10 Questions With Jesse Bongfeldt (12/3/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Jesse Bongfeldt (by Darrick Patrick)

Jesse "Water" Bongfeldt is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as King of the Cage, Canadian Fighting Championship, Rumble in the Cage, TKO Major League MMA, Hardcore Championship Fighting, Budo Reality Fight Series, Alliance Fighting Championships, Extreme Cage Combat, Ultimate Cage Wars, Extreme Fighting Challenge, Rites of Passage, World Freestyle Fighting, Roadhouse Rumble, AX Fighting Championships, Continental Fighting Championships, Take It By Force, Western Freestyle Championships, and Xtreme Fighting Challenge. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Rafael Natal in the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 124: St-Pierre vs. Koscheck 2 on December 11th, 2010.

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

Jesse: As a kid I always did martial arts and was born into it. Watching my family do Judo down the hill by the lake at the Judo club was an eye-opener for me. I watched the first UFC and then I was hooked. It's something that I did every day and was born to do.

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

Jesse: If you train every day, train smart, and put the time in - you will go far. No matter what your skill level is when you start. These things will pay off in all aspects of your life.

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

Jesse: The most important person would be my father. Watching his work ethic and comparing it to my own has always been a reality check.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Rafael Natal on December 11th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Jesse: I am very excited about my UFC debut. I look forward to fighting a skilled opponent and to be able to fight in my home country.

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

Jesse: Competition and victory.

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

Jesse: Aside from the major players in the sport, the people closest to me and the ones who have been with me along the way are the ones I respect the most. My manager Lee Mein and my trainer Chris Harper have been with me all along the way. Other people that I respect are the smaller promoters who put their life's work into their shows to build a grassroots scene that fighters can learn from.

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

Jesse: I like researching and writing about martial arts techniques, playing music, and spending time with my girl and my family.

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

Jesse: I love brussel sprouts.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Jesse: I remember being tossed around by my older brother and his Japanese Judo friend in the backyard.

Darrick: If you had superpowers, what would they be?

Jesse: I would want to be able to fly, so that when I fight I would be able to levitate.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://www.myspace.com/darrickpatrick/blog/343519835

You can also check out Jesse Bongfeldt in the following places:

Official Jesse Bongfeldt Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jesse-Bongfeldt/766748664

Jesse Bongfeldt on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jesse-Bongfeldt-6809