10 Questions With Evan DeLong (7/13/2009)
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:44 pm
10 Questions With Evan DeLong (by Darrick Patrick)
Evan "The Matrix" DeLong is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Iron Will Fighting Championship, Full Contact Fight Series, All Star Boxing, 5 River Productions, North American Allied Fight Series, and Freestyle Cage Fighting. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Jason Meaders in the Long Beach Fight Night organization at LBFN 5 on July 19th, 2009.
Darrick: How did you end up competing professionally in mixed martial arts?
Evan: I was born and raised in a small town in Indiana. At the age of ten, I got into boxing because my older brother and cousin were both into boxing. My step-dad used to watch mixed martial arts and I started watching it with him. I was off and on with boxing, but I always knew that I wanted more than just boxing. Throughout high school I was involved in many different sports including cross country, football, and basketball. I was about halfway through my senior year in high school in December of 2006 and I hadn't made any plans for what I was going to do after I graduated. The only possible plan I had in mind was joining the military, but then my older brother told me about a MMA gym in a nearby town. I decided to try it out and I've been training ever since.
Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?
Evan: I have the most respect for my coach Erik Paulson. He has a strong work ethic and he has so much knowledge about every aspect of MMA. I appreciate the fact that he is willing to share his experience and expertise with me and the other fighters in our gym. I also have respect for all of the fighters in the sport who make the sacrifices to put in the work that it takes to be successful while also staying humble.
Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to train in MMA?
Evan: My best advice is to find a good gym and learn as much as you can. Make sure that you always stay focused and stay positive no matter what the situation.
Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Jason Meaders on July 19th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?
Evan: I'm excited to have the opportunity to fight such an experienced fighter. This is going to be the toughest fight so far in my career. I'm looking forward to this match because I thrive on being able to fight skilled opponents who really test my MMA abilities. You have to fight the best to be the best.
Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?
Evan: One of the parts of mixed martial arts that brings me the most fulfillment is when I learn something new. I have to put a lot of work and discipline into perfecting it, but when I get it down and I see that it works in the cage it makes it all worth it.
Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?
Evan: My family definitely had a big impact on me. My older brother got me interested in boxing and also told me about the MMA gym where I began my career. I was also influenced by athletes like Michael Jordan who worked hard and found great success in their careers.
Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?
Evan: When I'm not training, I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend. We go to concerts (rock and alternative mostly), travel, play other sports, and watch movies. I also like to write, draw, and I plan on starting college next year probably for personal training and massage therapy.
Darrick: What comic book character do you relate to most?
Evan: I like Wolverine's story. He is able to rise above his situation and he is also an aggressive person which of course I can appreciate.
Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.
Evan: Well, maybe there is a reason people don't know! (Laughs) I'm actually kind of afraid of heights. My girlfriend wants us to go to Six Flags, but I really don't like roller coasters.
Darrick: What is your oldest memory?
Evan: I don't know how old I was, but it's from when I was a little kid. My grandma was chasing me, my brother, and our cousin around with holy water because she thought that we were acting crazy!
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 Evan DeLong in the following places:
Official Evan DeLong MySpace Profile:
http://www.myspace.com/maximumoverdrivedelong
Evan DeLong on Fight Finder:
http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Evan-Delong-27157
Evan "The Matrix" DeLong is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Iron Will Fighting Championship, Full Contact Fight Series, All Star Boxing, 5 River Productions, North American Allied Fight Series, and Freestyle Cage Fighting. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Jason Meaders in the Long Beach Fight Night organization at LBFN 5 on July 19th, 2009.
Darrick: How did you end up competing professionally in mixed martial arts?
Evan: I was born and raised in a small town in Indiana. At the age of ten, I got into boxing because my older brother and cousin were both into boxing. My step-dad used to watch mixed martial arts and I started watching it with him. I was off and on with boxing, but I always knew that I wanted more than just boxing. Throughout high school I was involved in many different sports including cross country, football, and basketball. I was about halfway through my senior year in high school in December of 2006 and I hadn't made any plans for what I was going to do after I graduated. The only possible plan I had in mind was joining the military, but then my older brother told me about a MMA gym in a nearby town. I decided to try it out and I've been training ever since.
Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?
Evan: I have the most respect for my coach Erik Paulson. He has a strong work ethic and he has so much knowledge about every aspect of MMA. I appreciate the fact that he is willing to share his experience and expertise with me and the other fighters in our gym. I also have respect for all of the fighters in the sport who make the sacrifices to put in the work that it takes to be successful while also staying humble.
Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to train in MMA?
Evan: My best advice is to find a good gym and learn as much as you can. Make sure that you always stay focused and stay positive no matter what the situation.
Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Jason Meaders on July 19th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?
Evan: I'm excited to have the opportunity to fight such an experienced fighter. This is going to be the toughest fight so far in my career. I'm looking forward to this match because I thrive on being able to fight skilled opponents who really test my MMA abilities. You have to fight the best to be the best.
Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?
Evan: One of the parts of mixed martial arts that brings me the most fulfillment is when I learn something new. I have to put a lot of work and discipline into perfecting it, but when I get it down and I see that it works in the cage it makes it all worth it.
Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?
Evan: My family definitely had a big impact on me. My older brother got me interested in boxing and also told me about the MMA gym where I began my career. I was also influenced by athletes like Michael Jordan who worked hard and found great success in their careers.
Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?
Evan: When I'm not training, I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend. We go to concerts (rock and alternative mostly), travel, play other sports, and watch movies. I also like to write, draw, and I plan on starting college next year probably for personal training and massage therapy.
Darrick: What comic book character do you relate to most?
Evan: I like Wolverine's story. He is able to rise above his situation and he is also an aggressive person which of course I can appreciate.
Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.
Evan: Well, maybe there is a reason people don't know! (Laughs) I'm actually kind of afraid of heights. My girlfriend wants us to go to Six Flags, but I really don't like roller coasters.
Darrick: What is your oldest memory?
Evan: I don't know how old I was, but it's from when I was a little kid. My grandma was chasing me, my brother, and our cousin around with holy water because she thought that we were acting crazy!
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 Evan DeLong in the following places:
Official Evan DeLong MySpace Profile:
http://www.myspace.com/maximumoverdrivedelong
Evan DeLong on Fight Finder:
http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Evan-Delong-27157