First of all, thank you for the interview. Could you tell us a little about how you got started in mixed martial arts?
I'll give you the whole story: I started Karate when I was 8 years old. My mom said that if I used it on my little brother she would take me out of class. I lasted about a week. When I was fifteen my mom made me watch Enter the Dragon and I began to idolize Bruce Lee. I asked one of my classmates and he told me that Bruce Lee practiced Kung Fu so I found a school near my house and began training. I would show up 2 hours early for class - I think the instructors didn't like that. After a break from martial arts I found Ray Longo's International Martial Arts Academy when I was about 20. Ray is a promoter as well as a trainer so he got me my first amateur kickboxing bout after a couple of years of dedicated training. I eventually began sparring with Matt Serra and studying under him at his school. I had my first pro-MMA fight as a last minute replacement in Ring of Combat, Ray and Lou Neglia's promotion. After a few fights I sent in an application for TUF season 2 and the rest you probably know.
What was the biggest challenge in your fighting career so far?
I remember that during my last loss I thought to myself "I don't want to do this anymore". I told my then girlfriend (now wife) the same thing after the fight. I discovered after that my diet was affecting my mental state so much more than I knew. Even though I was very health-conscious, there is always more to learn. Since then I have discovered the most powerful new insight called Life food and nutritional fasting and I have never felt better. I feel like now I am fighting for a real reason rather than just money (even though that is motivating). I want to get the word out about this lifestyle and its benefits for people and the environment. The love of competing and martial arts has been reignited and I won't be stopped.
What is your ultimate goal in MMA?
I feel that since I am eating the best diet I will become the best fighter. That might seem like a daunting task so I will take it one fight at a time. My next fight is as always the most important and that is all I think about. When I retire from fighting I will have saved enough money to buy a farm and/or greenhouse to grow all my own food and support my family. I also am in pre-production for an MMA-inspired clothing line.
Can you tell us someting about you that most people don't know?
I have 4 boxes of super-poseable action figures in my basement and I am looking forward to playing with them with my children someday. When I was young my parents would put me in the front yard on a nice day and I would spend hours playing with G.I.Joes.
I heard that you are a fan of comic books, witch comics do you like most?
Currently I am reading The Walking Dead and Y: the Last Man. I am a fan of all of Alan Moore's work, Frank Miller, Hellboy, and AKIRA. I am kind of a mainstream comic fan i.e. I don't really know alot of books. I usually get trade paperbacks.
From all the years of watching TV after school I have developed an impatience about me that is less than zen-like. So I constantly switch up my training so as not to get bored. Generally if I have a session with my strength and conditioning coach I won't work out for the rest of the day. If I do it will be something low impact like swimming or the sauna. Otherwise I do the normal training to develop my fighting skills: kickboxing, jiujitsu, cardio & calisthenics, running, etc.
It felt good to win and the crowd was amazing even though I was the first fight of the night; it was a great feeling to have the people support me.
Talk us through the fight…
Everything pretty much went according to plan. I had a feeling I would have the more refined striking ability even though he is very tough. I didn't want to give him any opportunities to get an advantage. I saw that the extreme weight loss affected him negatively and I told my trainer in between rounds: "He's done".
Let's talk about your next fight at UFC: Ultimate Fight Night 11 against Edilberto Crocota, what do you know about him? What are his strengths and weaknesses?
I know that he trains with some excellent fighters like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Anderson Silva. He appears to have a well-rounded skill set and is in great shape so I am expecting a tough fight.
How long do you already prepare yourself for the fight against Crocota and how is training going on?
I took a few too many weeks off after my last fight but I have been consistently training since about 12 weeks from Sept. 19. I am ready to fight next week if need be. Now I am just refining my techniques specific to Crocata and staying injury-free.
How would you describe your current condition?
Its amazing that the Lifefood diet and nutritional fasting has enabled me to walk around at my fighting weight. In fact at fight time I might be so light that people will want to bet on the other guy.
Who are your training partners for the fight?
There are so many great training brothers in the Serra-Longo team, its more like a family. We have guys who are excellent jiu-jitsu players and want to get into MMA and kickboxers looking to do the same. Everyone helps each other grow and there are guys lighter than me who make me faster and bigger guys who make me stronger.
Without telling to much, what will be your strategy for the fight?
Against Crocata I am going to be a hurricane. He and the fans had better hold on tight.
In the main event of the show Din Thomas will face Kenny Florian, what's your prediction for the fight?
I am very bad at predictions. I think that Florian will use his Muay Thai and look out for Din's long punches and on the ground we will see some excellent technique. The lightweights are the best fights in the UFC.
Finally, do you have a message for your fans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland?
I want to tell everyone across the globe about the importance of "Voting With Your Dollar". Whether or not we realize, there are people in the highest positions of power that have intentions not necessarily benefiting the entire human race and this beautiful planet we inhabit. If you care about the condition of the Earth, realize that you ultimately have the power to control your destiny. You can do this by voting in the art of how you live your life. Don't support the industries that are destroying the environment. Be like Neo and take the Red Pill. I love you all. Lifefood for a sustainable future.
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Flashing Blade)
