10 Questions With Nick Newell (1/11/2011)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Nick Newell (by Darrick Patrick)

"Notorious" Nick Newell is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Cage Fighting Xtreme, International Combat Entertainment, and Triumph Promotions. Aside from his currently undefeated record, Nick has also been garnering extra attention from the MMA community due to the congenital amputation of his left arm. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Billy Walsh in Cage Titans Fighting Championship at CTFC: Mayhem on January 28th, 2011.

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

Nick: When I was a kid, all the things I loved involved kicking ass. I loved pro wrestling and used to wrestle around with my friends all the time because we thought it was real. I wore a Ghostbusters jumpsuit 24/7 and used to try to get into manholes because I wanted to be a Ninja Turtle.

Once I found out pro wrestling was staged, I was kind of pissed and wanted to do real wrestling but I put it off until high school. When I got to college, I found out about MMA and fell in love with it. I started training in-between wrestling seasons and once I finished wrestling in college I started training MMA year-round. I got the itch to compete and the rest is history.

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

Nick: If it’s something you really want to do, and if you’re willing to put in the work and you have the heart, then yeah - you could fight. If you just want people to think you're tough or you want to impress chicks, then go lift some biceps and learn how to dance or something. Being tough is something you're born with and most chicks don’t watch MMA.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Billy Walsh on January 28th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Nick: Your next fight is always your most important, so I am training hard. It’s been ten months since my last fight and I have had to deal with a lot of bullshit with people backing out of fights last minute, not showing up to weigh-ins, and being turned down on fights more than a nerdy kid trying to find a prom date.

Billy knows he's in for a fight and I hear he has been training hard for this fight. He’s coming off a quick first round submission win and is with a new camp where I hear he has been training pretty hard. He took a fight that nobody else wanted, so he’s got some balls. At the end of the day though I'll be the one with my hand raised. I'm going to dominate Billy Walsh and everyone will have another reason to duck me.

Darrick: For people who aren't familiar with you, some may be surprised to learn of the congenital amputation of your left arm combined with your career in professional MMA. Pertaining to mixed martial arts, do you feel as if your left arm can be an advantage, disadvantage, or both?

Nick: It has it's advantages and disadvantages. I have found a lot of ways around things. I couldn't really tell you how much easier things would be with two hands because I have been like this all my life. The only thing that really sucks is nobody wants to fight the guy with one hand.

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

Nick: I like people who always come to fight. Guys like Dan Henderson, Chris Lytle, Abi Mestre, and Urijah Faber because they are as tough as nails. I have respect for a lot of other fighters too, but those are just some that come to mind immediately.

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

Nick: It's something I really enjoy, so it’s not like a chore to me. Training is fun and it’s a great feeling to win a fight, almost a surreal out-of-body experience. I really hope one day I have the opportunity to do this full-time, but the absolute most fulfilling part is when people say I inspire them to follow their goals. I'd like to eventually work with people with disabilities and help them overcome any physical and physiological hurdles that they may be facing.

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

Nick: When I was a kid, I used to play all kinds of sports. Since I'm now either training or working all the time though, I really just like to chill when I have time. Eating is my favorite thing to do. After this fight, I might go do some food challenges. I also like going out to do karaoke, I can't sing for shit but it’s fun. I used to play Mario Kart 64 but I recently got a Xbox 360. I really like Dead Rising 2 but I don't have a lot of time to play it.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Nick: Wow! I can't really answer that one. One time as a kid though I was at a McDonald's Playland for my friend's birthday and this kid got his head stuck in-between two metal bars. He was crying and I remember thinking that was pretty funny.

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

Nick: My favorite sport I played as a kid was baseball. I really looked up to Jim Abbott and I was a multiple time all-star as a second baseman. I’m also really good at air hockey and Connect Four, very rarely do I lose in either. I also am looking to start running some grappling tournaments, my first one will be January 22nd in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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

Nick: Graduating college in 2008. I have a severe case of attention deficit disorder and it’s really hard for me to pay attention and apply myself to anything that’s not hands-on because my brain just goes in so many different directions. I worked really hard to earn that degree and it's definitely my proudest moment.

Lastly, I would like to give some shout-outs. First to my head coach Jeremy Libiszewski for all the extra time and effort he's put into making me the fighter I am and his school Fighting Arts Academy in Springfield, Massachusetts. Ultimate MMA in North Haven, Connecticut, Lou Figueroa at CrossFit Concept in Orange, Connecticut for strength and conditioning, my friends, my family, and last but not least my lovely managers Tim and BG of Combat Sports Agency. Everyone is welcome to keep up with me at http://www.twitter.com/notoriousnewell as well.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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

You can also check out Nick Newell in the following places:

Official Nick Newell MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/newell1032

Official Nick Newell Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/ngnewell

Official Nick Newell Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Notorious-Nick-Newell/287901655374

Official Nick Newell Twitter Area:

http://www.twitter.com/notoriousnewell

Nick Newell on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Nick-Newell-59502