10 Questions With Brett Cooper (4/1/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Brett Cooper (by Darrick Patrick)

Brett Cooper is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as the International Fight League, Affliction, Jungle Fight, Call To Arms, Shooto, Fight Force International, PureCombat, Total Fighting Alliance, Universal Above Ground Fighting, Total Combat, California Xtreme Fighting, and World Fighting Championships. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Steve Carl in the first round of the second season welterweight tournament of Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 15 on April 22nd, 2010.

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

Brett: I was always a competitive person and consistently competed in athletics at an early age. I also always watched combative movies with my dad and was a fan of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, etc. So, the way I came about fighting may be cliché - I always wanted to be a warrior. I would always run around with plastic swords and act like I was Rambo.

I eventually got my license to drive and my own car, so I started training in MMA with Tracy Hess at the Subfighter Academy in Long Beach. Tracy Hess merged with Antonio McKee’s Bodyshop and that’s where I have been training ever since. Both Tracy and Antonio have helped me out with many things and I am in debt to them for that.

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

Brett: I respect all fighters that are determined and continue to grow as both a fighter and as a person, despite whatever is happening. The only thing that is invincible is the spirit.

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

Brett: If you really want to make a career in this sport, the most important thing is to be determined. There will be obstacles that include losing and the test of spirit that you cannot get around.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Steve Carl on April 22nd. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Brett: Steve is a really tough opponent. I have met him before and seems like a nice guy, but it's all business inside the ring. It will be a great fight. I have no predictions, only that I will do my best.

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

Brett: Growth as a person and a competitor. I want to be a person/coach that people can look up to. You can't fight forever, so when I’m done I’ll pass on my knowledge to those willing to learn. I want to be able to guide my students not only in martial arts, but in life. I believe those truly go hand in hand though. To me it is a complete lifestyle.

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

Brett: Obviously my mom and dad had a huge impact on me growing up, so I'd say my parents had the most influence on me.

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

Brett: I enjoy hanging out with friends and family. I also just like to keep in shape, I’m a fitness fanatic. I enjoy doing anything that increases my performance in any way.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Brett: That is an interesting question. I would say my oldest memory would be of me eating playdough in my family's backyard or eating crickets in preschool on the playground.

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

Brett: Well, I’m the middle child. I have an older sister and a younger brother who is seventeen years old - and he is bigger than me. (Laughs)

Darrick: If you lost one of your senses, which could you stand to be without?

Brett: Another tough question. I really wouldn't want to lose any of them of course because every one of them has their purpose. If I had to pick one though, it would be either smell or taste because those two go hand in hand. A majority of taste is smell. I believe you can only taste five things - bitter, salty, sour, sweet, and savory. When you eat something the aroma from the food also alerts you to how the food is. So considering those two, I would say losing my sense of taste would be the one I would choose. Even though I love food.

I definitely wouldn't get rid of sight, vision is really important because your eyes are actually part of your brain. During the development as a baby your brain splits off two small parts which eventually become your eyes. So humans are very visual creatures. With that being said though, if you ever do lose any of your senses your other senses will highly develop to compensate.

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 Brett Cooper in the following places:

Official Brett Cooper MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/brettcoopermma

Official Brett Cooper Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=518571884

Official Brett Cooper Twitter Area:

http://twitter.com/brettcoopermma

Brett Cooper on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Brett-Cooper-14030

Brett Cooper Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/14030