10 Questions With Anthony Pettis (3/22/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Anthony Pettis (by Darrick Patrick)

Anthony "Showtime" Pettis is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in the Gladiators Cage Fighting organization in events such as Season's Beatings, Knockout Kings, Fight Club, and The Warriors. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Anthony Njokuani in World Extreme Cagefighting at WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki on April 5th, 2009.

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

Anthony: I've been doing martial arts since the age of five. I started with Tae Kwon Do and boxing. Martial arts was mainly a way for me to stay out of trouble. Eventually, I felt like I had learned all that I could from Tae Kwon Do, so I wanted to try something else. That's when I met Duke Roufus. I started Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu at his gym and fell in love with them. I already had some martial arts experience, so I picked up really fast. I had my first amateur fight with only two months of training and I have had ten fights since then. I am undefeated in all of them with only one going out of the first round and I went professional after only three amateur matches.

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

Anthony: My older brother and I run a Tae Kwon Do/MMA gym, so I would say just passing on the knowledge that I have to my students and knowing that I am keeping kids out of trouble while giving them the same opportunities that I had when I was young. I also have a little brother who is fifteen years old that looks up to me. He already has four amateur fights and he is undefeated as well. He has a really bright future in front of him in MMA. Our father was killed in a house robbery in 2003 - he was stabbed and didn't make it. So, it makes me feel great that I can be a good role model for my younger brother.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Anthony Njokuani on April 5th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Anthony: This is the biggest fight of my life. I even stopped teaching so that I can put all of my focus into training. I've gotten ten times better already. I will be ready for a war on April 5th, 2009. I finally have a chance to show the world what I can do.

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

Anthony: I respect everyone in this sport. It takes a certain type of person to train in mixed martial arts, but I would have to say the main person for me is my coach Duke Roufus. He put me where I am today and without him I wouldn't be doing this interview right now. He put a lot of time into me and I will always respect him as a coach and as a friend.

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

Anthony: Dream big and set your goals high. The only person that can beat you is yourself.

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

Anthony: My father was my hero. Just like all kids, I thought my dad was a superhero. He taught me a lot of life lessons that I still use today. When he was killed, I didn't know what I would do. I quit martial arts for almost a year because it didn't feel the same without him. I kind of lost my direction in life, but I knew that he wanted me to become something great. So, I wanted to make him proud and that's when I really came back and hit it hard. R.I.P. Dad!

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

Anthony: Business, basketball, family, and girls.

Darrick: If you were stuck in the middle of an ocean with only three items, what would they be?

Anthony: A cellphone so that I could try to call for help. Red Bull because I love Red Bull and it gives you wings. Also, my mother. Yeah, I'm a momma's boy.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Anthony: My earliest memories is when my dad and I would watch boxing. He would ask me, "Is that going to be you one day?" and I remember that feeling I would have when I said yes.

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

Anthony: Most people don't know that at my first Tae Kwon Do class I ran out crying because I was embarassed to wear a Gi. Now, I run my own martial arts gym.

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 Anthony Pettis in the following places:

Official Anthony Pettis MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/a_pettis

Anthony Pettis on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Anthony-Pettis-26627