10 Questions With Nuri Shakir (3/7/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Nuri Shakir (by Darrick Patrick)

Nuri Shakir is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the International Fighting Championship, Art Of War, World Championship Fighting, Battle Cage Xtreme, Cage Fury Fighting Championships, Freedom Fight, Combat Zone, APEX Championship Fighting, Reality Fighting, East Coast Fighting Alliance, MMA Presents, T.K.O. Riley's Fight Night, Absolute Fighting Championships, HOOKnSHOOT, United States Mixed Martial Arts, Tournament Fighting Championships, Dangerzone, and Gladiator Challenge. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Mike Dolce at World Championship Fighting 6 on March 14th, 2009.

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

Nuri: When I was thirteen years old, I trained in Judo and Kung Fu. I wanted a way back in 1992 to compete in both at the same time in a form that would be full contact. Then the UFC came out in 1993 and I was hooked. My Judo instructor thought I was crazy, but before the UFC I wanted to compete in the Sabaki Challenge (full contact, no glove, stand-up Karate). So, I trained in both and tried combining them on my one day off from training with my brother Glen on Friday nights at a college YMCA.

Darrick: Do you have any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?

Nuri: Train hard, train often, be smart, and fight for the love of the sport - not just for a paycheck or your ego.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Mike Dolce on March 14th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Nuri: Um, I really don't have too many thoughts about the fight. He seems like a tough guy that is learning a lot from experience on the job.

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

Nuri: That would be teaching people. I enjoy fighting, it is in my blood, but teaching them until they get good and watching someone see it for the first time satisfies me more than actually competing. Don't get me wrong now though. I love to fight and to train and I always will, but helping someone else progress is just as fulfilling.

Darrick: Where could you possibly see the future of the sport ten years from now?

Nuri: Hopefully and hopefully not like boxing. What I mean by that is that I hope we are such a mainstay for fighting that we are seen for what we are, the ultimate in fighting. At the same time though, minus the politics involved with boxing.

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

Nuri: My parents and my instructors.

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

Nuri: I love spending time with my family, playing paintball, gaming, and also sleeping. (Laughs)

Darrick: If you were the last person alive on Earth, what do you think you'd do to entertain yourself?

Nuri: I'd probably be studying the trees, the wildlife, etc.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Nuri: I have never thought about that - maybe playing tee ball as a kid.

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

Nuri: I don't know, I am not really sure what the majority of people don't know about me. Perhaps that I am a microbiologist.

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 Nuri Shakir in the following places:

Official Nuri Shakir Website:

http://www.nurishakir.com

Official Nuri Shakir MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/nurishakir

Nuri Shakir on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Nuri-Shakir-2431

Nuri Shakir Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/2431