10 Questions With Nate Schut (3/5/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Nate Schut (by Darrick Patrick)

Nate "The Missile" Schut is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Cage Fighting Xtreme, Extreme Challenge, Minnesota Combat Sports, Brutaal, Extreme Fighting Xtreme, and Dakota Fighting Championships. At the time of this interview, his next fight was originally intended to be against Marshall Martin in King Of The Cage at KOTC: Ice Age today on March 5th. However, his next scheduled match will now be against Mike Richman in a co-promoted event by Xtreme Kombat League and Cage Fighting Xtreme at XKL: Evolution 2 - Mayhem on April 24th, 2010. This show was initially titled CFX: Mayhem in Minneapolis.

Darrick: How did you end up competing professionally in mixed martial arts?

Nate: I have wrestled since I was four years old and did well on the high school level, participating in the state tournament three times and placing twice. I placed sixth as a junior and third as a senior, only losing to a five-time state champ. I then went to Ridgewater College and placed sixth in the nation my freshman year. I qualified for nationals my sophomore year and didn't place. Then, I transferred to St. Cloud State where I was a national qualifier and one match away from being an All-American. I was ranked all year during my senior year and suffered a knee injury two weeks before the national tournament. I then went onto MMA because I knew I wasn't done competing. I have loved every minute of it.

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

Nate: The person that I respect the most as a fighter and as a person is Brock Larson. I train with him on a daily basis and couldn't ask for anyone better. Matt Hughes is also one of my favorites.

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

Nate: My advice would be to make sure that you really want to do this sport and if you choose to pursue mixed martial arts, don't do it half-ass. Give everything that you have and don't look back.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match was supposed to be against Marshall Martin today on March 5th. What happened with this fight and when can we expect to see you next?

Nate: I was scheduled to fight here on the 5th, but I coach wrestling for Buffalo High School and this is the same weekend as the state tournament. My next fight is now at the Target Center on April 24th against undefeated Mike Richman. Should be a great fight! I know that I'm a better fighter and I'm ready to prove that.

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

Nate: I love competing and I love training everyday. This is a way for me to make money doing something that I love. My wife and daughter keep me motivated as well.

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

Nate: My parents influenced me a lot as I was growing up. Also, my first college coaches Troy Haglund and Paul Arens were very influential on my wrestling career. These guys are the ones that instilled my intensity into me.

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

Nate: Other than martial arts, I love spending time with my wife and watching my one-year-old daughter grow up. I'm also an avid hunter and love to be outdoors.

Darrick: If you lost one of your senses, which could you stand to be without?

Nate: I'm not really sure which of my senses I could be without. I know which one I couldn't be without though. The sense of touch would be the worst to lose because everything that I do requires some kind of touch.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Nate: It's not my oldest one, but my best memory is the birth of my daughter. She is truly an inspiration to me.

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

Nate: I also work at a group home and I love taking care of disabled individuals.

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 Nate Schut in the following places:

Official Nate Schut Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Nathan-Schut/649489918

Nate Schut Facebook Fan Group:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5007708863&ref=mf

Nate Schut on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Nathan-Schut-22513