10 Questions With Morgan Sickinger (10/9/2008)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Morgan Sickinger (by Darrick Patrick)

"The Captain" Morgan Sickinger is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Combat USA, Freestyle Combat Challenge, and Titletown Combat Championship.

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

Morgan: My journey started out as a child when I was enrolled into a Karate class because my local area grade school did not allow any children below the age of six to wrestle. It was after about two years of Karate that my father decided to enroll me into the Manitowoc-Two Rivers Wisconsin area wrestling programs. I was enrolled into two different area grade school programs at that time. I then continued to wrestle all through high school and am currently completing my last season of college wrestling.

However, it was about four years ago that one of my good friends and old assistant high school coach Bret Duer competed in his first MMA competition for KTK. I was immediately interested and asked him how I could compete as well. He pretty much gave me the heads and said he thought I would be a great candidate for competing in this sport. I then competed in my first MMA competition for KTK and ended up beating Sam Thao, who was number six in the world, via rear naked choke. This match was at 145 pounds and at the time I had no idea or even knowledge as to how or when Sam Thao was going to go on to become as successful as he is today.

It is my belief that by me winning my first MMA competition I became addicted. I now train primarily through the summers and spring months as my off season conditioning for the collegiate wrestling season. I am planning after this season to begin training year round and see where my career will take me over the next couple of years.

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

Morgan: I would have to first off say my father Michael Sickinger and grandfather William Behnke, who both have greatly influenced my life simply due to all the hard work they have done over their entire lives. They have encouraged me to be successful in whatever I do - whether it is my college studies, wrestling, or me competing in a mixed martial arts competition. However, my mother is not too fond of it to this day, simply due to the injuries I have been through and still overcome to succeed. My dad still supports me, but has yet to step into a building when I compete due to a family choice. My other two influences are both my cornermen Bret Duer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and John Sitt of Chicago, Illinois. These two have helped me and been by my side for almost (if not all) of my competitions and would do anything if I asked them to.

Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?

Morgan: My normal training sessions are usually very intense and consist of lots of high intensity sprints, stand-up drills, ground and pound, various wrestling styles, BJJ, MMA conditioning classes, explosive weightlifting (not bodybuilding) and long cardio runs. I substitute various styles of MMA throughout the week during my different training seasons, so I can often accommodate what style of fighter I may be competing against in my upcoming competitions. I have learned that the more well-balanced of a fighter I am, the better I will become in any given situation that I may encounter.

Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to train in MMA?

Morgan: "Adversity causes some men to break and others to break records!" Which one will you pick? Also..."Obstacles will always come up, but how you choose to learn and overcome them is entirely up to you!" --- Morgan M. Sickinger

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

Morgan: I respect almost any mixed martial artist, as the common public is often not aware of all the dedication and time we actually put in to be successful at this professional sport. I also really respect Urijah Faber, Matt Hughes, Randy Couture, Rodrigo Vaghi, Michael DeRoehn (college WR coach), William Krieg (FVGC owner), Charles Gruber (FVGC coach), Ken Popelka (FVGC WR coach), Bret Duer, and John Sitt. I also would like to thank Fox Valley Grappling Club (FVGC) out of Appleton, Wisconsin for all their teachings and opportunities they have given me over the last couple of years.

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

Morgan: I believe I receive fulfillment out of my mixed martial arts career just due to the fact that I have another way to reach out to help others. I enjoy anything that takes lots of dedication, as well as seeing the fruits of all the hard work I put in day in and day out. I also believe it is one of the greatest stress relievers an individual can acquire both physically and mentally.

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

Morgan: I like to collect a lot of different things such as Marvel comic books, coins, and various wrestling t-shirts. I love to hunt deer, but often do not have a lot of time since it's during the wrestling season. I enjoy just being able to have a good time with friends - such as going out to dinners, movies, or sporting events. I also get a kick out of doing things that are high risk and often cause adrenaline rushes. I like to be very spontaneous and have excitement surround me at all times.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Morgan: Well, one of my oldest memories is a bit frightening due to it being a near death situation at the age of only a few months old. I guess I decided to venture away from my parent's house and into our dairy barn. Here I happened to be highly entertained with my parent's breeding bull. I suppose I decided to crawl on into his pen and began to play as if it were no big deal. My parents ended up finding me and were scared shitless as I was being sniffed up and eyed by the bull. It's a wonder or miracle as to why this bull didn't simply decide to trample me over or what not. I was basically the size of an ant to him.

Darrick: If you were stuck in a bomb shelter for the rest of your life, what three items would you take in with you besides food and water?

Morgan: I would bring with me the Holy Bible, a friend (male or female), and also a pen or pencil.

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

Morgan: I am a very compassionate and caring guy. I will put almost all other's problems or success before mine. It is my goal in life to improve all other's physical fitness, as well as mine, and to also use my life experiences and knowledge to benefit anyone that is willing to let me help.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out Morgan Sickinger in the following places:

Official Morgan Sickinger MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/captainmorgan141

Morgan Sickinger on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Morgan-Sickinger-22946