10 Questions With Tito Jones (9/27/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Tito Jones (by Darrick Patrick)

Tito Jones is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Strikeforce, Palace Fighting Championship, Cage Fighting Federation, and Rage In The Cage. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Michael McDonald in Tachi Palace Fights at TPF 1 on October 8th, 2009.

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

Tito: Martial arts have always been something that I was into ever since I was in third grade and saw my first Bruce Lee flick. I got into my first martial art which was Taekwondo and then many more arts followed that one. Next up was seeing the initial UFC events and the early Royce-era domination. After seeing that I was taken. "Wow, a modern day blood sport just like the Jean-Claude movies!" That was followed by the somewhat dark ages of the sport and led me to go to the next best thing which was boxing. I pursued boxing but right as I was about to take the plunge into the world of professional boxing, the new and improved UFC made it's comeback. I knew that this was my true love and I dove right in, head-first and following my heart. I could tell you about the adventures I've had in pursuing the sport that led me across the country from Florida to here in California, but that would be a novel. I'll save that for my book after I'm a champion and retired from the sport. (Laughs)

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

Tito: As I mentioned earlier, towards the sport it would mainly be Bruce Lee. Along with Roy Jones Sr., they taught me many valuable things about fighting that also apply to life - which is crazy because I was too young to realize many of those things at the time. I'm just figuring out now many years later that Bruce was somewhat of a father figure because I lost my father at an early age. A lot of things I had to figure out for myself though. My family of course is a driving factor too. They did their best to raise me correctly and I'm not in prison or dead, so they obviously did a great job!

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Michael McDonald on October 8th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Tito: I really don't have too many thoughts about this fight except for knowing that I will win.

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

Tito: I have finally came to a realization as to the true meaning of martial arts, as well as to how it applies to life in general. It is a true way to express yourself externally from within. Now I finally realize what Bruce was talking about in his lost interviews. The man was truly ahead of his time and one of enlightenment.

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

Tito: See it, believe it, know it!

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

Tito: Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Georges St-Pierre. They are all true artists and have figured out the successful formula in expressing their art form. When you watch them, it's not like many other fights. Especially not like fights you are exposed to particularly in smaller organizations, where it seems like two cavemen in a cage fighting over a bone - which does appeal to most of the general public due to the strange attraction humans possess towards violence. Watching Anderson, Machida, and GSP is like watching an artist paint a masterpiece on a canvas, it's true art in motion. They demonstrate their art well, hence the term martial artist.

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

Tito: As of late I've had an awakening and found enlightenment, God, divine intervention, or whatever you want to label it as. Whatever it is though, it's the best thing that's ever happened to me! I have a whole new outlook on life and see the real truth to existence, and that is a truth of good will and love. Outside of the sport I'm very passionate on educating myself and acquiring knowledge, which is the weapon against ignorance and ignorance is what hides the truth from so many. I'm extremely passionate about life and the main thing in my life now is putting myself behind others in all that I do. Every action and thought I have is with the intent in some way or another to make a positive difference in someone else's life, whether it be direct or indirect. This truth to life I've found has given me a whole new fire and motivation towards anything I do.

Darrick: What moments in your life have you been proudest of so far?

Tito: I am very proud when finding enlightenment. Those moments stick out the most.

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

Tito: I'm all about love and spreading the message of love, joy, and peace! It's so ironic that I'm a professional fighter. (Laughs) I do believe that sport fighting is the only place that violence should be permitted and that is for sport only. I'm on a mission to make any and as much of a difference as possible in a positive sense for others. I'm more driven than ever and that applies to my fighting as well because it is also a love of mine - and I finally really know what I am fighting for!

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Tito: I was either two or three years old. I know it was at a time when I was too young to talk, but able to walk around. I was standing at the gate to our home when my father was stationed in Arizona. I remember walking back to the carport, getting into one of those old school little green plastic toy cars with pedals, sitting down, and getting the shit pinched out of my butt because the plastic seat had a crack in it! (Laughs)

Thanks for the time and God bless everyone! Love!

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 Tito Jones in the following places:

Official Tito Jones MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/titojayjones

Official Tito Jones Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Tito-Jones/666554712

Official Tito Jones Twitter Page:

http://twitter.com/TitoAlpha

Tito Jones on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tito-Jones-19925

Tito Jones Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/19925