10 Questions With Cleburn Walker (5/14/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Cleburn Walker (by Darrick Patrick)

Cleburn "The Spartan" Walker is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Freestyle Cage Fighting, Urban Rumble Championships, Bloody Knuckles Promotions, Xp3, Pro Battle MMA, and Big Link Entertainment. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Mike Bronzoulis in Urban Rumble Championships at URC 4 on May 23rd, 2009.

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

Cleburn: When I was a little kid, I always wanted to grow up and be a famous boxer. I thought Tyson was the coolest thing ever! So that's what sewed the seed in me to fight professionally. The reason I truly got serious about martial arts though was because of a street fight I had gotten into. I was sixteen years old, weighed 130 pounds, and got into it with a guy who was thirty-six years old and had just been released from prison the week before. Needless to say, I lost badly. Immediately after that, I decided I was going to transform myself into a total badass.

Unfortunately, there were absolutely no training facilities in my town. Even if there were, I was too poor to have been able to attend them. So, I thought about it and asked myself, "Who was the best fighter of all time?" Bruce Lee, of course! I bought some books about him and one of the books I bought was a complete record of all his personal training regimens he did throughout his life. So, I immediately started doing everything that he did. It wasn't long before I was bigger, stronger, and in better shape than everyone else around me. Fast forward a few years later to when I was expecting the birth of my first child. I was a Marine at the time and it occured to me that I was going to need to be able to make a much better living in order to best serve my kids. My first thought was to go to college like everyone else and get a real job. Then I figured instead of starting all over on something new that I wouldn't like, I should just make good use of the past five years of dedicated effort and put it towards doing something that I love.

Around that time, I noticed the UFC was now on TV and was completely different from what I remembered. No more of Keith Hackney's punching guys in the balls repeatedly while wearing sweat pants and a tank top. I wasn't a fan of that stuff at all. Now these guys were professional athletes and sophisticated fighters. I knew immediately that I could achieve anything I wanted in this sport. So, as soon as I could get out of the Marines, I came home and took a pro fight without a single day of training under my belt. Then, I found my way to Travis Lutter's place a month later and I haven't looked back since.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Mike Bronzoulis on May 23rd. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Cleburn: I'm extremely excited since it's my first fight at 170. It's also my first real title fight and his only loss is to a guy I stopped in the first round during my third fight. In fact, that guy was so embarrassed by that loss that he quit fighting and joined the Navy after I beat him. I'm sure Mike is going to be extremely confident, so I may not be able to get into his head - which is something that I think has helped me win most, if not all, of my fights. I hope I don't sound arrogant, but I feel that if I bring my "A" game then Mike won't be able to touch me. I'm pretty sure that I will enjoy a huge physical advantage, as well as the advantage of having training partners like Travis Lutter, Justin Wren, Alex Andrade, Buddy Clinton, Jeff Owen, and list of other established world class talent. These guys push me so hard every day that up to this point I have made every opponent I've fought seem like nothing more than a tackling dummy for me to practice on. I'm extremely grateful to be around the guys that I train with.

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

Cleburn: Since we are all products of our environment to some degree, it would only be fair to say that everyone has influenced me in some way. Honestly though, during my whole life I didn't really listen to anyone that I was around. I was usually obediant and respectful, but quietly I always felt that deep down I knew better than anyone else about how I should live my life. My biggest influence growing up was myself and my drive to learn as much about my mind and body as possible.

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

Cleburn: If they are simply looking to train, then I would say find someone with legit credentials and a positive atmosphere at the gym. Then get started immediately and watch your life begin to improve! For someone looking to fight in MMA, I'd say always remember that you won't be living some surreal dream life. This is a real life full of many challenges and hardships. The utmost in dedication and work ethic are absolutely essential to even having a shot in mixed martial arts. You also need to be lucky from time to time, so praying won't hurt!

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

Cleburn: First off, Travis Lutter. Before I ever met him, I always respected his no-nonsense approach to the whole thing. Since I've been training with him, I respect him even more. Not only for his abilities as a fighter, but for his insight as a man that has found success in life on his terms. I have also always been and still am a fan of Chuck Liddell. This is a sport where people have the option to avoid being hit in the face by simply taking your opponent down. I love the fact that Liddell, who is a very talented wrestler, actually chose to duke it out his entire career. That takes tremendous courage that few people will ever realize.

Although this may sound cheesy or cliché, I am completely in awe of every fighter that came before me. Guys out there like I mentioned such as Hackney, Shamrock, Royce, and any other fighters around the world who fought with no gloves, no weight classes, no limits, and all of the other crazy things that have gone on during the earlier days of mixed martial arts. All of that was for so very little money back in the day that the pay should have been a crime. Yet, they poured their hearts, soul, and lives into this sport. It all ultimately generated the kind of fan base and financial success that gives young guys like me the opportunity to actually make a living, although modest, doing something that we love to do. Which of course is to train and compete.

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

Cleburn: On a personal level, I like the simplicity of my lifestyle. I watch what I eat, I spend lots of time with my kids, and I get to see myself improve just a little bit every day on some part of my game. I also really love the camaraderie that you develop amongst training partners and other fighters.

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

Cleburn: My kids are at the top of the list. Other than that, I used to race a lot, ride my Harley all over Texas just to get alone time, and play a lot of guitar. I have also always been into constantly improving my level of fitness. Since I have no hobbies though, only things I pursue with great passion, I have put many of my interests on the side until my fighting runs it's course. When that happens you can expect to see me to do things that wouldn't make much sense for a fighter to do. There is plenty of time in life. If a person started early and never slowed down, it would be possible to live many great lives all during this one shot that you have on Earth.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Cleburn: I remember being around three years old watching Total Recall with my dad. (Laughs) There is a scene at the start of the movie where Arnold is working the jackhammer and his huge arms were bouncing up and down. I somehow correlated construction work with being able to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. So, I told my dad when I grow up I wanted to be a construction worker. Not realizing what I meant was, "I want to look like Arnold." He said, "You better think of something better than that to do for a living."

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

Cleburn: I once crushed a man's skull with my bare hands. For real, it happened!

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?

Cleburn: I would take a gorgeous woman, a musical instrument, and a pistol. I think I would get bored really fast and be ready to go pretty quick!

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 Cleburn Walker in the following places:

Official Cleburn Walker MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/cleburn

Cleburn Walker on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Cleburn-Walker-21227