10 Questions With Ryan Stout (12/17/2008)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Ryan Stout (by Darrick Patrick)

Ryan "Baki" Stout is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as King Of The Cage, International Fighting Championship, Ultimate Fight Series, Gracie Fighting Championships, Midwest MMA Challenge, Battle Of New Orleans, Extreme Combat Challenge, International Cage Combat, Pancrase, Extreme Shootfighting, Cage Warriors Challenge, and Extreme Challenge. At the time of this interview, he will next be competing in the ADCC West-Coast US Trials which will begin on January 17th, 2009.

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

Ryan: I've always been involved with martial arts and fighting since I was very young. I watched all the Van Damme and Bruce Lee movies I could get my hands on. I've always loved and played sports for as long as I can remember and I thought I wanted to play pro football. That was until I was thirteen and saw the first UFC on tape, then watched UFC 2 on pay-per-view. I was hooked! My intuition told me that this was going to be the biggest sport in the world and right then I made a promise to myself that I would do this when I got old enough. I started training Judo/Jiu-Jitsu at the local YMCA and NHB (what we called it in the old days) with Jack McGlaughlin - who was my first trainer and he fought in UFC 6. All through high school I trained in "MMA" and always trained in all the arts while competing in as many different tourneys as possible. From Judo to sport Jiu-Jitsu tourneys to freestyle wrestling and even Tae Kwon Do, I did it all to help my martial arts skills.

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

Ryan: First and foremost, my mother. She has believed in me since day one. Next would be my grandma and grandpa - I miss you both! For MMA, which is my life, I'd have to go with Royce Gracie, Don Frye, and Frank Shamrock. I used to go to bed watching the same old UFC tapes every night. We didn't have two or three new/live fight cards on each week to watch back in the '90s.

Darrick: You're currently training for the ADCC West-Coast US Trials beginning on January 17th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming event?

Ryan: I've always wanted to do ADCC since I was eighteen. I have known I could win the world championship for the last few years, but the timing was always off for me to try and get in. I've competed against a few ADCC champs and I know I can beat them. I lost by two points to Jeff Monson earlier this year at the Arnolds and I know if I get a rematch the outcome will be different. I also lost to Xande by points, so I'm very hungry. I stay in better shape more than ever now that my MMA academy is open and running strong. All of my Fightopians help push me and I know what level I need to be at. I'm very excited to do the trials and I've never competed if I thought I was going to lose. I believe I will be doing a seminar out in So-Cal after the trials as well.

Darrick: For those who aren't familiar with Fightopia THE MMA Academy and Fightopia Clothing, what's the scoop with that?

Ryan: Fightopia THE MMA Academy is something that I have wanted and have had many dreams about. I have trained at my gyms/schools/academies and helped teach many fighters along the way. I've always wanted my own school and I finally have it. I opened Fightopia private about three plus years ago with my friend and student Johny Conner. It was in his garage and there was only a few of us a night. Now we have Fightopia THE MMA Academy, a public MMA school that is located at the Miami Valley Centre Mall in Piqua, Ohio. Piqua is my hometown and is twenty miles north of Dayton. Johny Conner runs Fightopia Clothing and we have a few different shirts, hoodies, etc. - we are building this ourselves with no backing, but we are getting a great response and selling what we do get. Someday soon you will see fighters in the UFC wearing Fightopia or fighting out of Fightopia!

Darrick: On December 20th, you'll be putting on a mixed martial arts seminar with all proceeds benefiting Toys for Tots. What are the details about this seminar?

Ryan: This will be my first toy drive and I'm very excited about it. The seminar will focus on Jiu-Jitsu/MMA techniques and will be from noon to 3:00 p.m. The cost is a toy worth $10 or more and all the toys go to Toys for Tots. The seminar will be held at the MVC Mall in Piqua, Ohio right across from The Buckle. All levels of training are welcome. I'll do two hours or so of teaching, then have an open mat/roll. That night, Fightopia is hosting my 30th birthday party and we are doing a fundraiser as part of it. Actually, it is an extravaganza. Live music from some up-and-coming local artists such as Traxtar, Dex, Eric D, and others along with a West Water/Legitimate Music CD release. I'm having lots of door prizes and raffles to help make money for a local autistic child in need. The cost is $5 with all door proceeds going to help that child and their family.

Darrick: Along with Prime Fights, Inc. you will be co-promoting your first show on February 28th. What can we expect to see from this event?

Ryan: I've been promoting MMA in some way or another for over half my life, so doing/having my own show is a long time coming. I'm just starting to put the card together, but I promise a night of great fights and entertainment. I'm looking to build a powerful fight promotion that will get fighters where they need to be and make the fans very happy.

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

Ryan: My life revolves around MMA, but music and Ohio State football helps me take my mind off of it.

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

Ryan: What I'm working on now is what I'm the proudest of. I've never been more focused in my life. I know what I want and I'm getting it. I feel like I can make a difference in the world and I am.

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

Ryan: That's a hard one...maybe that I believe in the Law of One. I believe that everything is connected and we are all from the same source. We are all energy vibrating at different speeds. Although now we are getting into some other subjects to talk about. That's for a future interview!

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Ryan: Riding my Big Wheel at my grandparent's place in Englewood, Ohio. I remember smiling and being a happy lil' kid. Everyone is welcome to check out my MySpace page for more info on myself, my school, and promotion. Thank you all for your interest and have a Merry Christmas!

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 Ryan Stout in the following places:

Official Ryan Stout MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/ryanstoutmma

Ryan Stout on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Ryan-Stout-762

Ryan Stout Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/762