10 Questions With Ryan Jensen (12/8/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Ryan Jensen (by Darrick Patrick)

Ryan Jensen is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Strikeforce, Victory Fighting Championship, SportFight, International Fighting Championship, and Extreme Challenge. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Mark Muñoz in the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva on January 2nd, 2010.

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

Ryan: I've been doing MMA since I was fifteen years old. I started with Steve Jennum, he won UFC 3 back in the day, and I've been hooked ever since. It's been a long fun journey and I hope it continues for many more years.

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

Ryan: I look up to guys like Frankie Edgar, Anderson Silva, Nick Diaz, GSP, Nate Marquardt, Chael Sonnen, Shogun, and many others. Not because they are top in our division, but they have learned to transition and mix up all the different combat sports to produce what we call mixed martial arts.

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

Ryan: I would tell people looking to get into this sport that it is a life long journey. You will learn from every fight in the gym, ring, and cage. It's a process, don't rush it. I've been doing this for seventeen years now and I will continue to learn and evolve as the sport evolves. Seek out the knowledge and if it is not available to you, travel. In traveling you learn a lot about yourself and others.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Mark Muñoz on January 2nd. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Ryan: This is a great fight for me. I believe I'm more well-rounded in all aspects of MMA. I know he is a great wrestler, but I think I'm catching him early in his career. College wrestling, as you can see from his last couple of fights, isn't the best for mixed martial arts. College wrestlers are tough, don't get me wrong, but his MMA wrestling is lacking. What I mean by that is that his transition between the punching and wrestling is lacking from what I've seen. I feel very confident going into this match-up.

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

Ryan: That one is very simple to me. It is hitting a technique at the precise time so that it looks effortless to the untrained eye and to be able to do it consistently. That is what I enjoy about training and fighting.

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

Ryan: My parents are a big inspiration to me, they have been very consistent in my life. Joe Baudler is one of my first martial arts instructors and he has stuck by me and evolved with MMA as it has evolved. He showed us younger guys that age is just a state of mind. All the coaches, teams (Team Quest, MTC, Rodrigo Vaghi, Team Jackson, Pat's), and training partners that I have been able to train with throughout the years have taught me many lessons about competition. They taught me about principles of fighting that are the same for kickboxing, wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu and how to combine or group them all as one. I appreciate everyone that has helped me throughout this MMA process.

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

Ryan: Training is a big part of my life, especially now. When I have time though I like to play poker, see movies, and hang out with my wife and little girl. If it is something active, I'll do it. Volleyball, basketball, broomball - whatever the competition is, I enjoy it.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Ryan: Probably preschool, or kindergarten. I remember going to school for the first time when I was around three or four years old at the YMCA. I do not have any one particular memory that really sticks out.

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

Ryan: I have had a dream to start my own company and not have to deal with bosses, schedules, and deadlines. Therefore I recently opened up a MMA gym called Elite Performance MMA with a couple of partners this year. Check out our website at http://www.45Fight.com for more info.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Ryan: As a man known for his integrity and friendship.

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 Ryan Jensen in the following places:

Official Ryan Jensen Website:

http://www.ryanjensenmma.com

Official Ryan Jensen MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/89338895

Official Ryan Jensen Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Ryan-Jensen/520079679

Official Ryan Jensen Twitter Page:

http://twitter.com/RyanJensenUFC

Elite Performance MMA Website:

http://www.45Fight.com

Ryan Jensen on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Ryan-Jensen-662

Ryan Jensen Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/662

[NWOWolfpack]

PunchDrunkGamer’s Steve Steinbeiss vs. Ryan Jensen

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