10 Questions With Shawn Klarcyk (7/6/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Shawn Klarcyk (by Darrick Patrick)

Shawn Klarcyk is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in the Palace Fighting Championship organization at events such as High Stakes, Explosive, A Night Of Champions, Step Up, and No Retreat, No Surrender. He has also competed at Gladiator Challenge shows in Rampage, Headhunters, Alpha Dog Challenge, Knuckle Up, Hell Storm, Top Gunz, and All Stars. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Shawn Bias in Palace Fighting Championship at PFC: Best of Both Worlds III on July 16th, 2009.

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

Shawn: I have been into wrestling ever since I was old enough to wrestle. I met my wife and the owners of Ground and Pound Fight Gear are her sister and brother-in-law. We would go to the fights with them and that's where I met my manager Richard Goodman and my coach Paul Estrada. It all just started from there.

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

Shawn: Train hard, be prepared for your fights, and try not to cut too much weight because it takes the fun out of it. Also, make sure you have the right people looking out for you.

Darrick: Who is someone in the sport that you highly respect?

Shawn: I respect any fighter who is willing to sacrifice their time to train and sacrifice their body to this sport. Anyone who steps into the ring or cage has my respect.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Shawn Bias on July 16th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Shawn: Well, I was originally scheduled to fight Jorge Evangelista. He is a very tough fighter and also the former PFC champion at 145 pounds, so I'm prepared to fight anybody at this point. I'm ready to fight. I wasn't going to turn anyone down, so I am ready for Shawn Bias who is also a former 145 PFC champion. Shawn's a good fighter and we get along great, but we are both looking to get paid. It's nothing personal, it's just part of the game.

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

Shawn: Besides learning every day, getting paid after all of the hard work and time I put in away from my family is the most fulfilling part to me.

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

Shawn: I grew up respecting my wrestling coach Tim Vanni who was also an Olympian wrestler. He kept me on the right path, not only in the gym but outside of the wrestling room as well. He took me to a lot of wrestling camps across the United States. He was really like a father figure to me. There are so many things I can say about why Tim Vanni was influential to me, but mainly if it wasn't for him I could definitely be in a completely different place in my life. I am also very grateful to my mother Kimberly Metcalfe who adopted me when I was a freshman in high school. Thanks, Kim.

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

Shawn: When I'm not at the gym or in the ring, I spend my time with my wife and kids. From going to Disneyland a couple of times a year to playing with the water hose in the yard, they are the reason I compete in this sport and everything I do is for them.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Shawn: I don't really like to remember the old memories. I had a tough childhood while I was growing up, so I like to make my own new memories with my family. Two recent memories I have that I like to remember is the birth of my two sons. It makes me proud to know that they will be able to carry on the Klarcyk name and tradition. Another great memory is of the overwhelming feeling of becoming the first ever PFC Bantamweight champion. It was the best feeling ever. No words can describe how it feels when your hard work pays off.

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

Shawn: Like I mentioned in a previous answer, I am married. My wife and I have been married for four years and we have two sons, one of them is four years old and the other is two. I also have a full-time job outside of fighting. I work Monday through Friday and also train every night after I get off of work.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Shawn: Wow, I have never thought about that before. Thinking about it right now I will have to say I would want to be remembered as an honest, faithful husband and as a great father figure to my kids.

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 Shawn Klarcyk in the following places:

Official Shawn Klarcyk MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/klarcyks

Shawn Klarcyk on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Shawn-Klarcyk-15347

Shawn Klarcyk Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/15347