10 Questions With Virgil Lozano (4/1/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Virgil Lozano (by Darrick Patrick)

Virgil "The Mexican Machine" Lozano is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Cage Of Fire, MMA Fighting Challenge, and World Mixed Martial Arts Association. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Hector Lombard in Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 3 on April 17th, 2009.

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

Virgil: I have always liked and played different sports. Although after I tried my first submission class at Ken Shamrock's Lion's Den in San Diego, California - I thought to myself that this is the sport for me. I was really good at it since the beginning, so I started climbing up the school ranks. Finally after six months, I did the fighter tryout to see if I could become part of the fighting team and I made it. Eight months after my first class I had my first professional fight and since then I have made MMA a huge part of my life.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Hector Lombard on April 17th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Virgil: I have waited a long time for this opportunity and now I finally got it. I am training extremely hard for this fight and I feel really good physically and mentally. I have a lot of really good guys helping me out for this fight in both Tijuana and San Diego. I feel no pressure at all for this fight because he is the one that everybody expects to win. He is the guy that has the impressive record and that everyone talks about, but in the ring he is just another person like me. He feels pain, he gets tired, and most importantly he is not invincible. So, I am very excited for this fight.

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

Virgil: Randy Couture, GSP, and Lyoto Machida because they respect themselves, respect other fighters, and respect the sport. They never have any excuses when they lose and don't talk shit to their opponents before or after their fights. I also like the fact that they are very intelligent fighters. Being a fighter is not just about hitting and breaking things, you also need to prepare a strategy for battle.

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

Virgil: Go ahead and get to it. This sport gives you a lot of physical and mental benefits that can help you grow in your life.

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

Virgil: My mother - I really admire her.

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

Virgil: I have always seen MMA for me like personal growth, every fight I have I feel like something inside me grows. It comes from when I have tough moments in a fight. Like when I feel really tired, get hurt by a punch, or I am trying to get out of a submission while feeling exhausted. Controlling my mind and not giving up in those kind of moments tell me that I am capable of overcoming any problem that there may be in my life.

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

Virgil: Being with my family, girlfriend, friends, working, and hanging out with my Pug, Shogun. He is the coolest dog ever. (Laughs) I like to spend my time being around people that I care about and that care about me.

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

Virgil: I am a very easygoing and loyal guy. A lot of people when they get to know me can't believe that I fight because I am always so relaxed and have a very calm personality, but I love the fighting and competition.

Darrick: If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Virgil: Hmmm, I don't know. That is a tough one. I suppose the first thing would be good health so that I can keep fighting and practicing this sport for a long time to come. The second wish would be for money so that I wouldn't have to split my time between work and training. The third one would have to be being able to go on big, long vacations.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Virgil: When I was around three years old, I got lost in a shopping mall for about two hours in Bonita, California. When my mom found me, she was crying and scared. I didn't know what to do and had been trying to talk in English to the people in the store. (Laughs)

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 Virgil Lozano in the following places:

Official Virgil Lozano MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/themexicanmachine

Virgil Lozano on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Virgil-Lozano-2219