10 Questions With Ryan Thomas (9/15/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Ryan Thomas (by Darrick Patrick)

Ryan "The Tank Engine" Thomas is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Extreme Challenge, Bellator Fighting Championships, War in the Yard, American Fighting Association, Courage Fighting Championships, Mainstream MMA, Dragons Cage, 2 Hot 2 Handle, and MMA Genesis. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Jim Wallhead in Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 32 on October 14th, 2010.

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

Ryan: I am one of those "wrestlers turned to MMA". After a successful high school wrestling career, I wrestled at Waubonsee Community College where I was a national qualifier twice. I then transferred to Eastern Illinois University where I wrestled for a year before the program was cut. Still wanting to compete, I started training in mixed martial arts with my EIU wrestling coaches Clay French (KOTC champ), Derrick Noble (UFC veteran), EIU wrestling teammates Chase Beebe (WEC champ), Kevin Knabjian (TUF contestant), and Kenny Robertson (UFC contender). I was fortunate to be surrounded by such a great group of guys so early in my MMA career.

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

Ryan: If you haven't already graduated high school, then join the wrestling team. It helps not only with your wrestling ability for mixed martial arts, but you also learn how to cut weight properly and it can even help with mental toughness. Next, find a gym or gyms that teach Muay Thai and/or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Don't take your first fight until your coaches say you're ready.

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

Ryan: My coaches Master Liborio, Master Conan, Chad Steinbaugh, Jeremy Harminson, and Butch Reffett to name a few. I also look up to Georges St-Pierre (GSP) because of the way he conducts himself as a professional. He is humble and great for the sport.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Jim Wallhead on October 14th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Ryan: Wallhead is going to be tough as hell! He is a complete fighter and is very dangerous. He is a quick striker with great Judo, wrestling, and ground-and-pound. I'm just going to have to be better than him on October 14th.

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

Ryan: I love testing myself day in and day out. MMA in particular is the purest form of competition and I like the satisfaction of overcoming goals that I have set out for myself. I have not even scratched the surface with all there is to learn in this sport and it's something that I want to continue doing for a very long time.

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

Ryan: My dad was a big influence on me growing up and I wouldn't have made it this far without him. He ingrained a hard work ethic in me by example and by pushing me. My father worked 60 to 70 hours a week for as long as I can remember, doing hard labor to put food on our table growing up. I have six brothers and sisters and he would rarely miss one of our sporting events. He went all over the country watching me wrestle and hasn't missed a fight.

He had me practicing my wrestling with the high schoolers starting in sixth grade. The high schoolers roughed me up pretty good in practice because they didn't want to be beat by a younger kid. I would always have dried blood in my nose and a fat lip from them crossfacing me. I would practice with them for two hours and then stick around for another two hours of youth practice. It was really hard on me at the time, but looking back now I know that he was just helping me reach my full potential and learn to be responsible at a younger age. It helped me become the driven person that I am today and embedded a lot of "fight" in me.

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

Ryan: I love spending time with my little brothers and nephew. I also like to wakeboard and play poker with my friends back in Illinois.

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

Ryan: I have a weak stomach for blood and needles. I hope I don't have too bloody of a fight with Wallhead. (Laughs)

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Ryan: Fishing just about every day as a kid with my grandfather. Our boat even sank on a fishing trip in Canada when I was about four years old. He was my best friend as a kid and he would have been my biggest fan today.

Darrick: If you were the last person alive on Earth, what do you think you'd do to entertain yourself?

Ryan: I would probably grow a mullet and just lay around, living off cake and ice cream. I'd resemble "Big Country". (Laughs)

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 Ryan Thomas in the following places:

Official Ryan Thomas Website:

http://www.thetankengine.net

Official Ryan Thomas MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/eiu184wrestler

Official Ryan Thomas Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=31108558

Official Ryan Thomas Twitter Area:

http://www.twitter.com/RyanTankThomas

Ryan Thomas on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Ryan-Thomas-20224

Ryan Thomas Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/20224