10 Questions With Travis Lutter (5/4/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Travis Lutter (by Darrick Patrick)

Travis "The Serial Killer" Lutter is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, International Freestyle Fighting, Cage Rage, European Vale Tudo, HOOKnSHOOT, United States Mixed Martial Arts, and Power Ring Warriors. He is also the winner of the fourth season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match was intended to be in the Maximum Fighting Championship organization at MFC 21: Hard Knocks on May 15th, 2009. Due to the lack of an opponent however, Lutter will not be competing at this event.

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

Travis: I grew up wrestling in grade school and took it into college a bit. Then the new UFC started and I decided I had to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Eventually, I moved to Texas to train with Carlos Machado and I guess the rest is history.

Darrick: Who is someone that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Travis: My cousin Bryan Lutter and I grew up together competing against each other whenever we could, in whatever we could, and I really think that is the reason that I am as competitive as I am. To this day, we still talk a couple of times a week and we are business partners. We live a few states away from each other, but have remained close.

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

Travis: Concentrate on the basics.

Darrick: It has been rumored that you were supposed to compete at MFC 21 on May 15th. What's the scoop with that?

Travis: We had everything worked out, but it fell through when I couldn't get an opponent to sign and fight me. It is tough trying to get a fight right now. A lot of shows went out of business, so there aren't as many places to fight as there used to be. I am lucky that I have my schools. If I would have had to live off what I made fighting, I would have starved to death a long time ago.

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

Travis: I really enjoy training - just the process of trying to improve and evolve.

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

Travis: I am a big fan of Chuck Liddell. He has had a couple of bumps in his last few fights, but he is always so nice and down to earth.

Darrick: Outside of martial arts, what are your other interests?

Travis: I have a son and he is ten years old. He just started boxing - doesn't want to do BJJ, just boxing for now. I also ride motorcycles, it's my other passion. I have a ZX-10R, ZX-12R, Honda 600RR, Honda 450 four wheeler, and a KTM 450. Kind of obsessive, but they're a lot of fun. If I ever had to get rid of them, it would really suck.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Travis: I'm not sure. I got hit in the head too many times and can't remember that far back. (Laughs)

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

Travis: I am basically an open book, so there aren't too many secrets to tell.

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

Travis: As a good dad and as a person that had a good time.

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 Travis Lutter in the following places:

Official Travis Lutter Website:

http://www.travislutter.com

Official Travis Lutter MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/travislutter

Travis Lutter on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Travis-Lutter-4586

Travis Lutter Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/4586