10 Questions With Joe Cronin (6/30/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Joe Cronin (by Darrick Patrick)

Joe "The Show" Cronin is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Rage In The Cage, Call To Arms, Midwest Cage Combat, Wild Bill's Fight Night, and the International Fighting Organization. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Eric Regan for the welterweight championship in Rage In The Cage at RITC 130 on July 18th, 2009.

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

Joe: My journey started out wrestling in high school and then transitioned into fighting in the street. I got into trouble for that soon enough and began to train in martial arts, which I found very humbling and also released stress. I am a real competitive person, so I have always wanted to compete throughout my career to see where I was at.

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

Joe: I was raised by my mom and she influenced me the most in life. She raised both my sister and I while working three jobs at the time to support us.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Eric Regan on July 18th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Joe: I feel the best that I have ever felt about a fight before. Eric is going to have his hands full. I feel really comfortable on my feet and on the ground. I can see myself winning all three rounds comfortably, unless I knock him out or tap him before that.

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

Joe: Winning a big fight is the most fulfilling aspect for me.

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

Joe: I respect Randy Couture very much - he is all about looking out for the best interests of future fighters. He does not want anyone going through what he went through, such as fighting for petty cash. He is also a really good and exciting fighter.

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

Joe: Get yourself into a local mixed martial arts gym that other MMA fighters are training at. Then test yourself against them and see where you stand. Being a mixed martial artist doesn't come from watching the UFC, it comes from years of training. Competing against other fighters during that training is what will determine when you are ready. Don't get discouraged if they kick your butt though, more than likely they have years of training under their belt.

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

Joe: I love to go camping, play video games, ride quads, enjoy boating, and of course spending time with my girlfriend and family.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Joe: I can remember living in Maryland when I was three years old.

Darrick: If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Joe: The first one would to be able to buy my mom a nice house that was fully paid off. She has been through a lot and she deserves it. The second wish is that my girlfriend and I get married, have a nice house and car, and live happily ever after. We have been dating for a year and it has been a rough road. I think the hard part is over though and we are on the way to my wish. The last wish is that professional MMA athletes get paid a minimum amount of money to fight. For example, it could be something like $10,000 and you also get to be covered with medical insurance. I believe true mixed martial artists work the hardest in professional sports and don't get paid what they deserve. The average pro hockey player gets paid something like one million dollars a year. More people watch mixed martial arts than hockey anymore and the average MMA fighter probably gets around $15,000 a year. That's not even including all of the smaller shows that want to pay you two hundred dollars a fight.

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

Joe: When I was younger I got a felony from street fighting at a teen club and it has delayed a lot of things in my life.

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 Joe Cronin in the following places:

Official Joe Cronin MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/joetheshowcronin

Joe Cronin on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/joe-cronin-3546

Joe Cronin Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/3546