10 Questions With Anthony Leone (5/6/2012)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Anthony Leone (by Darrick Patrick)

Anthony Leone is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Strikeforce, World Extreme Cagefighting, Bellator Fighting Championships, New England Fights, Xtreme Fight Events, Blood Brothers MMA, World Cagefighting Alliance, Raging Wolf, PA Fighting Championships, Rumble on the Rock, World Championship Fighting, Xtreme Championship Fight League, and Cage Fight MMA. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Claudio Ledesma in Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 68 on May 11th, 2012.

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

Anthony: My journey towards MMA has probably always been with me. I packed my bags at the age of twenty to go to Hilo, Hawaii to train at B.J. Penn's school. That's where I took the first step and haven't looked back.

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

Anthony: If you are passionate about anything in life and really love it, then go for it. Not just a little bit either, you have to love it more than anything. You can't go wrong if you love what you do every day.

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

Anthony: I respect everyone in the sport who puts in the time and hard work. I especially respect my coaches for working with me and my training partners for helping me prepare for each fight.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Claudio Ledesma on May 11th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Anthony: I am extremely excited for this bout. I respect him as an opponent and I am prepared in every way for my fight with Ledesma.

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

Anthony: The desire to be great. To push myself more than I could of ever thought. I realize that we have the chance to really express ourselves in the cage and be completely free out there if we let ourselves. That is the most exciting part.

Darrick: Where could you possibly see the future of the sport ten years from now?

Anthony: Legal in New York...hopefully.

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

Anthony: I am a gym rat, but I do have two hobbies I love to do. Play the guitar, and surf. I don't get to surf as much as I used to being that I am in Upstate New York, so I play guitar a lot. Team BombSquad actually has a small band in the making right now called Los Fellas. It's Brian Kelleher, Evan Velez, Kenny Foster, Aljo, and myself. We just mess around really but it's some of the funniest times with those guys just messing around making some songs. The other night, we made some songs about all our coaches and just making fun with them. Good times.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Anthony: My mom and I are pranksters. I get it from her. Well, she was driving me to summer camp when I was about four or five years old. The night before it poured rain, so the streets had huge puddles. It was a nice summer day out, and there was this man parked on the side of the road with his window down. There was a huge puddle next to him on his driver's side. While my mom was driving, she looks at me and says, "Watch this." Then she drives right into the puddle. A huge wave came up right into this guy's car. I will never forget that guy's face as it happened and how evil my mom can be. (Smiles)

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

Anthony: I have never been in a street fight in my life.

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

Anthony: I am proud to be going for my dream every day.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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

You can also check out Anthony Leone in the following places:

Official Anthony Leone Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/anthonymma

Anthony Leone on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Anthony-Leone-40387

Anthony Leone Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/40387