10 Questions With David Rickels (3/27/2012)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With David Rickels (by Darrick Patrick)

David "The Caveman" Rickels is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Bellator Fighting Championships, Strike King Combat, Friday Night Fights, Eye Win Sports, and C3 Fights. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match was originally intended to be with Brian Foster but will now be against Jordan Smith in the first round of the sixth season welterweight tournament of Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 63 on March 30th, 2012.

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

David: Well, I grew up in a small town outside of Wichita, Kansas called Derby. A suburbia type area and I couldn't of asked for a better upbringing. To sum up the area though, one year our city was in the top ten per capita for MIC (minors in consumption of alcohol). So, there was definitely a lot of partying. I got into a lot of street fights...but ya' know, it was the kind of thing where you beat the shit out of each other, shook hands, and went on your way. Or woke up from a hangover and realized you had no reason to fight.

I wrestled a couple years. I didn't really get into it too much, but I did okay. It ended up that a buddy from the wrestling team told me about a Jiu-Jitsu gym. My first class was with Eric Payne, who choked out Duane Ludwig in I believe ten seconds or so. He taught me a lot of my core/basics of Jiu-Jitsu. I decided to try out the Muay Thai class and got the shit beat out of me for a while by Doug Edwards, but ended up loving it. I also got it from Andy Zerger, my first coach out of JMTK. He could possibly be the funniest, best, and most underrated kickboxing coach of all time.

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

David: I would say take it slow. Get as much training in all areas as you can. Also, get as many amateur experiences as you can. If I could go back, I'd do more amateur boxing, kickboxing, and Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. Hell, maybe even some Karate.

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

David: Eric Payne, Josh Neer, the Diaz brothers, Joe Wilk, and Chris Leben. All those guys are some big influences on me. I currently live and train with Joe Wilk, and he's kind of my life coach at times. Funny in it's own way. Those people though, man, all in their seperate ways influence me.

The Diaz brothers are monsters who walk their own path, talk shit, and take it from no one. Josh Neer I met recently and have been hearing his name for years. That guy has who knows how many fights, underground and mainstream, is a true pioneer. Mirko Cro Cop though was probably my first and biggest influence. He is who made me want to kickbox and fight MMA. I was a huge PRIDE fan. The first video I ever saw of Mirko was shown to me by my Japanese buddy, Scott Miller. He showed me a highlight of his, and I've been a fan of MMA and his left leg ever since.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight was initially against Brian Foster, but is now with Jordan Smith on March 30th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

David: Yeah, I was frustrated when I found out my opponent got changed. Brian Foster is a tough fight for any 170-pound fighter. Stylistically though, I'd been training for him and felt ready for that fight. Now that fight is with Jordan Smith, who is 17-2. As I told my trainer, when that cage door closes it doesn't matter who is in front of me. I'm going to fight like I've been training and that's like a beast. He's a lefty, we both like to stand up and bang, and he's been through some wars. I'm definitely ready for one.

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

David: I'd say the most fulfillment I receive from martial arts is self-discipline and happiness. I've had problems with mental discipline in the past. Doing stuff like drinking close to fights and going out to party. I've skated by in past fights doing so and I knew I had to make some changes to compete at this level. I moved out to Manhattan, Kansas and I live with Joe Wilk and few other fighters out of Combative Sports Center. He understands where I'm coming from, helping me to stay on the right track and get the best out of my time while training.

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

David: My father had a huge impact on my life. I lived in such an insane manner until I was around eighteen years old, drinking and what not. My parents ended up getting a divorce. You know, the way he dealt with that and other things in my life made me reflect on some of the things he'd been trying to teach me while growing up. I literally consider my father some kind of saint. He's helped me out in so many jams, always having hope in me even when I had lost it in myself.

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

David: I'm basically into video games, food, and beer. All in moderation, of course. I am very much a nerd when it comes to video games, at a level to which I used to buy and sell items from a popular computer game called Diablo II. Gluttony though is definitely a sin of mine. I like to do food challenges. Joe Wilk and I have a few videos out there of us doing food challenges. We want to start a show called Food Fights where we challenge other fighters to competitive eating.

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

David: Wolverine because he's a badass. I wish I could heal myself like he does, and I guess cutting stuff in half with those claws would be awesome too. His attitude is really where it's at though. He acts like things don't phase him, but on the inside you know he really cares about his fellow X-Men. He has made some mistakes but for the most part still tries to make the "right" choices.

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

David: I used to watch Dragonball Z, and Pokemon was awesome. I watch a lot of anime on my Netflix. And no, not the porn kind.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

David: My oldest memory is probably of me driving with my grandma and other family members. I recall complaining about how thirsty I was. I said, "I'm so thirsty I could die". This being a long drive and hot outside, my grandma replies, "Well, go ahead and die then". If you knew my grandma, you knew this was something seldom. She was churchgoing and a lovely lady. I'm sure she's looked down on me a few times and thought, "What the hell?"

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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

You can also check out David Rickels in the following places:

Official David Rickels Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/drickels1

Official David Rickels Twitter Area:

http://www.twitter.com/thecaveman316

David Rickels on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/David-Rickels-36198

David Rickels Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/36198