10 Questions With Charlie Brenneman (2/19/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Charlie Brenneman (by Darrick Patrick)

Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Ring Of Combat, ShoXC, Extreme Challenge, Valley Fight League, Iron Will Fighting Championship, and United States Fight League. He is also the winner of the first season of the television show Pros vs. Joes. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Jason High in the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC Fight Night 21: Florian vs. Gomi on March 31st, 2010.

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

Charlie: I had been a wrestler my entire life, finishing up my college career at Lock Haven University with a top twelve finish at D-I Nationals. That fueled my desire to continue competing. Since I can't play basketball, and I'm not very fast, fighting was the most logical thing.

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

Charlie: If you want to be serious and try to make a life out of it, you really have to make sacrifices. I left a great job in my hometown to pursue fighting. You have to check your ego at the door and realize that you're the novice. I went from twenty years of wrestling to zero years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and stand-up. It was humbling, but you have to keep your eye on the end result.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Jason High on March 31st. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Charlie: The way I see it, we are two talented fighters looking to make our mark. He is very strong, athletic, and has very good technique to go with it. We're both talented wrestlers, so whoever is the better all-around fighter that night will get the victory.

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

Charlie: Eddie Alvarez, Frankie Edgar, and Chris Liguori are three fighters who really influenced me early on. Not just physically as a fighter, but they taught me a lot about the business of fighting too. Frankie is soon to fight for a UFC title, and he is the same kid I knew in college wrestling - nothing's changed in his mind.

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

Charlie: The personal challenge. To look at fear straight in the eyes and attack it head on. It takes a lot to get in the cage with a well-trained professional fighter who is looking to take your head off. That mental capacity allows me to feel extremely content with myself as a person.

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

Charlie: It's like a virus. It will be everywhere.

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

Charlie: I taught Spanish for three years (hence the nickname "The Spaniard"), so I love the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. I'm an avid reader as well.

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

Charlie: My highest and lowest moments in life have been in the sport of wrestling. You train your whole life for one purpose, and when that opportunity passes, it's gone forever. One of the best moments in my life was at the D-I Nationals my senior season of wrestling. My career was so-so to that point, but everything came together that weekend. I did just about as well as I could have, coming one match from All-American status. At that point, I thought my competition days were over. I had no idea that I'd one day be fighting.

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

Charlie: I was a reality TV "star" - I won the first season of Pros vs. Joes on Spike TV. And yes, at that time I was a "Joe". I didn't start fighting until a year or two later.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Charlie: As far as athletic memories, one of the oldest ones that I have is of getting pinned in nineteen seconds during my very first wrestling match. Thankfully, I didn't quit.

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 Charlie Brenneman in the following places:

Official Charlie Brenneman Website:

http://www.charlie-brenneman.com

Official Charlie Brenneman MySpace Page:

http://www.myspace.com/cbrenneman

Official Charlie Brenneman Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Charlie-Brenneman/684295605

Official Charlie Brenneman Twitter Area:

http://twitter.com/SpaniardMMA

Official Charlie Brenneman YouTube Page:

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

Charlie Brenneman on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Charlie-Brenneman-23403