10 Questions With Luke Rockhold (2/6/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Luke Rockhold (by Darrick Patrick)

Luke Rockhold is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in the Melee On The Mountain organization and at Strikeforce events such as Young Guns 2, Destruction, Challengers 2, Challengers 4, and Shamrock vs. Diaz. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Paul Bradley in Strikeforce at ShoMMA 6: Prangley vs. Amoussou on February 26th, 2010.

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

Luke: I grew up getting my ass kicked by my older brothers and friends. Finding martial arts as a way to protect myself, I started competing in Judo between the ages of six to ten years old. I then found wrestling in the seventh grade and started to whoop some ass! I continued with wrestling through high school, eventually making it to the California State Championships. Around my junior year of high school I started Jiu-Jitsu and found that it was much more appealing to my style.

Not being a quitter, I finished wrestling through high school and then switched to Jiu-Jitsu. I realized how good I was getting at it combined with the fact that I was a pretty good street fighter, so I decided to test my skills. I heard of AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) through some friends and eventually came over to see how I could do against the pros. I did good and they asked me to come back, so now here I am.

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

Luke: Jon Fitch and Herschel Walker - I like how these guys carry themselves. They haven't changed much with all the fame and fortune. They're smart, humble, cool, and driven.

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

Luke: Get with a good team, you're only as good as your training partners. Also, don't quit your day job.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Paul Bradley on February 26th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Luke: Paul is a tough wrestler, very powerful and persistent. I feel as if I'm a better all-around fighter though and will come out on top in the end.

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

Luke: Not having to live the nine to five! I also love the rush and the feeling you get after achieving a goal.

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

Luke: My family and friends, for all the right and the wrong reasons.

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

Luke: I like to surf, golf, travel, and party. I also enjoy hunting - for girls, that is.

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

Luke: I'll whoop your ass at ping pong.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Luke: I was about three years old on vacation with my family in Hawaii. I was on my dad's shoulders in the surf break. He turned towards the land when a freak set came and knocked me off his shoulders. I just remember being hit by the wave, then a big blur and I couldn't breath until these big hands grabbed me, pulling me towards the light. My dad tells the story like it was the scariest moment of his life. I guess he couldn't find me for a while.

Darrick: If you were the last person alive on Earth, what do you think you'd do to entertain yourself?

Luke: Surf and masturbate. Then I'd probably find a goat or something after I went crazy.

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 Luke Rockhold in the following places:

Official Luke Rockhold Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Luke-Rockhold/1170165032

Official Luke Rockhold Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/rockholdmma

Luke Rockhold on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Luke-Rockhold-23345

Luke Rockhold Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/23345