10 Questions With Paul Daley (by Darrick Patrick)

Paul "Semtex" Daley is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as ShoXC, Cage Warriors Fighting Championships, Cage Rage, Pancrase, FX3, United Full Contact Federation, SportFight, UK Mixed Martial Arts Championship, and Extreme Brawl.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Bojan Kosednar at Cage Warriors Fighting Championships: Enter The Rough House 7 on July 12th, 2008.

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

Paul: I've been involved in martial arts since I was younger - when the UFC came about I was in secondary school (high school) and thought it looked really cool.  I thought I was a tough guy, and now I could see if I was...without getting arrested.

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

Paul: Yeah, start slow - especially if you're young.  Listen to those who have gone before you, dedicate yourself, and find a good school with good coaches, fighters, and a reputation.

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

Paul: Anderson Silva, because I think he has great ability, but is a real humble, friendly, and funny dude.  Fedor because of his will to win, and his total disregard for his opponents while fighting - but all the respect he has for them before and after.  Minotauro was and still is one of my all time favorites: he is a true warror and I'm a huge fan.  And GSP, just 'cause he symbolizes where the sport is going.

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

Paul: Muay Thai or boxing pads at 7 a.m. and at 11 a.m. is squad training.  At 6 p.m. I'll do running/conditioning and 7 p.m. is for submission wrestling.

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

Paul: Difficult question.  I love to train, but more importantly I like to be happy.  Martial arts gives me a certain peace and happiness - most of the time.  (Laughs)

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

Paul: My mother, my coach Rupert Smilies, and a lot of Hip Hop rappers and rags-to-riches stars that taught me about work ethic, drive, and commitment.

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

Paul: Traveling, culture, religion, Buddhist theories, music, movies, and lots of other things.  Gotta' fill my time if I'm not training or I'd go crazy.  Really, I would.  (Laughs)

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

Paul: Tough question.  I'm a deeper person than most people know, so I'd have to say world peace, universal happiness, and the truth from the goverment, secret societies, and other agencies.  I'd like them to let people know the truth about historic events that came to shape all life and how we live it today.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Paul: Christmas with my toy race car - I must have been around four years old.

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

Paul: I once starred in a UK movie called Sammy and Rosie Get Laid, check it out on IMDB.  I think I was about six years old and I played the son of one of the main characters.

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You can also check out Paul Daley in the following places:

Official Paul Daley MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/blackstarmma

Paul Daley on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=4270

Paul Daley Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=4270@@Paul%20Daley

10 Questions With Matt Thorpe (by Darrick Patrick)

Matt "12 Gauge" Thorpe is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as King Of The Cage, Ultimate Warrior Challenge, Cage Warriors Fighting Championships, Bodog Fight, Quannum Fighting, Xtreme Fighting Championship, Angrrr Management, Pride And Glory, San Gokui, and Ultimate Combat.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Simeon Thoresen at Cage Warriors Fighting Championships: Enter The Rough House 7 on July 12th, 2008.

Darrick: What led you to professional mixed martial arts competition?

Matt: When I first met my wife, she was training in Karate and she kept nagging at me to go along with her.  She described what they did and it sounded nothing like Karate, having done some traditional martial arts as a child.  I turned up at the first session, ended up grappling the whole class (it wasn't Karate), and it started from there.

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

Matt: My mum and dad have always been really supportive of whatever I have wanted to aim for, even though they worry when I fight.  They have been my support network throughout life.

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

Matt: It depends on what gym I am at and what day of the week it is.  Generally, the mornings consist of strength, conditioning, and cardio training.  With the evenings, I will be training technique, sparring either full MMA or Thai boxing, or wrestling and submission.

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

Matt: If you want it, go for it.  Make sure you put in the time and effort in the gym so that the fighting part is easy.  Don't rush into competing at the pro level, build up a decent amateur career first - get experience.

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

Matt: Seeing the time and effort I put in at the gym rewarded with a victory.

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

Matt: I really respected the Miletich Camp when I first started training.  They seemed to produce great well-rounded fighters, hence the reason that I went out and trained there for a couple of weeks.

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

Matt: When I am fighting, I very rarely get time for anything else.  I enjoy chilling, trying to play my guitar, watching films, and playing on my consoles when time permits.

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?

Matt: A punching bag, a decent book, and an iPod.

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

Matt: I am a 6' 4" welterweight.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Matt: I can't remember shit, I have been punched too much.  (Laughs)

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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You can also check out Matt Thorpe in the following places:

Official Matt Thorpe MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/matt_12gauge

Matt Thorpe on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=7077

Matt Thorpe Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=7077@@Matt%20Thorpe

10 Questions With Landon Showalter (by Darrick Patrick)

Landon "The Show" Showalter is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Ring Of Combat, Mix Fighting Championships, SportFight, Kauai Cage Match, Absolute Fighting Championships, Quest Promotions, United Full Contact Federation, Ultimate Ring Challenge, Rumble In The Ring, International Fighting Championship, and AMC Pankration.

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

Landon: As a child, I was a big Kung Fu buff - as most kids are.  I had a troubled childhood and got into a lot of trouble.  I grew up in a small town that was primarily white and I am half Korean.  I was always getting into fights and getting in trouble.  My parents divorced when I was young, so I had a few anger issues.  I got my girlfriend pregnant when I was only eighteen and all of a sudden I was a father.  You know, a kid having a kid!  Well, I got married too young and ended up with the typical story - it didn't work out and I was divorced at only twenty-three.  I was looking for a good way to filter my negative energy without going out and getting into shit.  I always wanted to fight competitively, so I found a MMA gym close to home and was addicted since the first day I tried it.

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

Landon: Charles Pearson, because of what he stands for and how he always believed in me, and never gave up on me as so many people had done before.  He is the big brother that I never had - thank you, Chaz, I love you for it all.  Also, Matt Hume - he was one of the original pioneers of the sport, has helped MMA grow in Washington state, and he is so knowledgable.  Finally, Anderson Silva is just one of the most well-rounded and talented fighters I have ever seen.

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

Landon: A typical training day for me would start out in the morning with a four to five mile run.  Then, I will grapple for a couple of hours, teach my classes throughout the day, and will go to Charlie's gym at 8:00 p.m. for two hours of fighter training with him.  That consists of cardio drills, pad drills, takedown drills, sparring, and whatever else he want me to do for the night.  It differs from day to day depending on his mood or my opponent.

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

Landon: Believe in yourself, train hard, have an open mind, and find a gym that has coaches who have competed themselves and have produced a few champions.  Conditioning is key - cross train as much as you can.

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

Landon: For me, it is the feeling of accomplishment.  The fact that I'm living my dream and making a living at it, the comradery I get from my students and training partners, the challenge, and travel.  Also, proving to my children that if you set your mind to it, you can do anything you want!

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

Landon: My mother was the biggest influence on me as a child.  She taught me how to work hard for anything that you do.  She was a foreigner in a strange country, raising two kids all on her own.  She is all heart and I love her very much for being strong for us.

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

Landon: I guess it would have to be cooking.  I love to cook in my own funny way, it's like an art and what guy doesn't love to eat?!  I also love to fish, it is relaxing and exciting at the same time.  Of course, I enjoy spending time with my fiancee and kids.

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

Landon: Hmmm, that's a good one.  Well, if I told you, then everyone would know!  I guess one thing would be that I love Miracle Whip spread on corn on the cob.  Another is that I like chick flicks!

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

Landon: I would like to be invisible!  If I wanted my privacy, I could just disappear and I could be a spy!

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Landon: It would have to be when I was in kindergarten.  I pissed my pants in class, had to go to the office, and then wear some other kid's pants!  (Laughs)

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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You can also check out Landon Showalter in the following places:

Official Landon Showalter MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/landonshowalter

Official Landon Showalter YouTube Page:

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

Landon Showalter on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=2803

Landon Showalter Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=2803@@Landon%20Showalter

10 Questions With Jake Ellenberger (by Darrick Patrick)

Jake "The Juggernaut" Ellenberger is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as the International Fight League, King Of The Cage, Bodog Fight, Extreme Fighting Challenge, Victory Fighting Championships, International Fighting Championship, Ring Of Fire, Extreme Challenge, All Fighting Championships, and Xtreme Kage Kombat.

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

Jake: Like most fighters, I started out as a fan of the sport.  I watched my friend Sean Wilson fight in the VFC (Victory Fighting Championships).  It was a good production, and I was a "tough guy" and said, "Hey, I can do that."  I started training kickboxing with my teammate Ryan Jensen and Jiu-Jitsu with Vaghi purple belt Ed Shobe.  I took a few fights, did well, and was hooked ever since.

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

Jake: My uncle Stu and my family really influenced me growing up.  I was thirteen when my uncle was involved in a tragic accident, and after losing a best friend, you grow up pretty quickly.  I have a twin brother named Joe that has been a coach of wrestling and a training partner for me, since we would fight since day one.

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

Jake: My advice to anyone who looks to compete in MMA is to find the best trainers and coaches, from boxing and wrestling to Jiu-Jitsu.  Also, good training partners will be a good start and a great work ethic is a great recipe for success.  MMA is a highly disciplined sport like any other professional sport and in order to succeed, you must be a hard worker.

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

Jake: I think the accomplishment, which would be winning, is the most satisfying to me.  It makes all the hard work worth it.

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

Jake: I highly respect fighters like Matt Lindland, Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, B.J. Penn, and Chael Sonnen.  Guys that represent the sport in such a professional manner and probably have the best work ethics I've seen.

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

Jake: Normal training is boxing, wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu three times a week at different times.  Strength and conditioning twice a week, MMA position sparring three times a week, and two hard sparring sessions with 16 ounce gloves and head gear twice a week.  We do a lot of MMA sparring at Team Quest.  "Bad situations" is an important part, in which a fighter starts out in a bad position and works out of it - so in a fight, they are more comfortable with that situation.

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

Jake: I love the outdoors, camping, fishing, ATVs, and being with my girl, Emily.

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

Jake: That's an intense question - I'd probably go skydiving and do some other crazy stuff.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Jake: I remember riding a three-wheeler when I was really young and ran right into the back of a truck hitch.  It busted my mouth.

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

Jake: I was in the U.S. Marine Corps.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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

You can also check out Jake Ellenberger in the following places:

Official Jake Ellenberger MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/jakeellenberger

Jake Ellenberger on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=13068

Jake Ellenberger Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=13068@@Jake%20Ellenberger

10 Questions With Dave Drago (by Darrick Patrick)

Dave Drago is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Combat In The Cage and Ring Of Combat.  At the time of this interview, he will be returning to the United States next month in June of 2008 to resume his MMA career.

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

Dave: That is a funny thing, I took it on as a bet.  I never actually thought I would do it.  With growing up training in several different martial arts styles, my friends would always say that I should do it.  I was watching the UFC and noticed that no one knows how to throw a jab.  So, my friend got me my first fight for Evolved Fighting out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  I walked in and three straight rights later, I walked out with my first knockout.  That was what started it all.

Darrick: What have you been up to since your last fight?

Dave: Since my last fight, I have had to take a step back and look at my training and conditioning.  For the last year I have been deployed to Kuwait with the National Guard where I have nothing but time to train and get healthy.  I've been training with everyone - Navy Boxing, Japanese Judo team, Korean TKD, and several other MMA fighters in the military here.  I have learned so much from so many different styles of fighters from all over the world.  Currently, I am looking for a good manager looking for a fighter that takes this career serious and has a "whatever it takes" mindset.  Also, setting up my fights for my return back home.

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

Dave: I think that the success of my uncle, Bruce Drago, is what influenced me growing up.  Now, he is in the Black Belt Hall of Fame.  Soon, I will be too.

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

Dave: It is not easy, but it is a life changer!  Physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Push yourself and take pride in what you do.  Never quit.

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

Dave: Knowing that I pushed myself and I was able to do things I have thought I was able of doing.

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

Dave: B.J. Penn because he is a down-to-earth kind of guy and doesn't let it all get to his head like some people do.  Bas Rutten - I got a chance to meet him in Atlantic City, New Jersey and he seems to always be willing to give advice.  He is a down-to-earth guy.

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

Dave: Well, anything on the extreme side of things.  It seems that if it isn't a little dangerous, I will just get bored and move on.  Except golf!  I love golfing, but on a bad day it can be a little dangerous playing with me.

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

Dave: I would like people to remember me for who I was, not really what I was.  The guy that is always there when you need him.  The one you can count on.  Oh yeah, a UFC champ would be cool too!

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Dave: I think it was when I was about five years old, I fell into the pool and couldn't swim.  My brother, who was seven years old, jumped in and pulled me out.  It was a near death experience.

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

Dave: I have competed in Geneva, Switzerland in the BJJ European Championship for the Grand Championship back in 2002.  Also, I received my Purple belt in BJJ from the German National Team while stationed in Darmstadt, Germany in 2001.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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

You can also check out Dave Drago in the following places:

Official Dave Drago MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/davedrago

Dave Drago on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=17852