?

Mike: I had stopped playing pro football and I was hired as a coach for the University of Arkansas.  My fiancée (at the time) and I moved to Fayetteville so that I could take the position.  I loved coaching but I missed athletic competition.  I had played football since the second grade and I was lost.  I really missed competing.

My fiancée soon left Arkansas because she wanted to be closer to her family.  After she left, I started drinking every night and bar-hopping and I was just not happy.  One day while at work we had the TV on watching the UFC.  I told Coach Wilfawn that I knew I could do that.  He said that I should because he knew I definitely needed something (besides beer) to occupy my time.  I contacted our team’s martial arts instructor and I started training the next day.

I started out not knowing anything about this sport and just wanted to do something that gave me a challenge.  I didn’t have any intention of fighting but my instructor asked if I would like to fight.  I talked it over with the other coaches and at first they were concerned but allowed me to do it.

I fought my first fight on March 23rd, 2007.  I fought an amateur that was 8-2.  I defeated him with strikes in the second round.  After another year of training and continuing to coach the Razorbacks, I decided to leave coaching behind and turn pro.  All of the coaches supported me and many came to my fights.  So, I did the logical thing and moved to Little Rock to train full-time.

Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?

Mike: I respect all fighters even if I don’t like them personally.  I respect this sport.  It is the most difficult sport to master and compete in.  If I needed to name an individual though, I would say that I have a ton of respect for Forrest Griffin.  His drive and competitiveness is awesome.  He never quits and when you watch him fight he inspires you.  Plus, he is one of the coolest fighters that I have trained with.

Darrick: Do you have any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?

Mike: Train as much as humanly possible and condition every other day.  Conditioning is very important and you can never have enough.  Find a coach that you agree with, but pushes you to get better.  Stay away from the BS of the politics of martial arts gyms.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Dan Christison on February 26th.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Mike: I'm scared shitless.  (Laughs)  No, I'm really anxious and concerned about his reach and his ground game.  I have not technically fought in over a year and I am nervous about my training and how this fight (win or lose) can affect my career.  I have a lot riding on this fight and a lot of eyes watching.  I just have to do my thing and not worry about his game and go from there.

Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?

Mike: The freedom and being able to do something that pretty much everyone respects.  Most people would love to have my life.  I train for a job and fight for fun.  I love it.  No boss, and people and kids look up to you as if you’re doing something so great.  I am doing something great, but it's funny how others treat you because they truly wish they could do what you do for a living.  That’s a great feeling.

Darrick: Who is someone that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Mike: My grandmother.  She is the number one influence and has been a major part of my life and helped shape me into who I am today.  She and my mother gave me the "never quit" attitude.  I will never quit no matter how difficult things become in life.  This is what I love most about my grandmother, she never quits or gives in.  I love that woman.  I appreciate what I have learned from her every day.

Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?

Mike: I really don’t have many interests other than mixed martial arts and training.  It consumes me.  I’m a huge Ole Miss and Michigan fan.  Go REBS!  My coaching friends are there now and I get free tickets.  Besides college football, I love to lock up the house and be away from the world and spend alone time with my wife.  I really don’t enjoy going out or being in public except for when I'm training.  So, anytime I can get to not talk to anyone but my wife and sex her up is what I’m interested in.  It's what we do.

Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.

Mike: Well, I’m pretty open but right now I am reading four books: The Dead Sea Scrolls Bible, The Koran, the King James Version of the Bible, and Project Everlasting.  (Laughs)  That’s a diverse quad but in a sick way I find it humorous to read the different religion books.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Mike: I don’t remember what it is right now.  I do remember telling my third grade class that I would be famous and be a professional athlete.  They all said no way and it pissed me off.  It really did.  I guess they will have last laugh though about the famous thing later.  (Laughs)

Darrick: If you were the last person alive on Earth, what do you think you'd do to entertain yourself?

Mike: I would find the Playboy Mansion and keep all of the art as close as possible.  There would be no women, but at least the artwork would keep me company.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out Mike Wessel in the following places:

Official Mike Wessel Website:

http://www.mikewessel.net

Official Mike Wessel Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jonesboro-AR/Mike-Wessel/140809128913

Mike Wessel on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Mike-Wessel-25524

Mike Wessel Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/25524

Tags: Mike Wessel Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts

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