10 Questions With Jameel Massouh (7/24/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Jameel Massouh (by Darrick Patrick)

Jameel "The Real Deal" Massouh is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as World Extreme Cagefighting, Pancrase, Gekitotsu, Freestyle Combat Challenge, Adrenaline MMA, Hardcore Championship Fighting, EVO MMA, Madtown Throwdown, FightForce, and Diesel Fighting Championships. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Leonard Garcia in World Extreme Cagefighting at WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles on August 9th, 2009.

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

Jameel: Martial arts have always been an interest of mine. I wrestled in junior high, and in high school I joined a Karate Club and pursued that for awhile. After learning about mixed martial arts and the UFC, I eventually found a good MMA gym in my hometown of Kenosha, Wisconsin at Dave Strasser's Freestyle Academy. That was about six years ago before the sport was very popular. It was love at first sight and I've broadened my game since then with boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu. Thankfully I have had the opportunity to compete professionally around the world for the last few years.

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

Jameel: Ten years from now, MMA will easily be the most competitive sport out there. Especially since today's kids are the learning the basics of Jiu-Jitsu/kickboxing/etc. and will have so much more time to understand and develop techniques. Mixed martial arts is still very young and there are few people who can claim that they have trained MMA since they were a kid, or even just Jiu-Jitsu for that matter. When pros can start claiming that, MMA will have a whole new level of professionalism. Also, it'll definitely become a mainstream sport. The way that mixed martial arts has exploded, it's not just a fad. If the integrity of the sport and the fighters can be maintained, it has the potential to be as big, if not bigger, than boxing used to be.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Leonard Garcia on August 9th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Jameel: This fight is going to be awesome. Obviously, Leonard is very well known for his KO power and his ability to go the distance. Personally, it is a great opportunity to show the world that I belong in the WEC among the elite fighters of the 145 pound division. I'm just looking forward to getting in there and getting it on. My training camp has been long and extensive, probably the best one I have ever had to be honest. So, this fight is just going to be fun - plain and simple. We're both talented, both hungry, and both coming off of losses. The WEC knew what they were doing when they put this one together.

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

Jameel: The way MMA is today, dedication is the most important factor. I see fighters with tons of potential come and go, walking in and out of the gym all of the time. The people who put their time in consistently are the ones that make it to the big show. Heart in the cage matters, but heart in the gym is invaluable.

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

Jameel: Obviously, I have a lot of respect for my head coach Dave Strasser because he has helped pioneer the sport where I live in Wisconsin and he's competed for a very long time. He has taught me what it takes to become a great fighter. I also highly respect Lyoto Machida for making Karate cool again. (Laughs) No, but seriously, he has proven that all things in our sport are possible and has shown how important the mental game is during a fight. I think that he is an artist, not just an athlete, when it comes to this sport.

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

Jameel: Just the ability it provides me to test myself in every way. Psychologically, physically, and whatever else there is.

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

Jameel: I am a man of many interests. However, I am a History/Education major, so I also substitute teach when I am not training for a fight and I love American history. I also love great movies, quality food, spending time relaxing outside, and enjoying time with my friends and family.

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

Jameel: Like I mentioned for the last question, I have a college degree in History/Secondary Education and I am actually certified to teach history in Illinois.

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

Jameel: The first wish is that I had the time and money to visit anywhere in the world as much as I wanted to. The second one would be that I had the time or money to get a Masters or doctorate degree in anything. And lastly, I'd wish for world peace. As for the reasoning? Well, I chose the first two because I am selfish and love traveling and learning. The third wish - who wouldn't like a little world peace? I mean seriously, as tacky or cliché as that sounds, you have to wish for it if you have three wishes.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Jameel: Hmmm...this one is tricky. It would probably be sitting in the living room with my dad watching TV or something when I was three or four years old.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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You can also check out Jameel Massouh in the following places:

Official Jameel Massouh MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/jameelmassouh

Jameel Massouh on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/jameel-massouh-12257

Jameel Massouh Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/12257