10 Questions With David Espinosa (12/2/2008)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With David Espinosa (by Darrick Patrick)

David "Kid Dynamite" Espinosa is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Cage Combat Fighting Championships, Gladiator Challenge, X-treme Fighting Championships, Total Combat, and Palace Fighting Championship. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Rick McCorkell at Gladiator Challenge: Revolution on January 25th, 2009.

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

David: I began competitively wrestling at the age of eight. I went on to become a California state place winner and a five-year Division 1 wrestler for UC Davis. While training with the Aggies, I became good friends with teammate Urijah Faber. Already a huge fan of MMA, watching Urijah compete in the cage inspired me to follow suit and take my athleticism to a professional level. Immediately following my last season on the wrestling mat, I moved in with Faber and began training as a mixed martial artist. The rest is history in the making!

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

David: My greatest influences have definitely come from within my own family. From my parents and siblings to my aunts and uncles, my family has always been a huge support. It sounds kind of crazy, but I don't think my dad has ever missed a wrestling match or a fight of mine. I also come from a long line of combative athletes. One of my grandfathers wrestled, the other boxed, my dad was a high level martial artist and amateur boxer, and my older brother was a standout high school wrestler. In my family, you fight.

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

David: Being able to wake up every morning and do what I love to do is the greatest fulfillment I could ever ask for. Of course the training is hard work - but when you love something, the work becomes easy.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Rick McCorkell on January 25th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

David: McCorkell and I are hooking it up for the Gladiator Challenge Bantamweight World Title. So, there's a lot on the line come January 25th. I plan on stepping into the cage and letting my fists explode. We'll see if he's got an answer.

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

David: GSP, Randy Couture, and Urijah Faber are for sure my top three. In my opinion, St. Pierre is the most technical fighter in the game. He's a class act who continues to improve. He out-strikes the best strikers and out-grapples the best grapplers. Moving on, Randy is probably the most respectable face in MMA period. You can't not like this guy. Not only is he a well-spoken and an all-around nice guy, but he has compiled five UFC World Titles and is one of the only fighters to ever hold the belt in two different weight classes. Finally, Urijah Faber has been a huge supporter and mentor of mine since I got into the sport. Aside from helping me out on a personal level, he has proven to be one of the most explosive, innovative, and well-conditioned fighters that has ever stepped foot in the cage.

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

David: If you're in it for the money, get out. (Laughs)

Darrick: Outside of competitive fighting, what are your other interests?

David: When I get the time, I love paddling out with my boys and catching some waves. I'm also into old school choppers. Since I started fighting, I've been putting a little money from each purse towards a rigid frame chopper my brother's helping me piece together. Aside from that, I like camping, hunting, fishing, and art.

Darrick: If you were stuck in a bomb shelter for the rest of your life, what three items would you take in with you besides food and water?

David: My beautiful fiancee, a computer with wireless internet, and a heavy bag.

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

David: When I was a kid, I used to have really long hair. At wrestling tournaments I would pull it back into one long braid, pull it up over my head and tuck it into my headgear. Rock and Roll.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

David: Hanging out with my grandma at her house in Mentone Beach. She's a cool old lady.

I just want to thank Darrick Patrick for doing this interview, Kaage International and Triumph United for the solid gear hook-up, my manager Todd Lawley for all of his help, and all of my coaches at Pacific Martial Arts who continue to share their knowledge.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out David Espinosa in the following places:

Official David Espinosa MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/oceanminded

David Espinosa on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/David-Espinosa-20662

David Espinosa Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/20662