10 Questions With Woody Weatherby (8/9/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Woody Weatherby (by Darrick Patrick)

Woody "The Dynasty" Weatherby is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as World Championship Fighting, Reality Fighting, World Fighting League, and Combat Zone events such as Cage Masters, Take Control, and In The Cage 2.

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

Woody: I have been fighting for pretty much my entire life, whether it was in the streets or at school. I got into boxing when I was younger to channel that aggression into something positive. I never went to a professional level, but when I went to the Navy I went 13-3 as an amateur on base and around some gyms in Seattle. I've never been one to start fights, I was just never the one to be pushed over.

Darrick: Generally speaking, what does a typical training session for you consist of?

Woody: I work eight hours at the Hillsborough County Jail in Manchester, New Hampshire each day, so I'm out at 3:00 p.m. and in the gym by four o'clock hitting weights and doing cardio. I head home for dinner by six in the evening and depending on the day I then go to Jiu-Jitsu or MMA training. Each of those sessions are about two hours long and consist of more cardio, plyos, pad work, and sparring. If it's a fight camp, there are days when it's full sparring for five 5-minute rounds with me in the middle and a new body every round. That's a bitch. (Laughs) Then, I'm home to eat again and get to bed by around 10:30 at night.

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

Woody: I'm pretty straight forward when it comes to the advice, so I apologize if it comes out harsh. Seriously though, there is training MMA and there is fighting MMA. I believe anyone can train in mixed martial arts up to a certain level, but after that it goes to fighting. It can be the best workout of your life, but to train to fight you need to do so much more than just show up to a class and train. That includes conditioning, diet, cross training, and pretty much getting your ass kicked day in and day out by people who are better than you. For example, anytime I feel like I'm on my game, I go to Sityodtong in Somerville, Massachusetts and get worked by some of the greatest fighters in the sport. I would say if you're going to start training, be dedicated and don't rush it. It's a long process to become a fighter. I'm still learning, but I do laugh at people who have never even been in a fight and all of a sudden want to be a "fighter"...it's not an easy sport.

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

Woody: I respect anyone who gets in the cage or ring, but locally I have a lot of respect for Kenny Florian, Keith Florian (Kenny's brother who is a nasty BJJ Black Belt), Jorge Rivera, Joe Lauzon, Marcus Davis, Greg Rebello, and Mark DellaGrotte - he trains all of the great fighters in New England and is just ridiculous at Muay Thai and crosstraining it for MMA. Also, my crew at Renzo Gracie NH, Kevin Landry, Tim Barchard, and the Team: John Benoit, Chris Grandmaison, Matt Smith, Justin Homsey, and Dan Bonnell. The list could go on and on because I have a lot of respect for fighters.

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

Woody: The challenge. It's the drive to be the best and see just how far you can push yourself.

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

Woody: I can truly say that I don't think I had any major influences growing up. I cared about my family and friends, but just tried to be me all of the time and didn't change for anybody. When I joined the Navy, I met a lot of people from around the country and I would say that's when I had some real influences. I admire a lot of people around me because I surround myself with real dudes and we all try to be the best at what we do. Whether it's bodybuilding, mixed martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or just having the most swagger.

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

Woody: I love to hit the weights, but mainly I enjoy swimming. I got nuts for water, man. It goes back to the Navy and my whole life really - I've been swimming since I was around five years old. I'm also thinking of one day trying to become a pro gamer. Naw, that's a joke, but nothing satisfies me more than gaming on a day off. And movies, bro. I can quote just about any movie.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Woody: Dude, I can remember kindergarten. I guess the main memory is of dancing as a firefighter at my kindergarten graduation to that song We Built This City. I may be in the wrong game now. (Hint, Hint)

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

Woody: I am a super metrosexual. (Laughs) Seriously though, I am about to be a dad next month in September to a baby girl.

Darrick: If you were stranded in the middle of an ocean with only three items, what would they be?

Woody: You're asking a Search and Rescue swimmer what he would have in the ocean? I would swim to land or die trying. The first thing I would take is fins and a goggle snorkel which is one item together. The second item is a strobe so that planes and boats could find me. Lastly, I would have a knife so that I could kill Jaws. If I was stuck on an island in the ocean, the first item would be a box of one hundred Big 100 bars by Metrix which is food for a hundred days. The other two things would be a knife and Kim Kardashian.

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 Woody Weatherby in the following places:

Official Woody Weatherby MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/bgwdy

Official Woody Weatherby Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/woody.weatherby

Woody Weatherby on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Woody-Weatherby-16198

Woody Weatherby Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/16198