10 Questions With Lucas Gamaza (1/22/2011)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Lucas Gamaza (by Darrick Patrick)

Lucas Gamaza is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as ShoXC, Rebel Fights, and X-Fight Promotions. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against James Terry at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg on January 29th, 2011.

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

Lucas: When I was younger, I watched a lot of WWF and I would go down to Blockbuster to rent all the old WrestleMania events. After I had burned out and watched all of those, I noticed the old UFC movies right next to them. I figured that would do until a new WrestleMania came out. Holy crap, I loved it.

After following the UFC for a few years I saw a young fighter from Stockton, which was the next town over from where I lived. It was Nick Diaz armbarring Jeremy Jackson and I was pumped for him. A few Pay-Per-Views later he had been matched up against Robbie Lawler. I was a fan of Robbie and counted Nick out. When Nick knocked him out, I remember thinking, "I gotta' find that guy."

About a year later I met his cousin at a restaurant and she told me how to find the gym. I ended up going, learned a little Jiu-Jitsu, and was hooked. I became a regular and never stopped training. After becoming a full-fledged Jiu-Jitsu head, I started sparring and would hit the bags here and there with some coaching from Nick and Nathan.

Nick paid for a couple of us to get licensed with some of his own money. I had to fight. Not like I didn't want to, but I wanted to show Nick he didn't waste his money. My first fight was professional and I felt like I could've done better. I was hooked though and wanted to get better and better. It turned me on to a whole new lifestyle that just kept progressing. I'm now seriously training with the best in the world and wouldn't want to be on any other team.

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

Lucas: If you're in it for the money, you're tripping. You have to really have a passion for it. Long story short, finish school. As for MMA really, make sure you like training. Have fun learning and progressing in martial arts as a whole, not just cage fighting. It makes everyday life seem a lot less stressful. Never be scared to test yourself and always be confident in yourself and your skills.

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

Lucas: Nick and Nate Diaz, Jake Shields, and Gilbert Melendez because they bring the fight to every opponent and never back down from a challenge. Mad respect for my team.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against James Terry on January 29th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Lucas: I think James Terry is a tough dude and a good athlete, but I'm a better fighter. I believe that this is right where I should be, fighting tough fights.

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

Lucas: Constant progression as a martial artist and a good healthy lifestyle.

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

Lucas: I'd have to say both of my older brothers. I always thought they were pretty tough, so I had to be tough too.

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

Lucas: My son is number one. As far as hobbies and interests go, I enjoy skateboarding, tattoos and art, love a good concert, traveling is great (got a lot of that to do), chilling with my homies, exercise, eating, sleeping, and yeah, that's about it.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Lucas: I think my oldest memory is getting lost at Disneyland as a toddler. They found me by the tea cups. (Laughs)

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

Lucas: I'll drop pretty much anything I'm doing to watch an episode of COPS, even if it's an episode that's like twelve years old.

Darrick: What comic book character do you relate to most?

Lucas: I don't know that I relate to him, but I always liked Wolverine. He is always super pissed and comes back from an ass-whooping to beat the shit out of the baddest villains. He also smokes, drinks, and is a womanizer.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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

You can also check out Lucas Gamaza in the following places:

Official Lucas Gamaza Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001032923029

Lucas Gamaza on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Lucas-Gamaza-30725

Lucas Gamaza Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/30725