Darrick Patrick

10 Questions With George Bush (by Darrick Patrick)

George Bush is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Gracie Fighting Championships, YAMMA Pit Fighting, Gracie Proving Ground, and Hammer House Cage Fighting events such as Friday 13th, Thanksgiving Throwdown 2, and Redemption.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Abongo Humphrey in Strikeforce at ShoMMA 7: Johnson vs. Mahe on March 26th, 2010.

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

George: I grew up with a cable scrambler, so I've been watching the UFC events since the very beginning.  I have been looking for my place in the sport ever since.

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

George: Be humble.  There is always someone out there that can and will beat your ass.

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

George: Mark Coleman has taken me under his wing and always has been there to help me improve my game.  Brian Van De Walle made me a man as far as the cage is concerned.  B.J. Penn is the nicest, most down-to-earth fighter I have met so far.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Abongo Humphrey on March 26th.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

George: I'm very excited to step back into the cage.  It's been almost two years since my last match and I am ready to show the world what my trainers and I have been working on.  Abongo looks pretty tough and I don't anticipate an easy fight.  From what I can tell, this is going to be a fun one to watch.

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

George: I like martial arts because I have the chance to test myself every day and improve upon my skills.  Just like how a farmer works their land and finds different ways to improve production, I get to do so on a different level and find the best ways to train my body to be a fighting machine.

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

George: Everybody that ever said that I couldn't make it.  I will keep the names to myself, but I'd like to thank them for the motivation.

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

George: Hunting and working on my cabin in the mountains.  Anything outdoors does me just fine.

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

George: I think little kids are awesome.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

George: When I was three years old, my mom hit two deer within two days.  Both were messy.

Darrick: If you were stuck in a bomb shelter for the rest of your life, what three items would you take in with you besides food and water?

George: I hate being indoors, so if I was alone I would take in a bottle of Patrón, my 1911, and one Hydra-Shok bullet.  If there were other people in the bomb shelter with me, it would be chaos.  I would take in a bottle of Patrón, my 1911, and a case of Hydra-Shok bullets.

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 George Bush in the following places:

Official George Bush MySpace Page:

http://www.myspace.com/bushg3

Official George Bush Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/George-W-Bush-III/1329621904

George Bush on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/George-Bush-13683

George Bush Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/13683

10 Questions With Miesha Tate (by Darrick Patrick)

Miesha "Takedown" Tate is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Strikeforce, Freestyle Cage Fighting, HOOKnSHOOT, CageSport, and Atlas Fights.  At the time of this interview, her next scheduled match is against Zoila Frausto in Strikeforce at ShoMMA 7: Johnson vs. Mahe on March 26th, 2010.

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

Miesha: I wrestled in high school on the guy's team and I found MMA through a club sport at Central Washington University which I never would have tried if it hadn't been for my wrestling background.  Then it was just a snowball effect, I was fighting in no time.

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

Miesha: My parents and my grandma.  We have a lot of strong women in our family that are good role models and people I have always looked up to as well.

Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to train in MMA?

Miesha: Make sure you're ready and have people backing you that you can trust.  Also, don't be too hasty.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Zoila Frausto on March 26th.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Miesha: I'm very excited for this fight!  I think Zoila is a strong fighter and she's got good kickboxing, but I think I have better skills than her overall and that's going to show when we fight.  She doesn't have enough time to train to be ready for me.

Darrick: Are there any extra struggles being a female in mixed martial arts or do you believe it to be basically the same difficulty for both genders?

Miesha: The only extra struggles being a female within MMA is being accepted.  It's a longer hill to climb as a female in the sport but there are plenty of people backing us, so we just have to stick together and focus on the positive.

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

Miesha: The competition, I love competing against other top females.  It's very exhilarating and I always feel like I learn something which in turn makes me a stronger, better person in the end.

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

Miesha: I like cooking and love baking!  I enjoy watching movies too and I love camping.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Miesha: I remember my first cat, Cotton.  I picked her out when I was two years old.  I was so mean to that poor cat, but not on purpose though.  She was my best friend and I'd carry her around by her head!  She loved me though.  (Laughs)

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

Miesha: I like to bake and decorate cakes.  I actually sell them on the side.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Miesha: I just want to be remembered as a good person who touched and inspired a lot of lives.

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 Miesha Tate in the following places:

Official Miesha Tate Website:

http://www.takedowntate.com

Official Miesha Tate MySpace Page:

http://www.myspace.com/1tkdwn

Official Miesha Tate Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Miesha-Tate/39205938

Official Miesha Tate Twitter Area:

http://twitter.com/mieshatate

Miesha Tate on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Miesha-Tate-26252

Miesha Tate Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/26252

10 Questions With Luke Rockhold (by Darrick Patrick)

Luke Rockhold is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in the Melee On The Mountain organization and at Strikeforce events such as Young Guns 2, Destruction, Challengers 2, Challengers 4, and Shamrock vs. Diaz.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Paul Bradley in Strikeforce at ShoMMA 6: Prangley vs. Amoussou on February 26th, 2010.

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

Luke: I grew up getting my ass kicked by my older brothers and friends.  Finding martial arts as a way to protect myself, I started competing in Judo between the ages of six to ten years old.  I then found wrestling in the seventh grade and started to whoop some ass!  I continued with wrestling through high school, eventually making it to the California State Championships.  Around my junior year of high school I started Jiu-Jitsu and found that it was much more appealing to my style.

Not being a quitter, I finished wrestling through high school and then switched to Jiu-Jitsu.  I realized how good I was getting at it combined with the fact that I was a pretty good street fighter, so I decided to test my skills.  I heard of AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) through some friends and eventually came over to see how I could do against the pros.  I did good and they asked me to come back, so now here I am.

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

Luke: Jon Fitch and Herschel Walker - I like how these guys carry themselves.  They haven't changed much with all the fame and fortune.  They're smart, humble, cool, and driven.

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

Luke: Get with a good team, you're only as good as your training partners.  Also, don't quit your day job.

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

Luke: Paul is a tough wrestler, very powerful and persistent.  I feel as if I'm a better all-around fighter though and will come out on top in the end.

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

Luke: Not having to live the nine to five!  I also love the rush and the feeling you get after achieving a goal.

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

Luke: My family and friends, for all the right and the wrong reasons.

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

Luke: I like to surf, golf, travel, and party.  I also enjoy hunting - for girls, that is.

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

Luke: I'll whoop your ass at ping pong.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Luke: I was about three years old on vacation with my family in Hawaii.  I was on my dad's shoulders in the surf break.  He turned towards the land when a freak set came and knocked me off his shoulders.  I just remember being hit by the wave, then a big blur and I couldn't breath until these big hands grabbed me, pulling me towards the light.  My dad tells the story like it was the scariest moment of his life.  I guess he couldn't find me for a while.

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

Luke: Surf and masturbate.  Then I'd probably find a goat or something after I went crazy.

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 Luke Rockhold in the following places:

Official Luke Rockhold Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Luke-Rockhold/1170165032

Official Luke Rockhold Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/rockholdmma

Luke Rockhold on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Luke-Rockhold-23345

Luke Rockhold Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/23345

10 Questions With Paul Bradley (by Darrick Patrick)

Paul "The Gentleman" Bradley is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Strikeforce, Ultimate Cage Fighting Challenge, Respect Is Earned, World Cagefighting Alliance, Ring Of Combat, North American Allied Fight Series, Evening In The Cage, Destiny Fight, Masters Of The Cage, Title Fighting Championships, and Legends Of Fighting.  He also appeared on the seventh season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Luke Rockhold in Strikeforce at ShoMMA 6: Prangley vs. Amoussou on February 26th, 2010.

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

Paul: Basically I was wrestling in college and began to follow MMA.  After my wrestling season was over in the spring of my senior year, I began commuting the forty miles one-way over to the Quad Cities to the Miletich Camp twice a week just to mess around.  That's kind of how it all began.

Darrick: In your experience so far, what brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?

Paul: I would say just putting in the hard work day in and day out.  For some reason I enjoy coming home sore and getting up the next day to do it all over again.  It's the days when I'm not feeling beat up that I feel a bit out of place.  It's also fulfilling to just do something that I love and not have to be sitting behind a desk eight hours a day.

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

Paul: Luke is a tough opponent with a lot of height and reach.  I plan on getting inside and not leaving a lot of space where he can use his range to his advantage.  I also intend on using my wrestling as well to keep him off balance while on our feet.

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

Paul: Start slow and make sure to put extra work into your weaknesses.  The bottom line is that you have to be well-rounded in this day and age.

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

Paul: Sean Sherk is definitely one of them.  We have similar body builds and styles - he has always been one of the fighters that I have tried to emulate since I first got into this sport.  I also have a lot of respect for Tito Ortiz for voicing fighter's rights and concerns in the earlier days of the sport.

Darrick: Where could you possibly see the future of mixed martial arts ten years from now?

Paul: Mixed martial arts in ten years will be huge.  It is already growing very rapidly and with more people becoming involved in the sport combined with the new fans and spectators, I see it becoming one of the biggest sports in the world.

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

Paul: I enjoy hanging out with my girlfriend Carrie, our cat and dog - Frostie and Ice, and basically just training outside of that.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Paul: The earliest memories I probably have as a kid are of going to all the youth wrestling tournaments that I went to throughout the years.

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

Paul: I am missing my front tooth from a wrestling accident that happened when I was fifteen years old.  I have a partial which I can slip in and out, so when I'm fighting I do not have a front tooth.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Paul: I would like to be remembered as a guy who went out to put on exciting fights and put it all on the line.

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 Paul Bradley in the following places:

Official Paul Bradley MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/paulbradley185

Official Paul Bradley Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#!/profile.php?id=14810309&ref=ts

Paul Bradley on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Paul-Bradley-19726

Paul Bradley Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/19726

10 Questions With Hayder Hassan (by Darrick Patrick)

Hayder "Hulk" Hassan is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as King Of The Cage, Xtreme Fighting Championships, and Raging Wolf.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Ryan Keenan in Strikeforce at Strikeforce: Miami on January 30th, 2010.

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

Hayder: Well, I started my training at American Top Team with the desire to get in good shape and learn some new skills.  I had a wrestling background from high school so I always knew that I could fall back on that.  After six months of training that consisted of boxing, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu classes, I started training in the mornings during the pro workouts.  I grew to love the workouts and I excelled quickly.  Soon after I had my first professional fight and won with a nine-second knockout.

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

Hayder: I have a lot of respect for my teammates and my coaches.  I have been fortunate enough to begin my training at American Top Team.  The level of fighters at our camp is first-class.  You are forced to improve and get better or get beat up.  I have tons of love and respect for my coaches Master Laborio, Conan, my striking coaches Katel and Howard Davis, and finally my conditioning coach.  They put countless hours in to make sure that you are ready for your fight.  They truly care about you and want to see you succeed.  I'm grateful to have them in my corner.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Ryan Keenan on January 30th.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Hayder: I'm very excited that Strikeforce has given me this opportunity to showcase my talents and skills.  I know Ryan Keenan is a tough opponent and I look forward to stepping in the cage on the 30th and seeing who comes up on top.  I have been training very hard for this fight, so I'm very confident in my abilities to get in there and handle business.  All the hard work is done.  Now it's time for the fun part and that is to fight.  I'm going to hold nothing back for this one.

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

Hayder: What makes me happy is the journey that one goes through as they prepare for a fight.  I think it's a very spiritual experience and with every fight you grow as an individual and as a man.  You learn so much about who you are.  The dedication and sacrifice you have to put into the sport is also something that I enjoy.  Not many people get to say that they love their job.  Many people wake up in the morning and dread going to work.  I wake up every morning with a smile on my face knowing that this is what makes me happy and that there is nothing in the world that I would rather do.

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

Hayder: My advice for others is to stay dedicated and no matter what happens in a fight, stay positive and learn from the experience.  I unfortunately lost my last fight.  It was the first loss of my career.  After looking back at that loss, I now know that it was the best thing to ever happen to me.  When you win, you are happy and confident.  When you lose though, you analyze everything that you did right and everything you did wrong.  Since that loss I have become ten times a better fighter.  I am much more technical and a patient fighter.  This is going to help me towards future victories.

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

Hayder: My family is a big influence on me.  My parents especially.  They have always loved and supported me throughout my life.  Now that I have chosen MMA to be my career, I want to show them that I have what it takes to one day be one of the best fighters in the world.

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

Hayder: When I am not training I really enjoy relaxing with my family, hanging out with friends, and going to the beach.  Anytime you have a break from training it's good to unwind and let your mind be free of all the stresses that come along with training.  I love to go to dinner, watch movies, and eat carrot cake.  My favorite!

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

Hayder: I would spend all of that time with my friends and family.  I know they would make me happy and bring a smile to my face even if I had a short time to go.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Hayder: One of my oldest memories is when my dad used to take me to the hospital with him and let me sit next to the surgeon and watch operations.  Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to become a doctor like my dad.  I remember my dad taking me with him and he would dress me up in the doctor's clothing and I would sit there watching people get cut open and fixed up.  Growing up I always thought my dad had the coolest job in the world.  Now I think that I have the coolest job in the world.

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

Hayder: Something that most people don't know is that I'm a clean freak.  I like everything a certain way.  I might even be a little OCD.  When I put things in the fridge, they have to be in the right spot.  If I see something out of place, I fix it right away.  I hate mess.  I like when things are clean and neat.

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 Hayder Hassan in the following places:

Official Hayder Hassan Website:

http://www.hassanmma.com/HassanMMA.com/HASSANMMA.COM.html

Official Hayder Hassan MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/373538977

Official Hayder Hassan Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Hayder-Hassan/5223501

Hassan MMA Facebook Area:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/HassanMMA/60317681318

Hayder Hassan on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Hayder-Hassan-46033

10 Questions With Douglas Frey (by Darrick Patrick)

Douglas Frey is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Shark Fights, Louisiana Fighting Championship, Xtreme Knockout, and Supreme Warrior Championship.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Jared Lopez in Shark Fights at SF 8 on February 5th, 2010.

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

Douglas: It began for me in high school around 1997, when only open-palm (Pankration) fighting was allowed in Texas.  Ali Elias, who was a high school wrestling coach and former USWF middleweight champ, began showing me and my good friend Marcus "Money" Sursa simple armbars and triangles.  From then on, I was attending every USWF fight that was in Amarillo, Texas.  I can remember watching Ali Elias, Evan Tanner, Heath Herring, and Paul Buentello fight and thinking to myself how badass they were and that if I was trained in the arts, then I too could be fighting in front of thousands of people.

Darrick: Your next scheduled bout is a rematch against Jared Lopez on February 5th.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Douglas: I know Jared is training hard for me since I've beat him once already and that's all the motivation that I need to push myself to the next level.  I respect Jared, but I only see the fight going one way...with my arm raised at the end of it.

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

Douglas: I really respect the way that Fedor trains and fights.  He keeps it old school, trains with tattered equipment, old weights, old mats, has a steep hill to run, a sledgehammer and a tire, and a mess hall that serves meat and potatoes.  He also trains side-by-side with all of the members at the Red Devil, whether they be advanced or novice - even kids.  It speaks volumes about his character.

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

Douglas: It takes a certain type of person to be a professional fighter.  There are a few things that have to be in order before one can make the big step to being a pro.  First is the mindset and the heart.  Without these being under the individual's control, they will only set themselves up for failure.  The second thing is the diet.  We are high-level athletes, so our intake has to be closely monitored.  You absolutely cannot expect to rise in the sport eating cheeseburgers and drinking sodas.  The last bit of advice I have is to make sure that you have the time to train, consistently, and on a everyday basis - two to three times a day.

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

Douglas: Knowing that I left everything in the cage.  Win or lose.

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

Douglas: My mother.  She raised my brother and I on a very small income.  She taught us the importance of respect, how to pay attention to details, and how to eat correctly (nutrition-wise).

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

Douglas: I'm a homebody, I love kicking it at home with my lady and my pit bulls.  I still play soccer and have ever since I was seven.  I also love being outdoors, hiking, and traveling - and even the occasional beer or wine just does me right sometimes.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Douglas: Being at the San Diego Zoo when I was three years old, listening to the lions roar and feeling it in my chest.

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

Douglas: I'm allergic to cats.

Darrick: If you had superpowers, what would they be?

Douglas: If it was just one power, then it would be to fly and be able to control it at any speed.  Probably because I'm somewhat of an adrenaline junkie.  If I could have several though - then it would have to be every power that Superman has, down to the x-ray vision.

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 Douglas Frey in the following places:

Official Douglas Frey MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/kyczar8

Douglas Frey on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Doug-Frey-40250

10 Questions With Marloes Coenen (by Darrick Patrick)

Marloes "Rumina" Coenen is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Strikeforce, M-1 Global, Beast Of The East, Ultimate Glory, K.O. Events, Shooto, K-GRACE, Smackgirl, Jd', ReMix, and Ladies Legends Pro Wrestling.  At the time of this interview, her next scheduled match is a title attempt against current lightweight women's champion Cristiane "Cris Cyborg" Santos in Strikeforce at Strikeforce: Miami on January 30th, 2010.

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

Marloes: I originally played tennis and volleyball at a young age.  I had to learn how to defend myself though because I had to go to school by a bike through the woods.  The only thing nearby was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (the Karate school only did Kata).  That was with Martijn de Jong who is still my current trainer.  He became a MMA fighter and the head of Shooto Europe.  At his first amateur event, I had my first Shooto fight.  I was eighteen years old.

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

Marloes: Yes, especially for the women.  Just do it.  Find a relaxed instructor and set a goal that you will work out for at least two months.  After the two months you can make an evaluation as to whether you want to continue or not, but do not quit before the two months are over.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Cristiane "Cris Cyborg" Santos on January 30th.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Marloes: This is a big chance given to me by Scott Coker.  Winning this fight would essentially make me the best female fighter in the world.  To me though it is more the challenge of fighting a fighter like Cristiane that is most motivating for me.  If it was at a small event and not for the title, I would still be just as enthusiastic.

Darrick: Do you feel as if there are any extra hurdles being a female in mixed martial arts or do you believe it to be basically the same struggle for both genders?

Marloes: It depends on what your goals are.  If it's just to train and burn some calories while working on your fighting skills, then there should be no problems for women (if you have found a nice gym).  However, if it is your goal to become a professional athlete than it is a different story.  First of all, there were not that many girls doing mixed martial arts for a long time.  In the Netherlands, there still aren't a lot of girls doing MMA.  That doesn't help for pushing the level of skills up.

Secondly, there are the people who think women should not fight.  They will not appreciate it, won't go to the events, and the promoter will be forced to not have a female fight on the card.  To people who have that opinion, I would like to say that they should remember that MMA is a sport.  And we are athletes.  Just as a girl can play tennis, she can do MMA.  Thanks to Scott Coker (who is a martial artist himself) and the popularity of Gina Carano, it's finally happening for women in MMA right now.

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

Marloes: Fedor!  I do not need to explain that.  (Smiles)  Rumina Sato for his mentality and fantastic fights in Shooto.  Georges St-Pierre, whom I doubt is a human being or not.  Megumi Fujii is a fantastic fighter.  Ramon Dekkers is a retired Muay Thai fighter and you have to check out his highlights.  An unknown fighter who I really like is Vincent Latoel because of his speed and aggression.  Oh, and I cannot forget Jason Miller.  I think his nickname should be "The Entertainer" instead of "Mayhem".

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

Marloes: Being healthy and having a goal in life.

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

Marloes: I read a lot, from low culture gossip to high culture non-fiction.  I have to be honest though too, I'm superficial.  So, I also like shopping...and food.  I like to eat!  (Laughs)

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

Marloes: My cat's name is Rumina (Sato).  The cat isn't too smart though, so it's kind of a mismatch.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Marloes: I think it was my father teaching me how to ride a bike at the age of three.  I live in Amsterdam, there are more bikes than people in this town.

Darrick: If you were stuck in a bomb shelter for the rest of your life, what three items would you take in with you besides food and water?

Marloes: Make-up.  Lots of it.  Also, all of the Hayao Miyazaki movies and a nice looking man.  (Smiles)

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 Marloes Coenen in the following places:

Official Marloes Coenen Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/marloes.coenen

Marloes Coenen on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Marloes-Coenen-4232

Marloes Coenen Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/4232

10 Questions With Shane Primm (by Darrick Patrick)

Shane Primm is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Warrior MMA, Art Of Fighting, Music City MMA, and World Fighting Championships.  He also appeared on the eighth season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Luigi Fioravanti in Raging Wolf Productions at Raging Wolf 6: Mayhem in the Mist on January 23rd, 2010.

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

Shane: For me, I had never even heard of MMA until six years ago.  My entire life I had planned on going to the military.  I wanted to be a Navy SEAL ever since I was sixteen years old and was planning on enlisting.  I found out I would need eye surgery to qualify so while I was waiting to turn twenty-one, I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  From there it turned into a passion.

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

Shane: There are tons of people that I really respect in the sport, but Anderson Silva is at the top of the list.  I just like how he fights, and I like finishers.  I try to mimic a significant amount of my game after him.  Also, GSP for how sick his wrestling is as well, despite never wrestling in school.  That is very impressive.  Big Nog is my boy though and I can't go without mentioning him.  He is the nicest guy around and an incredible champion.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Luigi Fioravanti on January 23rd.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Shane: This fight is going to be tough for sure.  Honestly, I'm at the point now where I just love the fight itself - especially against tough guys.  I didn't really make the name for myself I wanted to at 205 pounds, but 185 is my division.  This year I'm going to solidify myself in people's minds as being a dominant competitor in this class.

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

Shane: Every aspect of martial arts really.  The girls probably the most.  (Laughs)  Just kidding, just kidding.  I'm a competitive person and take it to the extreme.  This is the only sport I've been naturally good at and enjoyed it enough to work, so I feel blessed.

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

Shane: The major advice I have to people coming up in mixed martial arts would be a two-parter.  First off, don't listen to people when they say negative things about your fights or training.  Take constructive criticism from coaches and training partners, but the rest of the stuff is just pointless.  Secondly, don't go into fights thinking "I have to win" - that is useless.  Just be focused on how you perform.  Everyone gets beat, just make sure you're at your best and you will have no regrets.  Don't get me wrong.  Put everything on the line to win, but remember the big picture.  Keep growing, keep getting better.

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

Shane: My dad without a doubt has been the biggest influence in my life.  I mean, I can't say enough about the guy.  He's been a father and a friend beyond words.  He is the reason I'm the man I am today.

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

Shane: Anything active really.  I'm a big hockey fan, love the beach, playing video games, drinking and partying, etc.  Honestly, I try and do it all and have done a ton.  From professional paintball to painting with Bob Ross to King Salmon fishing in Alaska.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Shane: My oldest memory...well, I think it's a memory.  It might just be me hearing the story so many times that it feels like one.  I pulled a bench over on my toes when I was one-ish.  Not a cheap-ass bench either, but one of those heavy oak suckers.  It landed right on my toes.  Blood was everywhere.  My mom still gets freaked out talking about it.

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

Shane: Well, I'm pretty open but I don't think I've told many people that I danced for a bachelorette party when I was nineteen or twenty.  (Laughs)  Sorry, mom.  I stayed "clothed" if you count Shonie Carter as being clothed during fights, that is.  On a side note, there is great money in it.  I made 350 dollars in thirty minutes.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Shane: So far I'm immortal, but if for some crazy reason that turns out to be false, I'd like to be remembered simply as a man that enriched the people's lives around him as much as possible.  Someone that was always there for a laugh, and as a man that never took the easy road.  'Cause let's face it, the easy road is probably nice but the best stories are of those that took the rockiest path in life.

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 Shane Primm in the following places:

Official Shane Primm Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/#/profile.php?id=1440790874

Official Shane Primm MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/shaneprimetimeprimm

Shane Primm on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Shane-Primm-18304

Shane Primm Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/18304

10 Questions With Jason Trzewieczynski (by Darrick Patrick)

Jason "Ba Bu" Trzewieczynski is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as World Cagefighting Championships, American Hardcore MMA, Ultimate Cage Fighting Challenge, and Iron Will Fighting Championship.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Corey Hill in Raging Wolf Productions at Raging Wolf 6: Mayhem in the Mist on January 23rd, 2010.

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

Jason: I was beaten quite badly in a Sanda match.  My opponent came to me after the match and said, "you probably want to quit martial arts, but you shouldn't.  I couldn't knock you out.  Go train at a real gym."  So, I found a MMA gym and the rest is history.

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

Jason: Join my gym - Buffalo Training Center!  Seriously, find yourself a good gym with martial artists.  There are a lot of thugs and brawlers out there who have no idea what MMA is really about.  Let go of your ego and enjoy your journey.  Also, do your best to get cauliflower ears because chicks dig it.

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

Jason: Genki Sudo was always my favorite fighter.  He was able to be himself at all times, no matter what opponent he faced.  His martial arts were certainly a true representation of the "self-expression" that Bruce Lee often spoke about.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Corey Hill on January 23rd.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Jason: This should be an interesting match for me.  I'm usually the one outreaching my opponents.  However, Corey has that 80-inch reach.  I've been practicing some very specific striking patterns just for Corey that I think will prove quite effective.  I won't lie about my wrestling, it's not as good as Corey's wrestling is.  Still, I do have a few strong takedowns.  As far as the ground, I have the best BJJ team in the world supporting me!  I travel to Toronto regularly to train with my professor Omar Salvosa and his Team Ascension, and they have been preparing me for this upcoming match.

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

Jason: The truth involved.  The self-discovery.  I've yet to find something in life that is more pure and true than combat with another person.  I fight black bears occasionally, but even that can't compare to humans.  Bears can't do jumping kicks, so it's a bit different.

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

Jason: Well, I'd like to say my parents but they were killed by ninjas when I was young - which is why I do martial arts in the first place.  They were Zuffa ninjas and I have to get to the UFC to avenge their deaths!

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

Jason: I like to read manga.  I also play Restaurant City and Pet Society on Facebook religiously.

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

Jason: I had a big crush on this one girl, but I was afraid to talk to her.  It took me eight months to work up the courage to say hi, but we're dating now so it worked out!  (It's the cauliflower ears).

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Jason: When my family was killed by ninjas.

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

Jason: The first wish would be that my dog Yoshi could speak English.  He tries, but I can't understand him.  Wish two - cutting weight sucks.  That's not a wish...I just wanted to state that I hate weight-cutting.  I'm only doing it because fighting Corey is a big opportunity for me and I usually fight at my natural weight of 170 pounds.  The third wish would be that everybody in the world had a BFF like Paul Moran.

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 Jason Trzewieczynski in the following places:

Official Jason Trzewieczynski MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/invinciblebabu

Official Jason Trzewieczynski Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/babu13

Official Jason Trzewieczynski YouTube Area:

http://www.youtube.com/user/BaBu13

Official Buffalo Training Center Website:

http://www.buffalotrainingcenter.com

Official Buffalo Training Center MySpace Page:

http://www.myspace.com/buffalotrainingcenter

Official Buffalo Training Center Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49475119332&ref=mf

Jason Trzewieczynski on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jason-Trzewieczynski-43493

10 Questions With Marcus Ajian (by Darrick Patrick)

Marcus "Mr. Beatdown" Ajian is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as King Of The Cage, Ballroom Battleground, Iron Will Fighting Championship, UMMAXX, Combat Zone, Long Beach Fight Night, Rumble On The Rez, No Escape The Cage, Rocktown Showdown, and Freestyle Cage Fighting.  At the time of this very short interview, his next scheduled match is against Aaron Meisner in Locked In The Cage at LITC 2 on January 23rd, 2010.

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

Marcus: Amateur boxing, Bruce Lee, Bruce LeRoy, and the movie Bloodsport were all influences that moved me towards the direction of mixed martial arts.  I was a troubled youth and I originally took up boxing as a positive way to release anger.

Darrick: In your experience so far, what brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?

Marcus: I love to be an underdog.  Also, it's the only sport where you can legally try to kill a man with your bare hands and not go to jail.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Aaron Meisner on January 23rd.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Marcus: It should be a good stand-up war.  He likes to stand and bang, I like to stand and bang.  It'll be a great fight for the fans.  Don't blink.  (Laughs)

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

Marcus: Royce Gracie was a little guy who beats up all the big guys, and I am a little guy who likes to beat up big guys.  Anderson Silva is the best fighter on the planet.  And the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - they got me interested in martial arts in the first place.

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

Marcus: Train hard and impose your will.

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

Marcus: I see mixed martial arts continuing to grow as a mainstream sport and sticking around for a long time to stay.

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

Marcus: Basketball, football, spending time with my kids, and watching women's volleyball.  (Laughs)

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Marcus: My earliest memory is of my brother and I being taken from my mother.  Rest in peace, Peggy Grant.  Love you, momma'.

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

Marcus: I love R & B music.

Darrick: What moments in your life have you been proudest of so far?

Marcus: The birth of my children.  Before we conclude, I want to thank Team Tap, the Beatdown Family, Sensei Cory Lewis, Sandusky Ji Do Kwan, and all of my training partners.  Looking forward to putting Ohio on the map once again.

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 Marcus Ajian in the following places:

Official Marcus Ajian MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/ajian_beatdown

Marcus Ajian on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Marcus-Ajian-32716

10 Questions With Khristian Geraci (by Darrick Patrick)

Khristian "The Sandman" Geraci is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Ring Of Combat, Reality Fighting, Combat Sport Challenge, Rise Fighting Championships, International Fighting & Boxing League, No Escape The Cage, Sportfighting, and Combat In The Cage.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Brad Pole in Locked In The Cage at LITC 2 on January 23rd, 2010.

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

Khristian: After the military, I decided I wanted to teach kids that violence didn't have to be about hate and that it could be used in a positive manner such as competition and sportsmanship.

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

Khristian: I respect any man or woman that steps into the ring or cage, no matter what their talent level is at.  It takes a special kind of person to get in there and stand toe-to-toe with someone until only one is left standing.  If I had to pick a particular celebrity though, it would be Rich Franklin because he has always been a true sportsman.  He is always respectful and I believe has set a good example for our youth that watch what we do.

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

Khristian: The greatest feeling to me is to get stopped after a fight or out in town by a young MMA fan and to hear how he/she respects what we do.  It's also very fulfilling to see the comradery and respect between opponents.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Brad Pole on January 23rd.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Khristian: It should be a great fight because we both have a lot to prove going into this one.  It's a fair match-up and should definitely make for a great battle inside the cage.

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

Khristian: Don't try to be more than you are and don't look for shortcuts.  I can tell you from personal experience that it only leads to the downfall of a career and it is very hard to regain the respect of the MMA community.

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

Khristian: My father and my high school literature teacher.

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

Khristian: I love to spend time with my kids.  Nothing beats hanging out and playing a video game, watching a movie, or going to the ballpark to watch or play a game with my kids.  They are my whole world and the reason that I step in the cage.

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

Khristian: I love to study different religions to help understand different cultures and I also love to read and write poetry.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Khristian: My dad teaching me how to throw a baseball when I was four years old is my earliest memory.  I still play catch with him every summer.

Darrick: If you had superpowers, what would they be?

Khristian: Time travel.  I have made some pretty bad mistakes in my MMA career, both in the ring and out of it, that I deeply regret.  I'd like to go back and change some of my decisions so that I could spend more time fighting as my career instead of fighting to save my career.

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 Khristian Geraci in the following places:

Official Khristian Geraci MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/khristiangeraci

Official Khristian Geraci Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Khristian-Geraci/100000352856421

Khristian Geraci on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Khristian-Geraci-15812