10 Questions With Jesse Taylor (1/12/2009)
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:19 pm
10 Questions With Jesse Taylor (by Darrick Patrick)
Jesse "JT Money" Taylor is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, King Of The Cage, Total Combat, MMA Xtreme, Melee On The Mountain, PRIMAL MMA, Tuff-N-Uff, and No Limits. He also appeared on the seventh season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter. At the time of this interview, his next two scheduled matches are against Rico Altamirano at a Warriors Cage event on January 15th, 2009 and with Steve Ramos at XCF: Rumble in Racetown 1 on February 14th, 2009.
Darrick: What was the journey that led you to competing professionally in mixed martial arts?
Jesse: I have always loved to fight ever since I was a child, it was just in me. I got into wrestling and it was my outlet. After college wrestling, I had the skill and was fortunate enough to compete - and make money for my family doing something that I love. Plus, nothing beats this kind of true competition.
Darrick: Who is someone in the sport that you highly respect?
Jesse: Dan Henderson because he's kind of someone that I look up to and train with on a daily basis. He trains hard all of the time and is a family man as well. He's a good role model too.
Darrick: You have a fight scheduled against Steve Ramos on February 14th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?
Jesse: I'm actually also fighting now on January 15th at Warriors Cage and I do not overlook my next opponent. I had two game opponents - one broke his jaw and one had to pull out for unspecified reasons. The other jumped in on two week's notice, so he has to be tough. I learned awhile ago to treat every fight as if I'm facing a world class fighter. I am sure the guy I fight this Thursday is very tough and has big balls. I will concentrate on doing what it takes to win this fight, then I will do the same with Steve Ramos. All I know is that I'm at welterweight and I feel great. I'm ready for anyone. Every guy I fight is no different for me, I do what it takes to impose my will and win the fight.
Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?
Jesse: Just do it. Train hard, play hard, just go for it, and put everything you have into it. If you fail, at least you know you tried. People make a lot of excuses for why they don't fight.
Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?
Jesse: My parents, sports heroes, coaches, and teachers.
Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?
Jesse: The competition - the thrill of giving it all and putting it all on the line in a way. Victory, honor, triumph, and glory are good fulfilling reasons as well.
Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?
Jesse: I enjoy hanging with my son, running, hiking up mountains, the beach, working out, skateboarding, spending time with friends and family, exploring life, reading lately, good movies, great food, music, and all of that good stuff. Fighting is my favorite though right after being with my son. Also, school is a major interest of mine. I'm three classes away from a B.S. degree in Science. One of these days I will finish!
Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.
Jesse: I read books now - I don't think people would expect that from me.
Darrick: If you had 24 hours left to live, how would you spend that time?
Jesse: "24 hours" is a metaphor for all of life. I would do what I'm doing now, this is how I live anyways.
Darrick: What is your oldest memory?
Jesse: I had to be about three years old and my friend/neighbor Bobby kept shooting me with a water gun in the face. I just got so mad and ran towards him swinging and crying. I hit him a couple of times, but he kept getting water in my face. I think he got me a good one in the nose as well. My mother came and broke it up.
FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835
You can also check out Jesse Taylor in the following places:
Official Jesse Taylor Website:
http://www.yojtmoney.com
Official Jesse Taylor MySpace Profile:
http://www.myspace.com/64961094
Jesse Taylor on Fight Finder:
http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jesse-Taylor-17389
Jesse Taylor Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:
http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/17389
Jesse "JT Money" Taylor is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, King Of The Cage, Total Combat, MMA Xtreme, Melee On The Mountain, PRIMAL MMA, Tuff-N-Uff, and No Limits. He also appeared on the seventh season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter. At the time of this interview, his next two scheduled matches are against Rico Altamirano at a Warriors Cage event on January 15th, 2009 and with Steve Ramos at XCF: Rumble in Racetown 1 on February 14th, 2009.
Darrick: What was the journey that led you to competing professionally in mixed martial arts?
Jesse: I have always loved to fight ever since I was a child, it was just in me. I got into wrestling and it was my outlet. After college wrestling, I had the skill and was fortunate enough to compete - and make money for my family doing something that I love. Plus, nothing beats this kind of true competition.
Darrick: Who is someone in the sport that you highly respect?
Jesse: Dan Henderson because he's kind of someone that I look up to and train with on a daily basis. He trains hard all of the time and is a family man as well. He's a good role model too.
Darrick: You have a fight scheduled against Steve Ramos on February 14th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?
Jesse: I'm actually also fighting now on January 15th at Warriors Cage and I do not overlook my next opponent. I had two game opponents - one broke his jaw and one had to pull out for unspecified reasons. The other jumped in on two week's notice, so he has to be tough. I learned awhile ago to treat every fight as if I'm facing a world class fighter. I am sure the guy I fight this Thursday is very tough and has big balls. I will concentrate on doing what it takes to win this fight, then I will do the same with Steve Ramos. All I know is that I'm at welterweight and I feel great. I'm ready for anyone. Every guy I fight is no different for me, I do what it takes to impose my will and win the fight.
Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?
Jesse: Just do it. Train hard, play hard, just go for it, and put everything you have into it. If you fail, at least you know you tried. People make a lot of excuses for why they don't fight.
Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?
Jesse: My parents, sports heroes, coaches, and teachers.
Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?
Jesse: The competition - the thrill of giving it all and putting it all on the line in a way. Victory, honor, triumph, and glory are good fulfilling reasons as well.
Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?
Jesse: I enjoy hanging with my son, running, hiking up mountains, the beach, working out, skateboarding, spending time with friends and family, exploring life, reading lately, good movies, great food, music, and all of that good stuff. Fighting is my favorite though right after being with my son. Also, school is a major interest of mine. I'm three classes away from a B.S. degree in Science. One of these days I will finish!
Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.
Jesse: I read books now - I don't think people would expect that from me.
Darrick: If you had 24 hours left to live, how would you spend that time?
Jesse: "24 hours" is a metaphor for all of life. I would do what I'm doing now, this is how I live anyways.
Darrick: What is your oldest memory?
Jesse: I had to be about three years old and my friend/neighbor Bobby kept shooting me with a water gun in the face. I just got so mad and ran towards him swinging and crying. I hit him a couple of times, but he kept getting water in my face. I think he got me a good one in the nose as well. My mother came and broke it up.
FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835
You can also check out Jesse Taylor in the following places:
Official Jesse Taylor Website:
http://www.yojtmoney.com
Official Jesse Taylor MySpace Profile:
http://www.myspace.com/64961094
Jesse Taylor on Fight Finder:
http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jesse-Taylor-17389
Jesse Taylor Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:
http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/17389