Ryan Bader

1. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to pursue MMA?

Well they have always been there for me throughout all my endeavors as a kid through my college wrestling days. At first they were hesitant mainly because of the fact that they were not very knowledgeable about the sport of MMA. They are a big part of my life so when I told them I was interested in MMA they immediately began watching and learning about the sport. My mom had a tough time watching my first couple fights, but she is getting better and actually takes her hands off her eyes occasionally! They are very supportive and will support me in whatever path I choose. They are becoming big MMA fans and are looking forward to watching me try and reach my new goals.


2. You had your first professional MMA fight in March of 2007. What were your thoughts as you walked to the ring for the first time?

Sitting in the back warming up I had a ton of emotions running through me. I was extremely excited but at the same time I was very nervous. I didn’t know really what to expect. I have had a ton of high level competition under my belt from my college wrestling days at Arizona State University where I was a two time All American. That helped me out a lot with the calming of my nerves. One thing that made me feel better was watching my opponent hit pads, he had a long braided pony tail and when throwing a combination, his hair whipped around and caught him in the eye and he almost went down! It was funny to watch to say the least and made me feel confident about the match up.

As I walked out I felt a huge adrenaline rush, I know was in competition mode and the guy In the cage already was in my way of starting my MMA career off on the right foot and also in the way of achieving my goals.

3. What's the worst job you ever had?

The worst job I ever had was a valet attendant in Phoenix, AZ. I worked over the summer when I was in school. It was at a hospital so I was driving 79’ Oldsmobile’s instead of Ferraris and the like. The worst part about it was the heat. I was running a quarter mile every time I parked a car in 115 degree heat. To make things worse I would jump in a car and blast the A/C and get covered in dust from the vents. I stuck it out though and finished the summer working until school started. Needless to say I did not apply the next summer. Luckily now I get to train full time and focus on my training thanks to LG Sports Marketing and MTX audio.

4. Rumor has it that you were in the limo when Jesse Taylor kicked out that window. Looking back what were your thoughts as you watched him go crazy that night?

Well I went up to Vegas after the guys got done filming TUF 7. CB Dollaway called me up and asked me to join them in their celebration of getting sone filming and being released into the real w
orld. I knew Jesse Taylor from college wrestling so we were already acquainted. We were at the club and all of us were drinking, when we left we were headed out and had to help Jesse to the limo that all of us were ridding back in. When we arrived at the Palace Station everybody got out and it was Matt Riddel, Jesse Taylor, and me, left in the limo. Out of nowhere he kicks the window and it doesn’t break, then he kicks it again, but this time he is successful and out goes the window. Riddel and I look at each other in astonishment and Jesse leaves the limo. We get out hoping that the limo driver does not think that we were the ones responsible. Riddel gives the guy some money and the driver is understandably upset. We get out of there and I guess they find Jesse later on that night after some other run ins.

Jesse is a good guy, I just think the combination of alchohol and the situation of the house in which you are under strict supervision and can’t really do much to being let out in Vegas on your own, Was a big reason why this whole situation happened.

5. Who was the toughest guy you wrestled while at Arizona State?

The toughest guy I wrestled in competition would have to be Mo Lawal from Oklahoma State. I was a freshman when I wrestled him. I was pretty green to college wrestling and he was a stud. I came out and he does this pre match ritual of jumping as high as he could right in front of you before you shake hands. No joke, his feet were above my head. I look back at my coaches Aaron Simpson and Thom Ortiz and they are both laughing. It gave me great encouragement! Haha I ended up getting tech falled. He was just very athletic and matched with my inexperience, was a bad match for me.

In the ASU wrestling room, I had a number of tough wrestlers to work with. Every day I went with Aaron Simpson, Cain Velasquez, CB Dollaway, Nick Frost, and many more. We would push each other every day, with no one wanting to give an inch.


6. What do you like to do when you aren't training?

When I’m not training I like to keep active. I am not big on sitting on the couch all day. I love going to the lake, wakeboarding and other water sports, hanging out with friends and family, taking my Doberman to the dog park etc. I also love the outdoors, so anything to do with that I am having a good time. I get bored very easily so I am on the go most of the time.


7. What's the hardest thing to cut out of your diet when you are cutting weight?

Hardest thing to cut out of my diet is basically just the fact that I can’t eat whatever I want. I am not big on one particular food; I like a variety of foods. So when I am training for a fight I eat chicken and fish with vegetables pretty much every night. It gets so old, but it works for me. That is the worst thing about being on a diet is the lack of variety.

8. Who are some of your favorite fighter to watch?

I Love to watch Anderson Silva. He in another class as far as fighting goes. He is so fluid and makes it look effortless. Antonio Nogueira is also one of my favorites because of his ability come back and win a fight even if he is taking a beating. He is so durable and calm under pressure. I also can’t leave out my good friends Cain Velasquez and CB Dollaway. We came up together so it is great to see them be successful.


9. Which training partner gives you the toughest time during training?

We have so many great training partners and fighters at Arizona Combat Sports that it is hard to say. Steve Steinbeiss is a phenomenal kickboxer so I have a tough time with him on our kickboxing days. He kicks so hard its scary. His brother Ray Steinbeiss is a good boxer and those two really help out a lot with stand up. Aaron Simpson who was my coach at ASU is a world class wrestler so we go at it constantly in wrestling and MMA sparring. Along with CB Dollaway and Jesse Forbes we have a great stable of close knit guys that help each other out in whatever ways we can. Also Thales leites comes and trains before his fights with us and it is good to have his intensity and his skills on the ground in the gym.

10. Where do you see Cain Velazquez and CB Dollaway in five years?

I see them both in their prime and at the top of their game with a UFC belt around their waists. I see them both moving up the ranks quickly. I can’t wait to see where we can all take this. We all have worked so hard to be where we are at right now and to see those guys making an impact is amazing. There are few that work harder than these guys and to see that work pay off really pushes yourself to do the extra stuff that will enable you to reach your goals.

Jules Bruchez

1. How did you get started in MMA?
During my senior year in high school I saw a UFC fight on TV for the first time. Ever since then I have wanted to get involved but had no local training resources. About 3 years ago, Boo Bernice, a guy I used to work with told me about a guy in town training people for MMA. I didn't waste anytime I contacted Josh, who is now my current coach and started training immediately.

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a professional fighter?
Actually, I kept it a secret for a while but once they found out they were very supportive but at the same time very worried about me getting hurt.

3. How did you get the name "The Cottonmouth from the South"?
Friends gave me the nickname because it is one of the most poisonous snakes in the South.

4. What are your strengths as a fighter?
Maximal Strength and strength endurance. I've never been in a fight where I felt my opponent was stronger than me and oculd keep up in the later rounds having as much strength as me.

5. When cutting weight for a fight what's the hardest thing to cut out of your diet?
Sweets!!!

6. What do you like to do when you aren't training?
Sit on the couch and do nothing. Just be lazy!

7. Where do you train?
Ronin Dojo, but starting in October I will be training at the new Gladiators Academy of Lafayette.

8. Which training partner gives you the toughest time in practice?
Christian who is a local pro-fighter. I think he'll be in the UFC one day.

9. What is the worst job you've ever had?
McDonalds, I was 17 and I lasted 3 days.

10. You're from Louisiana. Do the Saints make the playoffs this year?
Yes without a doubt!

Roli Delgado

1. How did you get started in MMA?
When I moved to Arkansas they didn't have wrestling yet so I looked into Martial Arts. Luckily I found Matt Hamilton who was already fighting pro.

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a professional fighter? We never had a talk about it. I had been fighting Ammy for a while and at the time there wasn't anyone fighting for a living. It was just something I did for fun. Turning pro was just a way to take it to the next level. I fought Jason Ireland for 200 bucks and didn't get travel expenses. The family never liked it but it wasn't their life!

3. How did you get the name "The Crazy Cuban"?
It was a joke. My friend Michael Feemster used to make fun of me and dared me to use it. I did and it stuck!

4. What are your strengths as a fighter? My jiu jitsu for sure, other then that I would have to say my heart!

5. When cutting weight for a fight what's the hardest thing to cut out of your diet? I dont ever cut very hard. I don't have one meal that I really mis, I just cut the portions and make weight really easily. I normally cut to 45 at 55 i just skip breakfast!

6. What do you like to do when you aren't training? Sport Jiu Jitsu, Hunt, Fish, Read and spend time with my family. I own a gym in Little Rock so even when I'm not fighting I'm helping others get ready to fight.

7. Where do you train?
Westside MMA in Little Rock Arkansas. Westsidemma.com

8. Which training partner gives you the toughest time in practice? Darby Brighton. He's my size, and only trains once a week but stays in shape. When he's on it is very frustrating for me. He's a beast.

9. What is the worst job you've ever had? McDonalds as a kid. Needless to say, I got my degree! I was 15 and it was the only place that gave you a job at 15.

10. You're from Arkansas. What are you expecting out of the Razorbacks this year now that Houston Nutt is gone? Forget Nutt, now that Mike Wessel quit the strenth coach position to become a fighter they are done! J/K. Check out Mikewessel.com though, that guy is a beast!

Tom Lawlor

1. How did you get into MMA? I have been a HUGE pro-wrestling fan since I was a young lad on the mean streets of Swansea,Mass. All I wanted to do was be the next Koko B.Ware, Brutus Beefcake, or one of the Beverly Brothers. Then one day, my friend Al introduced me to the UFC when I was in 6th grade. I had heard about the mythological Royce Gracie from him, and when Dan Severn was able to last 20 minutes with him, I knew I would be involved in amateur wrestling. I wrestled in high school and trained my first MMA classes at JBA jiu-jitsu with Don Banville in Fall River,MA and have been hooked ever since!

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a professional fighter? Don't get hit in the face. Honestly, they know that my looks are my livelihood.

3. Is it true you won a pie eating contest in Florida?

Oh it's true, it's damn true! I was watching the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) finals in Lakeland,FL this past March. There was a break in the action so myself, along with a few of my buddies, went in to the downtown part of the city to have breakfast, only to find that all the shops were closed! Apparently every Saturday morning Lakeland shuts down for the Farmer's Market....which on this day contained a Bob Evans' pie eating contest. Seeing as how not one cafe, rib shack, or fishery was open, I knew this was my only shot at curbing my hunger. I entered and ate a 48 oz. of pie in 3 minutes! My next closest competitor was 12 oz. behind me at 36! I apologize to all the 6 year old kids whose hopes and dreams I dashed by devouring the pies, but it was destiny.

4. Your debut was ruled a no contest because the cage broke. After all that preparation and hard work what were your thoughts on that fight? Well I don't think of that fight as my debut. I had what I guess was an amateur fight in 2003, so I consider the fight in question as my return. I prepared very hard for that fight, as I knew Ariel Gandulla was a tough competitor (former WEC LHW #1 contender) as I had defeated him in a grappling match a few months prior. After the cage broke and Ariel unfortunately couldn't continue I sat down and reevaluated my training for fights. I had abstained from drinking, sex, and everything else that is holy to me to prepare for the bout against him. I decided that no longer would I deprive myself from these pleasures during my training, so now I make it a point to drink heavily up until the night before the fight.

5. What happened to cause the disqualification against Shane Primm so early in the fight at the WFC show in March 08? I think that my mind was still in a sugar-coma from the pie eating contest a week earlier. I had Shane in a front headlock and heard my corner saying to knee him. Thinking they had a better vantage point, and that his knees were off the mat, I threw a knee that connected to his face and the ref waved the fight off immediately. I screwed up, but in retrospect I think the ref should have warned me/taken the point away and given him time to recover. Granted he may have been able to, but at least give me the chance.

6. Where do you train? I've trained at a number of places. In general my home is at American Top Team-Orlando. In Orlando I've also trained with the guys at American Combat Club who tough as nails. I go back to Massachusetts quite often to visit family/fight and when I do I call Team Aggression/RSD/Lauzon MMA and JBA Jiu-Jitsu my temporary homes. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the guys at the UCF Wrestling Club as they really developed me in to the athlete I've become and without them, I wouldn't have the chance to have trained at the other schools.

7. What do you like to do when you aren't training? Honestly I spend a LOT of time on the internet. I'm addicted to Wikipedia and reading about other countries. Currently I'm getting my blog/website going at www.TOMLAWLOR.net so that is taking some of my time up. I am also a partier. I work the door at a bar called Jake & Micky's and on my free nights I am usually out on the town partying like an animal (naked in the woods, eating garbage). I enjoy playing dress up. I also enjoy procrastinating.

8. What's the hardest thing to cut out of your diet when you are cutting weight? I walk around at 205 all the time now. I wrestled at heavyweight in college and ate like a horse to keep above 220. When I quit my job teaching high school to focus on MMA, my income dramatically dwindled and I lost about 20 lbs since the turn of 2008.

9. Which training partner gives you the toughest time in practice? There are a few guys that come to mind right off the bat all for different reasons. Jason Carappelluci is a 145 beast who is like 3 feet tall so he used to be able to always take me down because his level if so low, so I hate him. Steve Ramos is a 20 year old prodigy, who will be a big star on Spanish TV, so his age annoys me. Ben Saunders is long like a praying mantis and it is annoying to spar him. Seth "Pasta Belly" Petruzelli is my main training partner most of the time, so we usually get at it pretty hard.

10. What's the worst job you ever had? I haven't had any HORRIBLE jobs, but for the sake of hilarity I will mention my first college job at GiGi's Hair Design as a male receptionist. It is demoralizing to have lots of girl's phone numbers from a 40,000 person university and have all of them think you are gay because you work at a hair salon....Ughhh stereotypes.

Brandon Garner

1. How did you get started in MMA?
My Dad got me into it. He owned a gym and had a friend named Greg Thompson who was interested in starting a Jiu Jitsu program there. Greg (my current jiu jitsu instructor and Royce Gracie Black Belt) bought the Gracie Basics and started teaching/training with some friends out of my Dad's gym. I was always hanging around the gym and watching them spar and my Dad was always training jiu jitsu. One day he encouraged me to try it out and the rest is history.

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a professional fighters?
My family has always been extremely supportive in anything I do. They encourage me to chase my dreams no matter what they are.

3. What's the worst job you've ever had?
After college I worked as a call center loan officer. It was terrible!

4. Where do you train?
I train at team ROC in Raleigh and Fayetteville, North Carolina.

5. Which training partner gives you the toughest time in practice?
My toughest sparring sessions are with Jason Palacios. Tim Kennedy isn't bad either.

6. How did you get into teaching soldiers jiu jitsu?
I got started teaching soldiers about 4 years ago. My current instructor (Greg Thompson) has been working at Ft. Bragg for about 10 years and needed some extra help. I was hating my job as a loan officer and jumped at the opportunity.

7. How important is the Gracie family to you?
The Gracie family is extremely important. They are the reason that jiu jitsu and mma became popular in America. They revolutionized modern day fighting. Fighting is my life now and I owe it all to them.

8. What do you like to do when you aren't training?
When I'm not fighting I like to study fight videos.

9. Who are some of your favorite fighters?
My favorites include Vitor Ribeiro, BJ Penn, Imanari, Fedor, and Randy Couture.

10. I had heard that you went to Appalachian State. How excited were you when they beat Michigan?
I love to see the underdog win and when it's my team it's that much better. That was a great day!

George Roop

1. How did you get into MMA?
I've always been a fan of the UFC since I was a kid. I did traditional martial arts when I was young and wrestled all through out school. When I was 23 I started training MMA.

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a professional fighter?
My younger brother is my biggest fan. He is 3 yrs younger than me and I wouldn't be were I am today if it wasn't for him. I would always come home from practice and do all the new moves I learned on him.

3. What titles have you held?
I am the current Bantam and Lightweight Champion for RITC.

4. What are you most proud of from your career so far?
I am most proud that I've followed my dream no matter how hard things have gotten.

5. When cutting weight for a fight what's the hardest thing to cut out of your diet?
When cutting weight the hardest thing for me to cut out of my diet is ALL food. Eating is one of my most favorite things to do.

6. What do you like to do when you aren't training?
When I'm not training my favorite thing to do is BBQ with friends. I can eat a heavyweight under the table anytime. Just ask anybody who knows me. I LOVE TO EAT!!!

7. Where do you train?
In Tucson I train at The Ultima and I just moved to Vegas were I'm training at Striking Unlimited.

8. Which training partner gives you the toughest time in practice?
Ed West is my main training partner. I could not ask for a better training partner. I can call him at 2 A.M to train and he'll be there.

9. What is the worst job you've ever had?

The worst job I've ever had was working at a call center. Whatever pays the bills though, right?

10. Who are some of your favorite figthers?

My favorite fighters are Frank Mir, Ed West, and GSP

Ido Pariente

1. How did you get into MMA?

I've been training martial arts since I was 7, I started with Karate wich I hold a 3rd degree black belt today, at the age of 16 I started judo and when I was 18 I first saw the UFC and fell in love with BJJ (I am a black belt today). I had to join the army here in Israel but I decided to go to the US as I finish the army to try and compete in MMA. And so I did. I spent two years in the midwest fighting for victory fighting championship and I ended up winning the lightweight title.

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a professional fighter?

They said I was crazy! Back then it was advertised as no holds barred fighting so everyone thought it wasn't a sport, don't get me wrong my parents still think I'm crazy but they really admire the way I follow my dreams and don't stop untill I acomplish them!

3. What titles have you held?

2001 VFC lightweight champion
2003 Pancration world champion
2007 European BJJ chamion (brown belt)
2007 Desert Combat lightweight champion(still holding this title)

4. You actually fought Jake Shields in 2007, can you tell us a little about that fight?

Well I have a guy helping us get fights in K-1 and I have fought in two K-1 events before this fight. When I was offered the fight against Jake I have heard about him before but I didn't exactly know who he was so automatically I said yes. about a week later I found out that he was a welterweight (and I'm a lightweight) so I turned to my contact and told him, and he said it's this fight or no fight, well it's K-1 dynamite, of course I'm fighting. I was training to win, not just to show my face in the big show, and I thought I was going to beat him. But Jake is very good and now I know it from up close. He beat me in 2 minutes and I took it really bad at first. Untill I saw his fight against Renato Verisimo, he did to him in 4 minuntes what he did to me in 2, so that made me feel alittle bette r(not to much though)

5. Would you like a rematch with him?

If I could turn the clock back I would do the exact same thing because it was a lesson for me that really helped me improve. But I wouldn't fight him again because he's too big for me. But I would like to see my brother fight against him. My brother is 6 years younger than me and 15 pounds heavier. He is really good and I think that three or four fights from now he could give Jake his toughest fight yet... and even beat him.

6. What do you like to do when you aren't training?

I have dedicated my life to this sport and to put Israel on the MMA map so I train alot. other than that I am one of the first teachers of BJJ here so I have a school with around 100 students where I teach 4 times a week and I give private classes in the morning, I'm also a fittness instructor so I give private classes for that as well. other than that I love to go to the beach and just chill, I read books, and on weekends when I'm not prepering for any fights I love going to rave parties (BUT I DON'T DO DRUGS)

7. Where do you train?

Most of the time I train here in Israel, I have build a strong jiu jitsu group that helps me alot, I have a muay thai coach (Itsik Franko) that has prodused some high level strickers, a world champion and a european champion so the level is very high. My BJJ teacher is Patrick Bittan, a second degree black belt from france who took second in the world championship twice, so I travel there alot to train, and I go to brazil where our master Flavio behring helps us alot, teaches us and takes us to the strongest competition groups in Brazil so we can improve.

8. You have fought all over the world from Iowa to Romania. Where is your favorite place to fight?

If you include my BJJ tournaments then I have fought from Brazil to Lithuania! That's quit a distance. But I love the most fighting here in Israel, It's my home crowd , everyone is cheering for me. I'm quit famouse because we have a channel on cable called ego total which is a channel for MMA boxing and kickboxing, and they air all my fights here so people know me. But my dream is to fight in the UFC I would give up fighting everywhere if I had a chance to be a UFC fighter.

9. What is the worst job you've ever had?

I've had some weird jobs growing up, like selling baked potatos, or working in clothes store shit like that, I don't know what was the worst job but I know what is the best job I ever had.. being a fighter!!

10. How did you get the name "The Hebrew Hammer"?

The name the Hebrew Hammer started as a joke back when I was fighting in VFC in 2001. some of my friends were looking for funny names for me because I'm from Israel like "the Mad Moiel" "The Crazy Rabi" "the Israeli Assasin" and of course "The Hebrew Hammer" one of my friends started joking around with my promoter back then and started telling him all the names they came up with and my promoter said:"The Heberew Hammer.. I like that" I said:"oh no" and he decided to call me out as Ido the Hebrew Hammer Pariente. I couldn't believe when he did it the first time and I told him not to do it any more but that just made him do it more, and finally it just stuck Today I like that name.

Shane Primm

1. How did you get started in MMA?

I had boxed and done some muay thai but my actual MMA start happened in November of 2004.
My goal when I started was to get a head start on hand to hand combat before I joined the military. I met Cliff Fonseca and Doug Frazier at Guardian Mixed Martial Arts in Murfreesboro TN, and fell in love with it. I'd played every sport imaginable at some time, but nothing as pure as MMA. It fit my personality so I ran with it. Looking back, the first time I stepped on the mat essentially changed my life.

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a professional fighter? My father laughed at me, I was planning on going into the armed forces so I think it was actually less stress on him. My mom freaked of course. Said I'd get hurt, and this and that. She still has a hard time watching me fight, but she "practices" by watching all the UFC events. My sister is probably my biggest fan and you want to avoid her if I'm in the cage. I'm really lucky. I have a family that supports me to the fullest extent. I love them very much and don't know if fighting would be possible without them.

3. What do you like to do when you aren't training?
I either relax (depending on how hard the days was) or we go to Busch Gardens, the beach, hang out at the pool. You know, typical Floridian stuff.

4. Where do you train?
I train at Gracie Tampa under Rob Kahn. His jiu jitsu is off the chain. Matt Arroyo, Monstah Lobstah, Brandon Sene, Joe "Bamboo" Wissmann, these are just a few of the guys that come from there. If your thinking who is Bamboo, he will be in the public eye alot in the near future. I mean I can't say enough good things about the instruction and the calibre of students at GT. I just can't wait till I get a few more years under my belt with them. Thats when I think I will really shine.

5. What happened in the fight between you and Tom Lawlor at the WFC show in March 08 that resulted in you winning via disqualification in uder a minute?
He threw a knee that hit me square on top of the head. I was down at the time, on both knees and I think an elbow. Next thing I remember the doc was asking if I was ok. It was unintentional though, he thought I was standing up and in the heat of the moment, it happens. We were actually really cool before the fight and after too. Nothing but respect to him, he is a cool dude and a great figher.

6. What are your strengths as a fighter?
Being well rounded is my biggest strength. I'm still young but I've been striking and doing BJJ/Wrestling for a while. I'm not always the best submission guy, striker, or wrestler. But I am usually better than my opponents in two out of the three. So being versatile tends to be my biggest asset at this stage in my career.

7. Who are some of your favorite fighters?
Top 5 in no particular order: Anderson Silva, Fedor, Forrest Griffin, GSP, and Nogueira


8. What's the hardest thing to cut out of your diet when you are cutting weight?
I've been a pretty small 205er here for the last year so making weight was easy. But now I'm back to 220-225 and ice cream is my weakness. Chocolate Ice Cream.

9. What's the worst job you ever had?
I've had a few bad jobs, but I would say working security at a night club. I had a bunch of really cool coworkers but I just couldn't deal with the boredom and the staying out at all hours of the night. I would rather do something productive than just stand around. You can only stand in dress shoes for so long till your sore as hell too. And on top of getting a daily beating, it just didn't work out.

10. Maryland is coming to Murfreesboro to play MTSU Sept. 6. Care to make a prediction? I don't really follow MTSU sports anymore but how can I not represent and say MTSU by landslide.

Ryan Jimmo

1. How did you get into MMA?

I was training for karate and I started doing jujitsu for crosstraining. I became frustrated becuase of the lack of oppurtunity's for amuatuer sport in the country and figured if I could become one of the best in the world at one sport that I could put that same dedication and drive toward mma and have more opportunity's open up to me.

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a professional fighter?

My family was a karate famly. my father has a 5th degree black belt in karateand fought in japan at world level competition placing 5th. My brother has a 2nd degree black belt as do I. my mother even has a green belt and is very heavily involved in karate on an adminstration level. So when I said I was going to fight in mma, they weren't to surprised, just curious in the factors involved and the differences compared to the karate backround that had served my family so well.

3. What has Georges St. Pierre done for MMA in Canada?

GSP has brought the Canadian MMA scene to a more international forefront. He's well spoken, intelligent and well mannered. He's a great spokesperson for the sport. A true contidiction to steroetype that the average person has to most MMA athletes

4. How did you get the name "Big Deal"?

I got my name "The Big Deal" by accident. Before my fifth fight we were doing the video intro's with a company called Max Speed. I had worked with them before on several projects and was quite comfortable with the crew of guys that was doing the taping. I didn't know the camera was even on and I did my best anchorman impression I don't know if your aware, but I'm kind of a big deal." Next thing I know there playing the video before the fight and they anounced me as Ryan"The Big Deal" Jimmo. A nickname was born.

5. When cutting weight for a fight what's the hardest thing to cut out of your diet?
My least favorite thing to cut is water just prior to wiegh ins, in regards to my least favorite food to cut in the months leading up to the fight, I dont have one. I simply use food as a tool to accomplish my goals and I enjoy cutting certain foods out because I enjoy seeing the change and progression in my body as I do so.

6. What do you like to do when you aren't training?

When Im not training, I'm reading, writing or playing chess. I also do personal training on the side so I put some time and energy into that as well as work on promoting myself. I'm not much of a social person but I will play poker any chance I have, I enjoy games wich give me mental stimulation.

7. Where do you train?
I was training at Titans in Halifax but have recently changed to Fit Plus in Halifax under Jorge Gurgel.

8. Which training partner gives you the toughest time in practice?
I would have to say becuase of size and strength Roger Hollett whom I trained for two years with at Titans. TJ Grant is my new training partner and is certainly the most well developed fighter I have trained with. Technically speaking TJ is the best.

9. What is the worst job you've ever had?
My worst job? I've washed dishes before but because of the people who I worked with that was one of my favorate jobs I've ever had. I worked as a bellhop when I was younger, I made very good money but I very much disliked the political setting of that particular corporate structure.

10. Who are some of your favorite figthers?

My favorate fighter is me (haha, its funny because its true). GSP,Randy Couture, and I was a fan of him but after I met and trained with Noguera I'm his biggest fan. I'm not his biggest fan because of his fighting so much but because he is a genuine human being with a soft heart despite being a hardened fighter. I looked up to those fighters not because of there fighting because of there character and tenacity.

Eliot Marshall

1. How did you get into MMA?

I started doing karate when I was 6 years old. I moved to Colorado for college and started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Amal Easton. I competed alot and was very successful so I figured the next step was to fight.

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to pursue MMA professionally?

I have been doing martial arts my entire life so i was always talking about fighting. When I made the decision to take a fight they had the normal concerns of me getting hurt and if it was worth my time, but now they are very supportive of what I do. They tell everyone they can about me.

3. Where do you train?

I train at Easton BJJ in Boulder, CO and at Jacksons MMA down in Albuquerque, NM.

4. Do you feel the training with the elevation in Denver gives you an advantage in a fight?

The elevation for sure helps. I get less tired when I compete at sea level.

5. Which training partner gives you the toughest time in practice?

I'm very lucky when it comes to training partners. Alot of times I feel like I am the worst one in the gym. I train with Nate Marquardt and all the other guys in CO and NM. But I would have to say the kickboxing with Duane Ludwig when he wants to put it on you is the worst experience of my life.

6. What's the worst job you've ever had?

I dug ditches to lay water pipes, gas, and electricity for a summer in NYC. It sucked

7. Who gave you the nickname Eliot "The Fire" Marshall?

My friend and training partner Tyrone "The West Coast Phenom" Glover

8. What do you like to do when you aren't training?

I like to hang out with my wife and friends. I also like to play poker.

9. Your only professional loss was to Jason McDonald. What do you remember about that fight?

The loss was actually to Rob MacDonald. I remember the entire experience. It sucked when it was happening but it was good for me to lose. I was very poorly mentally prepared for that fight and it won't happen again.

10. Do the Denver Broncos make the playoffs this year?

I am a Broncos fan, but I don't think they make it.

Phillipe Nover

1. How did you get into MMA?

I started training traditional Martial arts since the age of 5. I trained at a Karate school from age 5 to 7. My mother and father then enrolled me in a school called Universal Defense Systems under Sifu Ralph Mitchell. There I trained Kung Fu, JKD, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Savate, Arnis, and even street self defense tactics. I started with him at the age of 10. I got into MMA after watching my training partners try it and do well. After my first fight. I was hooked. I enjoy it so much. I so feel alive when I fight!

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted to be a professional fighter?
My mother and father said I should focus on school and then do what I want after. As long as I finished school they were happy.

3. I understand that you a registered nurse. Which is more exciting fighting or nursing?
Nursing has it's exiting moments. I work in the ER and have seen everything there is to be seen that is humanly possible.
People dying, gun shots, stabbings, heart attacks, the works. But nothing compares to the fighting. I get such a rush in that cage it's immeasurable.

4. When cutting weight what is the hardest thing to cut out of your diet?
I love ice cream!!! Yum!!!

5. What do you like to do when you are training?
I listen to music all the time while training. That was one thing that was difficult on the show was no music!

6. Who gave you the name "The Filipino Assassin"?
I believe one of the guys on the show call me "The Assassin" So I said why not the Filipino Assassin! That sounds better! I have to represent!

7. Where do you train?
I train in Brooklyn NY with Team Insight and I train my BJJ under Soca

8. Which training partner gives you the toughest time in practice?
All my training partners are tough! Each has attributes that push me to the limit!

9. What's the worst job you've ever had?
When I was 15 I worked as a stock boy for $5 an hour. I got screamed at everyday about how poor my skills were as a laborer. From that point on I knew I had to go to school and get a degree!

10. I understand that you are from Brooklyn. Mets or Yankees?
To tell you the truth I hardly watch anything but combat sports. I'm not a big fan of team sports or sports with balls being thrown around. I need to see someone getting hurt. I need to see fists flying. The only other sports I enjoy doing other then fighting is paint balling!

John Polakowski

1. How did you get started in MMA?
I wrestled in High School and liked the one on one aspect of the sport. After high school I needed to keep doing some type of sport and had always wanted to do boxing. So I looked up in my phone book and a kickboxing gym was closer to my house than a boxing gym. So I ended up going to the kickboxing gym. I started kickboxing with Maurice Smith up in Seattle. I did kickboxing/muay thai for a few years before moving down to The Pit in San Luis Obispo, CA where I started doing MMA.

2. Where do you train?
The Pit with John Hackleman, Chuck Liddell, Scott Lighty, Antonio Banuelos, Glover Texiera, Luke Ridding, Casey Olson, and Preston Scharff.

3. What's it like training with Chuck Liddell?
Chuck is great. He is someone who offers a lot of experience and insight from his career in the UFC. I'm very fortunate to be able to train with him and learn from a man with a wealth of experience.

4. What did your family say when you told them you were dropping out of school a year away from graduation to pursue MMA?
Honestly they were none too happy. I don't blame them though. I would be nervous about my son if he were walking away from a guaranteed good career in engineering to pursue some up and coming sport. I think they were probably thinking I was throwing away all the years I spent in school to pursue a dead end goal. I guess it's a damn good thing I made it in mma! I will finish school when my fighting career is over.

5. Have your computer programming skills ever come in handy in your MMA career?
Hmm... not per se. I do fix all my friends' computers for free however. I'm gonna make my own website for the show so I guess that helps. I don't have to pay someone else to take care of my computer related needs.

6. Your record in MMA is 2-1 but you've only fought one guy, Olaf Alfonso. Can you give us a little backstory on that trilogy?
Wel like I said before I did MMA I was a kickboxer. In my first fight with Olaf I took the fight the day of (with no prior mma experience or training) as a replacement for Olaf's opponent. The fight turned out to be an all out war and was a candidate for fight of the year. I lost the fight via split decision because I didn't know the rules of the fight and elbowed him in the spine. (I arguably should've won) So the fans wanted a rematch. The second fight didn't live up to the hype as he injured himself at the end of the first round and couldn't continue. So a rubber match was necessary where I beat him again.

7. What is your biggest temptation while cutting weight?
Making weight isn't too difficult for me- I'm pretty disciplined. I do have a sweet tooth though...

8. Who are some of your favorite fighters to watch?
I come from a striking background so I always enjoy a good display of muay thai. Some of my favorites are: Chuck, Anderson Silva, Scott Lighty, GSP, BJ Penn, Tyson Griffin

9. What are your strengths as a fighter?
My first and foremost strength is my heart. I never, ever give up. It is very difficult to break me. No matter what I keep coming forward. I am always determined to leave everything I have in the ring. Second is my striking skills. I have pretty good striking thanks to my background with Maurice Smith and my training at the Pit. Third would probably be my chin and overall toughness. In all of my kickboxing/muay thai and mma fights I have never been knocked out or even knocked down. I can take a lot of punishment and still keep moving forward.


10. Polakowski vs. Alfonso IV, what do you think?
Nope- I've proved all I need to prove with Olaf. I've beaten him twice I don't see any need to beat him again unless he becomes a top ten contender or something. I would much rather face new opponents and face new challenges.

Wesley Murch

1. How did you get started in MMA?
It was actually James Thompson who got me started. We were doing debt collection together and he had a fight coming up so he asked me to come along to training because of my judo experience. And from there he got me a fight on Ultimate Combat and it sort of snowballed.

2. What did your family say when you told them you wanted pursue MMA for a living?
I have a very supportive family and my mother attends all my fights. I remember I was going to fight in america and my Mym was going to fly to watch. They were a little shocked because it was unheard of really but as soon as Istarted training they wereright behind me.

3. How did you get the nickname "The Immortal"?
The name came when I was a in Thailand. I kept quoting the saying "If it doesn't kill me it will make me stronger." While trainig our thai coacc said if you keep training here you will be immortal and so it stuck.

4. What do you like to do when you aren't training?
Apart from spending time with my daughter I only really fo one thing and that is Falconry. I fly and train birds of prey and I have flown Golden Eagles, Peregrinee Falcons, Goshawks, etc...That's all I really have time for.

5. What are your strengths as a fighter?
I like to fight and I like to trade but my real strength has to be my commitment to training. I used to hate to train and love to fight but now I look forward to developing every day.

6. How much has MMA grown in England since Michael Bisping burst onto the scene?
Michael Bisping has been a big name for a few years now and everything he achieved on the Ultimate Fighter was outstanding for UKMMA. The UFC has been an ambassador for us. He is becoming Britain's first MMA celebrity. He is a nice guy who trains and fights very hard. I have a lot of respect for him.

7. Who are some of your favorite fighters to watch?
BJ Penn, I love to watch him. He is the most talented fighter around. I alos like Fedor and Anderson Silva. I trained with Thiago Alves and JZ at ATT for a while and they are really great guys as well as exciting fighters.

8. Where do you train?
I have recently started training at eh "The Lock-Up" in my hometown of Bristol. It is very small and it means I have to travel for some sparring but we have some good guys and they really work hard. I have also been working alongside Medway Submission in Kent and have worked with a great submission grappling coach Lee Johnstone and conditioning with Nigel King.

9. Which fighter gives you the toughest time during training?

When I was at Trojan Ronnie Mann was by far the most talented guy I trained with. He works hard and has such a natural talent. He will go far and deserves every minute of it. I have also lately been training with Paul Reid. He is a great sparring partner and is well rounded.

10. What's the worst job you ever had?

I have been a bouncer for 8 years and although it's fun it is also a nightmare having people challenge you and taunt you and having to protect stupid drunk people. I have recently wuit the job as I really only want to fight in the octagon not for £12 an hour with drunk people.