10 Questions With Kenny Florian (by Darrick Patrick)

Kenny Florian is a professional mixed martial artist who appeared on the first season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter and has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Mass Destruction, and Combat Zone.  At the time of this interview, his next match is against Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 13 on April 2nd, 2008.

Darrick: What road led you to competing in professional mixed martial arts?

Kenny: I have always loved competition and always admired the skill and technique of the fighting arts.  I was a huge Bruce Lee fan and had four brothers that all liked to mix it up.  I grew up doing martial arts and watching boxing and pro wrestling.  Seeing the first UFC reignited my interest in martial arts and fighting.  My training and competing in BJJ ultimately led to MMA.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Kenny: My father was a big inspiration for me.  He believed in determination, hard work, and dedication in being successful.  I always enjoyed hearing about athlete's stories of perseverance as well.  People like Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe, Alexis Arguello, Larry Bird, Joe Montana, and Bruce Lee are just some of the athletes/people I found to be amazing and inspiring.

Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?

Kenny: It depends - I have technical training sessions which involve drilling moves, and isolated positional training in stand up or on the ground.  I also have sparring.  I have strength and conditioning sessions.  I train six times per week with two to three sessions per day.  The training involves a lot of effort, brain power, soreness, and help from good coaches.

Darrick: You have a match with Joe Lauzon coming up in April, are there any special preparations that you're making for this fight?

Kenny: No comment.

Darrick: What would you say to younger individuals looking to make a career in MMA?

Kenny: Do it because you love it and do it for no other reason.

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

Kenny: I respect any and every individual who trains hard, fights hard, and is respectful in MMA.  They could be at the pinnacle of the sport or at the local level.  It doesn't matter as long as they give it their all and have a great attitude.  I believe that person deserves respect from everyone regardless of their accomplishments.

Darrick: Outside of martial arts, what are your other interests?

Kenny: I am pretty boring really and to be honest I don't do much that is not related to MMA.  I am always training, thinking about training, or teaching MMA.  I do simple things like read a good book, watch a good movie, hang out with my family, or play with my dog.

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

Kenny: I am a first generation immigrant.  Both of my parents immigrated from Peru.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Kenny: Playing with my siblings.

Darrick: If you had 24 hours left to live, how would you spend that time?

Kenny: I would gather all of my family members, my closest friends, and I would eat an amazing meal.  I would get a training session in that day with my brothers and my movement would be effortless and flowing.  I would try to do this spending as much time as possible close to an ocean with giant waves crashing on cliffs, hopefully in a country or place I have never been before or a place I am seeing for the first time.

The day would involve laughter and happiness, but at the same time I would like to feel sensations of pain and pleasure.  Tears would only be shed in joy though.  I would have the most clear meditation for one hour straight, sense peace, and then in an amazing turn, I would defeat death and die two days later instead just because I refused to let time beat me.

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 Kenny Florian in the following places:

Official Kenny Florian Website:

http://www.kennyflorian.com

Official Kenny Florian MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/kenflo

Kenny Florian on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=8021

Kenny Florian Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=8021@@Kenny%20Florian

Tags: Kenny Florian Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts

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10 Questions With Nick Thompson (by Darrick Patrick)

Nick "The Goat" Thompson is a professional mixed martial artist who has battled in events such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Bodog Fight, World Victory Road, Extreme Challenge, Twin Cities Throwdown, Xtreme Kage Kombat, Absolute Fighting Championships, EFX, Combat Zone, Madtown Throwdown, Freestyle Fighting Championship, Hand 2 Hand Combat, Greatest Common Multiple, Combat, Xtreme Fighting Organization, Ultimate Battleground, and Freestyle Combat Challenge.

Darrick: What was the path that led you to competing professionally in mixed martial arts?

Nick: I wrestled for a couple of years for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, so that was my martial arts background.  I became interested in MMA when I went to go see a friend compete.  It was one of the first dates that I had with my wife and I told her I could do MMA in an attempt to impress her.  I started training the next week.  I don't think she was impressed nor was I any good, but I was hooked.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Nick: Aside from my parents, I think one of the biggest influences was my high school wrestling coach.  He would stay after practice with me every day in order to work new techniques and he would meet me before school to work conditioning.  From him I really learned that the difference between being good and being number one is a willingness to push yourself and sacrifice what others are not.

Darrick: What does a "normal" training session for you consist of?

Nick: An average day for me begins at six in the morning.  I eat a healthy breakfast and then meet my strength and conditioning coach at API (Athletic Performance Institute).  I will either do sport specific strength and conditioning, run a six-minute mile for five minutes, then take a minute break and repeat five times or swim 200 yards, take a minute break, and then repeat five times.  Then, I go to class.

I return in the afternoon and will train either an hour of grappling or an hour of sparring.  After that, I will spend an hour doing technique by either hitting pads, the heavy bag, or going to drill Jiu-Jitsu or wrestling.  Then, I go home and study, go to bed, get up, and repeat.

Darrick: Any words of advice for younger individuals looking to compete in MMA?

Nick: Surround yourself with the most knowledgeable teammates that you can.  You will often pay more to be at a good school, but the difference in price pays for itself.  The days of being able to be a top level mixed martial artist by training in your basement have come and gone.

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

Nick: I get the greatest fulfillment when I know that I have done everything I could in order to prepare for a fight.

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

Nick: There are so many that it is hard to even know where to begin.  Probably the one that sticks out the most is my teammate Sean Sherk.  I have great respect for him because I have seen how hard he pushes himself in training.  He has also kind of taken me under his wing and showed me the proper way to diet and train in order to be a champion.

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

Nick: I don't have time for much else since I am also attending law school.  When I can find the time, I enjoy playing Madden and muskie fishing.

Darrick: If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Nick: My first wish would be to have healthy and happy kids with my wife.  My second wish would be to have the opportunity to fight to be the undisputed world champion.  And my third wish would be that my blind dog could be able to see because he would like that.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Nick: I remember playing laser tag when I was really little.  Actually it wasn't even laser tag - it was Photon, but it was basically the same thing.

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

Nick: Most people don't know that something with mass cannot travel at the speed of light.

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 Nick Thompson in the following places:

Official Nick Thompson Website:

http://www.nickthompson.tv

Official Nick Thompson MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/nickthegoatthompson

Nick Thompson on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=7124

Nick Thompson Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=7124@@Nick%20Thompson

Tags: Nick Thompson Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mixed Martial Arts

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10 Questions With Keith Wisniewski (by Darrick Patrick)

Keith Wisniewski is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in events such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, International Fight League, Undisputed Arena Fighting Championships, Bodog Fight, Freestyle Fighting Championship, Euphoria, Shooto, Xtreme Kage Kombat, Ironheart Crown, Combat, Extreme Challenge, Absolute Fighting Championships, M-1 MFC, Tournament Fighting Championships, United States Mixed Martial Arts, Battle Of New Orleans, HOOKnSHOOT, Silverback Classic, Chicago Challenge, Night Of The Diamonds, Jeet Kune Do Challenge, and Fearless Freestyle Fighting.

Darrick: How did you end up fighting professionally in mixed martial arts?

Keith: My brother and I trained in our front yard.  We were big fans of the sport and wanted to get involved.  We went out to Davenport, Iowa to fight amateur at the first Extreme Challenge Trials.  We've both been involved in the sport every since - I guess it's been a little over ten years now.

Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?

Keith: It varies depending on the day of the week.  I think our Monday and Wednesday workouts are our best.  We do a half hour of wrestling/takedowns with mostly two-minute live goes.  Then, we switch it up and do about thirty minutes of guard passing and ground work.  After that, we switch to live goes from stand-up and go until we burn out.  We try to add a few technical things into the mix.

Darrick: Tell us about the gym that your brother and you own in Hobart, Indiana.

Keith: We bought it last year.  It's a 1,200 square foot story and a half garage.  We have a 20 foot octagon cage, a good section of wrestling mats with padded walls, and a heavy bag area.  We are on a try-out basis, and train every weekday and most weekends.  Anyone interested in checking us out can give me a call at (219) 840-6998 or e-mail me at keithjustinwisniewski@msn.com.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Keith: Definitely both of my older brothers who I'm still very tight with.  My whole family really.

Darrick: What would you say to younger individuals looking to make a career in MMA?

Keith: I think people are better off getting a career in place to fall back on and then pursuing MMA.  I tried to pay the bills on the smaller circuit for awhile and it is very taxing on the body.

Darrick: In your experiences with martial arts, what brings you the most fulfillment?

Keith: Fighting myself, training with and cornering my teammates, and promoting fights are all about equally enjoyable to me.

Darrick: Outside of the sport, what are your other interests?

Keith: Climbing, whitewater rafting, reading, politics, and all sports.

Darrick: What comic book character do you relate to most?

Keith: Groo The Wanderer - only comic book I've ever read.

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

Keith: I'm very interested in law and politics.  I was pre-law in college with a history/political science focus before I got bored with it.  I have strongly libertarian viewpoints.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Keith: 1985 Bears Superbowl victory.  I always wanted to be Steve Fuller (3rd string quarterback).

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 Keith Wisniewski in the following places:

Official Keith Wisniewski MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/keithwisniewski

Keith Wisniewski on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=2095

Keith Wisniewski Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=2095@@Keith%20Wisniewski

Tags: Keith Wisniewski Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Art

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10 Questions With Lana Stefanac (by Darrick Patrick)

"Lethal" Lana Stefanac is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in events such as Smackgirl, Undisputed Arena Fighting Championships, Full Contact Fight Series, and Extreme Wars.  Stefanac is also the 2006 Pan American Games Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gold Medalist and has qualified in Jiu-Jitsu for the 2008 Olympics.

Darrick: Give us some insight into how you got into professional mixed martial arts.

Lana: I started off with a background in a few different martial arts, including Aikido and Kempo.  I was always looking at martial arts to find the "best" one - the most effective and deadly.  I started doing Muay-Thai and then I met Donald Park, a Royler Gracie guy.  I watched Donald systematically tap out an entire class of Thai fighters and MMA fighters.  I was instantly hooked.

I began to train BJJ under Donald (Royler Gracie-David Adiv).  At that time, my little brother also began training and told me about a place close by that was a Relson Gracie school being led by Jeff Starr.  I began to train at both places as much as possible.  After winning a few tournaments, I went professional as a white belt.  A year later, I was a blue belt and won the PanAms with a ton of tournaments already under me.  As a blue belt, I fought my first MMA fight in Oakland, California where I met my current black belt Sergio Silva.  The rest is history.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Lana: My grandparents for their tenacity to survive the most squalor of circumstances and for their undying devotion to one another.  Also, my high school teachers because they gave me hope that I would survive my childhood, which was kind of rough.

Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?

Lana: A lot of technical training, rolling with some sweet black belts, Thai pads, free sparring, and free rolling.

Darrick: Any advice for younger individuals looking to compete in MMA?

Lana: First of all, remember that martial arts are about respect, character, and honor.  It's not about trash talking and ass kicking like the UFC has made it out to be to attract fans interested in soap opera antics and gossip.  We already have pro wrestling, if you want to see a well-acted facade: watch that instead.  Train hard and keep your priorities straight.  Anything can happen and life does not usually follow any sort of plan that we lay out very early.

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

Lana: Coming through the ranks of the belts on the path to becoming a black belt.  Seeing myself and my teammates mature, as well as my students.  Martial arts can and should change your life.

Darrick: Who is someone in the sport that you highly respect?

Lana: I respect a fighter who is humble and will not give up.  Probably one of my favorite fighters is my friend and fellow student (and also a purple belt) Derrick Easterling - he, like me, comes from a rocky past and is trying with all his might to be someone.  Despite what people preconceive of him, he remains steadfast in his endeavors and is a constant reminder for me not to give up.  I absolutely detest nut-swingers (people who ride on someone else's name to be someone), and people who are cocky and arrogant.

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

Lana: I like to write stories about my life and experiences, I like to build things (I was a roofer and carpenter), I love to train with weights and kettlebells, and I love digging for gemsstones and also cutting them.  When I can get to south Florida, one of my most favorite things is snorkeling the reef in Key West.  Sadly, I do not have much time for these things anymore.

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

Lana: I hate violence.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Lana: I remember when I was about two or three, we took a vacation to the Grand Canyon.  What I can remember is my father holding me right on a cliff as I peered over the edge into the endless canyon.  My mother stood far from us and screamed at him to bring me back away from the edge.  I remember thinking that my father was so strong and fearless, and I remember the veins bulging out on his arms and his bicep looked huge when he was holding me.

I had on little white Indian moccasins that we bought from some Native Americans.  I still have one of those little white booties back at home in Ohio hanging from a mirror, it's over thirty years old.

Darrick: How would you most like to be remembered in life?

Lana: The way I remember my father at that moment in the Grand Canyon.  Strong and fearless, regardless of what is trying to call me back to some place safe.

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 Lana Stefanac in the following places:

Official Lana Stefanac MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/lethallana

Official Lana Stefanac YouTube Page:

http://www.youtube.com/user/LethalLana

Lana Stefanac on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=16445

Lana Stefanac Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=16445@@Lana%20Stefanac

Tags: Lana Stefanac Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts

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10 Questions With Art Santore (by Darrick Patrick)

Art "Pachuco" Santore is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in events such as King Of The Cage, World Extreme Cagefighting, Pancrase, MMA Xtreme, World Fighting Alliance, SportFight, California Xtreme Fighting, Total Combat, Freedom Fight, Universal Above Ground Fighting, and Gladiator Challenge.

Darrick: How did you end up fighting professionally in mixed martial arts?

Art: I ended up working out at Millennia Jiu-Jitsu to get back into shape.  After three months of training, I wanted to fight in the cage professionally and I did.

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

Art: My high school wrestling coach, Alexander.

Darrick: What does a "normal" training session for you consist of?

Art: Normal training sessions for me are two hours a day, six days a week at Team Quest.  They have a ton of good talent in there to work with and learn from.  I do training during my own time at home too.  I also teach classes at Team Quest and join in while I teach.

Darrick: Where do you see your career in MMA ten years from now?

Art: Ten years from now I see myself as a coach and a manager.

Darrick: What would you say to younger individuals looking to compete in martial arts?

Art: I would tell younger fighters to stay away from drinking, drugs, late nights, and smoking.  Take care of your body and have some respect for this sport.  If you are going to do this, do it right.  It is also important to stay flexible.

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

Art: A couple of fighters that I respect are Dan Henderson and Matt Lindland.  These guys have mastered wrestling and now the second sport that they have done is professional fighting.

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

Art: I love to spend time with my family, camping, collecting comics, and donating blood.  Yes, donating blood!

Darrick: What comic book character do you relate to most?

Art: I am most like Venom, who fights for good, but has a touch of that menace still in him.

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

Art: Most people do not know that I won The Newlywed Game with my wife twelve years ago and we took a trip to Italy.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Art: Riding my tricycle around my dad's pool in the winter and falling into the bottom.  I got out very quickly and I think I was only three-years-old.  Now that I have my own three kids, I see it as very funny.  My son Johnny is always doing risky things.  What goes around, comes around!

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 Art Santore in the following places:

Official Art Santore MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/artpachucosantore

Art Santore on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=2365

Art Santore Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=2365@@Art%20Santore

Tags: Art Santore Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts

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10 Questions With Ray Perales (by Darrick Patrick)

"Relentless" Ray Perales is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as King Of The Cage, Xtreme Fight Series, International Fighting Championship, SportFight, Valor Fighting, X Fighting Championships, Gladiator Challenge, Millennium Sport Fighting, Night Of The Knockout, and Slam Entertainment.

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

Ray: I've always been a boxer!  I went to a local event and told the promoter that I wanted to fight, and he turned me down.  Another promoter overheard me and gave me the opportunity.

Darrick: Who is an individual in the sport that you highly respect?

Ray: Frank Shamrock!  Time and time again when we cross paths, he is always the same man!

Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?

Ray: It's cardio, mit work, and Jiu-Jitsu in the morning.  I'm off to Boise State to wrestle at 2 p.m., then back to our gym by 5 p.m. for Muay Thai and NHB training. 

Darrick: Any advice for younger individuals looking to compete in martial arts?

Ray: Promoters are snakes!

Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of MMA?

Ray: Proving everyone wrong!

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Ray: Mostly family members.

Darrick: Outside of mixed martial arts, what are your other interests?

Ray: Ah...it's a lifestyle!

Darrick: If you were invisible for 24 hours, how would you spend that time?

Ray: I have to think about this one.  Invisible for 24 hours...

Damn, I would have to say I'd spend that time at the Playboy Mansion.

What really goes on there?

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

Ray: I'm a well-educated business man.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Ray: Wrestling WWF-style on my neighbor's trampoline.

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 Ray Perales in the following places:

Official Ray Perales MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/relentlessray

Ray Perales on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=2588

Ray Perales Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=2588@@Ray%20Perales

Tags: Ray Perales Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts

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10 Questions With Tristan Yunker (by Darrick Patrick)

Tristan Yunker is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in events such as King Of The Cage, HDNet Fights, Cage Fighting Championships, International Fighting Organization, Legends Of Fighting, Total Fight Challenge, Full Contact Fight Series, Ironheart Crown, Freestyle Combat Challenge, Diesel Fighting Championships, Extreme Combat Challenge, Cage Of Fire, Shootfighting Challenge, Xtreme Fighting Organization, and Courage Fighting Championships.

Darrick: What was the path that you took to fighting professionally in mixed martial arts?

Tristan: Basically, growing up in the Midwest, the only real choices I had for athletics were basketball, football, or wrestling.  From the first time I stepped on the wrestling mat, I was hooked on the adrenaline of one-on-one combat competitions.  It was only natural that after high school I would pursue an opportunity in mixed martial arts.  So, I took my first fight on a week's notice and haven't looked back since.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Tristan: My high school wrestling coaches actually had a huge impact on my life at the time.  One of them specifically was more like a father to me than a coach.

Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?

Tristan: Warm up, conditioning, drill, live grappling, and sparring.  If I'm feeling good, I'll do some sprints at the end.

Darrick: Any advice for younger individuals looking to compete in martial arts?

Tristan: Don't let early disappointments detract you from your goals.  It's a long road, especially in a sport that is still somewhat struggling to gain mainstream popularity.  I know it sounds cliche, but keep your eyes on the prize.

Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of MMA?

Tristan: Getting my hand raised in victory in front of a packed house.

Darrick: Who is an individual in the sport that you highly respect? 

Tristan: B.J. Penn is definitely one of my favorite competitors, the guy has the total package.  It's really unfortunate that someday I might have to beat him up since I'm headed back down to 155.

That last part was a joke.

Darrick: Outside of mixed martial arts, what are your other interests?

Tristan: Stand-up comedy is something that I really enjoy, although I haven't had a lot of time to work on my act recently.  Also, I'm a huge fan of technology - I've worked as a computer tech for the past three years, so I'm always in on the latest gadgets.  And finally, outside of competing in MMA, I also really enjoy dealing with the business side of the sport such as promoting, managing, etc.

Darrick: What comic book character do you relate to most?

Tristan: Well, I don't know if there is such a character as "AWESOME-Man", but I'm pretty sure that if there were, his stories would be based on me!

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

Tristan: Umm, honestly, I'm a huge fan of American Idol.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Tristan: Oddly enough, my oldest memory is actually of attending a performance of Sesame Street Live when I was about three years old living in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Random, I know.

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 Tristan Yunker in the following places:

Official Tristan Yunker MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/nef_rizzle

Tristan Yunker on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=15060

Tristan Yunker Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=15060@@Tristan%20Yunker

Tags: Tristan Yunker Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts

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10 Questions With Nick Roscorla (by Darrick Patrick)

Nick Roscorla is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as King Of The Cage, Freestyle Fighting Championships, Rage In The Cage, Aztec Challenge, and Reality Fighting Championships.

Darrick: What was the path that led you to fighting professionally in mixed martial arts?

Nick: I started training when I was about twenty.  I was involved with drugs when I was younger and partied way too much.  I straightened myself out and wanted to keep it that way, so I found a local guy named Bill Sharp who taught Judo.  I knew if I was going to stay straight, I would have to keep myself busy with something else and Judo sounded perfect because I wrestled a bit in high school and loved it.

From Mr. Sharp's training, I moved on to Lovato's Jiu-Jitsu here in Oklahoma City.  Lovato's was great because they not only trained in Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling, but had boxing and kickboxing classes as well.  I'd been there for about two years, training four to five days a week and had earned my Blue belt, when a couple of other guys expressed an interest in competing in Vale-Tudo.  Mr. Lovato asked anyone who wanted to compete to sign up for the Vale-Tudo team and I did.  We started out with about fifteen people, and that got weeded down to myself and two other guys.  That's pretty much how I got started.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Nick: I really didn't have any positive influences.  I'd say my parents were my greatest influences - I wanted to be the exact opposite of them.

Darrick: What would you say to younger individuals looking to compete in martial arts?

Nick: Youth is one of the greatest tools that you have.  You really are capable of doing almost anything that you want to.  If you want to compete in MMA, boxing, kickboxing, or whatever - give it everything you have to give and do it.  I never became famous or rich from fighting (hell, I usually lost money traveling to competitions), but I would do it again in a second.  It was a time I will not forget.

Just do yourself a favor and do everything that you can to accomplish whatever goals you have set for yourself.  The worst feeling that you'll ever have is looking back at what you "could have done" if you'd just given it a little more effort, and then realizing that you won't ever have that opportunity again.

Darrick: As best as possible, try to describe the feeling of winning a match.

Nick: Aside from seeing my son for the first time, it's one of the best feelings that I've ever had.  You train so hard and sacrifice so much, and when you win, you know that it wasn't all for nothing.  It's amazing.

Darrick: On the other hand, what are some of the thoughts that run through your head after a loss?

Nick: It varies - sometimes you fight a great fight and just get caught, and it's like, "I'll get 'em next time".  However, sometimes you just feel low: like you're a complete disappointment to everyone.  It's an emotional sport.

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

Nick: Obviously, Randy Couture comes to mind.  Being in his mid-forties and having his work ethic is just amazing, the guy's a freak of nature.  I'm a huge B.J. Penn fan.  I know a lot of people don't care for him, but in my opinion (just my opinion), he's the most well-rounded fighter and probably pound for pound the best fighter around.

I like Fedor also.  People knock him for not fighting more top competition, but I think the guy just goes to where the most money is.  He's said many times that he only fights to provide the best possible life for his family that he can and that if it weren't for them, he probably wouldn't ever compete.

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

Nick: Honestly, these days I'm all about work.  I've gotten greedy in my old age and kids aren't cheap.  I'm pretty content to get together with my buddies and watch a good UFC while having a couple of beers.  I haven't been training much lately, but I'm getting back in the gym as soon as possible and that's always a great way to blow off steam.

Darrick: If you were stuck in the middle of an ocean with only three items, what would they be?

Nick: Considering how seasick I get, I wouldn't need three.  Only two, and they would be a gun and one bullet.

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

Nick: I have an uncontrollable fear of ALF.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Nick: It had to be sometime before I was four, because my dad left around that time.  The memory is of my dad laying on the couch and there's blood everywhere, and he's making these weird noises.  My mom's sitting on the couch near his head with a towel, which is also covered in blood, and she tells me that dad fell off the roof of the house.  I found out when I was older that he got the shit kicked out of him by a group of guys at a bar.  Ah, memories.

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 Nick Roscorla in the following places:

Official Nick Roscorla MySpace Site:

http://www.myspace.com/roscorla1

Nick Roscorla On Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=2953

Tags: Nick Roscorla Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts

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10 Questions With Chris Ruyle (by Darrick Patrick)

Chris Ruyle is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in the King Of The Cage organization, competing in events such as Mangler and The Return.

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

Chris: A mixture of the way I grew up and what influenced me.  I grew up a bit rough, so that developed my natural scrap and determination.  For one reason or another I'm really competitive and I wasn't too much into team sports.  Also, as funny as it sounds, probably watching Van Damme and Bruce Lee movies with my cousin when I was little!

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Chris: My mom - she was one of the only people around.  She led by example and raised me to be a good, honest, open, and caring person.  Other than that, I didn't have very many people around me until we moved back down to southern California.

Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?

Chris: For a fight - in the morning: 1 hour and 30 minutes with the jump rope, bag work (speed, heavy, double end), shadowbox/sprawls, and then followed by a run.  At night: 1 hour and 30 minutes of Muay Thai/boxing followed by 1 hour and 30 minutes of BJJ/wrestling with 15-20 minutes of live rounds - no outs for fighters.

Darrick: Where could you possibly see the future of MMA ten years from now?

Chris: Hopefully well-established and respected as the top sport in the world as it should be.  I just hope it doesn't become a big spectacle and popularity contest with better fighters being underrated (more so than now) for not having "the look" or not having the "on-camera savvy" of others.  It's going to depend on the fans, they are the consumer, so the promoters will cater to what the fans will buy the most of and hopefully that is the better side of what MMA has to offer.

Darrick: What would you say to younger individuals looking to compete in martial arts?

Chris: Get in it for the right reasons - because it is something you truly want to test yourself with and compete in.  It takes a ton of heart, courage, and determination.  If you're lacking any of these qualities, I suggest you do something else.  Finding a good school is really important, but it's up to you to train hard.  I have a main camp that I run with, but I bounce around too.

I meet a lot of younger guys that want to (or are supposed to) compete in MMA, but they don't last in the sparring or rolling sessions.  You have to get in fight shape: if you huff and puff after three minutes of sparring and takedowns, it's illogical to expect to last five rounds!  Learn new techniques continuously, sharpen and expand your old tools, and get in shape.  Being in shape to fight is a 24-hour job, it's comprised of everything: workouts, stretching, training, eating what you should be eating, drinking water, and down time.

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

Chris: Jens Pulver - I've been watching him fight for years.  He has some losses in big fights, but he's fought the top guys at higher weight classes.  He's a natural 145 and he holds his own against guys who are a natural 180.  Jens has more than earned his stripes and he doesn't get half the credit that he deserves.

Who else but Randy Couture?  He brings everything to the game, and he's respectful and classy to top it off.  He's an excellent ambassador for MMA and the sport is lucky to have someone like him at the forefront!

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

Chris: Sport compacts, super sport bikes, and MotoGP.  Always have to have a reptile or two, arts and music, and Xbox Live (gamer tag: TingOfNongPradu - if you wanna' play).  I'm getting into digital photography and set to start school again next semester.  I've just started to branch out into other hobbies and interests because MMA takes up a lot of time, and for the last five or six years it's all I cared to put my time into.

Darrick: If you had a working time machine, what are some of the points in history that you would visit?

Chris: I'd go back to the day that I lost one of my best of the best and prevent what happened.  Aside from that, I would only care to see the future: like eighty years from now and up, to see the things I won't see and see what advances are made.

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

Chris: I dress in drag and moonlight as a local lounge singer/prostitute.  Just kidding - I don't know, I'm pretty open about myself.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Chris: Answering question nine - I'm like a gold fish!  Really, I'd say living in a trailor in northern California, looking across the ways at the people's yard decorations and wishing that toothpaste was candy.

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 Chris Ruyle in the following places:

Official Chris Ruyle MySpace Site:

http://www.myspace.com/89894822

Chris Ruyle On Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=16516

Tags: Chris Ruyle Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts

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