10 Questions With Javier Vazquez (3/2/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Javier Vazquez (by Darrick Patrick)

Javier "Showtime" Vazquez is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as World Extreme Cagefighting, ShoXC, King Of The Cage, Shooto, EliteXC, Fight Force International, Shooto Americas, Empire Submission Fighting, and Neutral Grounds. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Jens Pulver in World Extreme Cagefighting at WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz on March 6th, 2010.

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

Javier: I was a wrestler first. After finishing my career in college wrestling, I wanted to try out Jiu-Jitsu. I fell in love and began competing in every tournament that I could enter. Soon followed Pancrase-style tournaments and not long after that I began competing in MMA.

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

Javier: My mother and sister had the most impact on me for the majority of my life. I also had two wrestling coaches that also influenced my life, Victor Vorobieff and Arnold Alpert. Now, my greatest influence is my wife Rose Gracie.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Jens Pulver on March 6th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Javier: This is a huge opportunity for me to be fighting Jens Pulver. I have trained myself extremely well under the tutelage of Erik Paulson and feel very prepared for the fight.

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

Javier: Being able to empower people by passing on my knowledge through my teachings.

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

Javier: I have a lot of respect for Ryron and Rener Gracie. They have been helping me over the past five years and have really helped my overall game. They have improved me technically, as well as philosophically.

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

Javier: Learn each art individually. Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling are all great sports by themselves. You will never truly know how to innovate and improvise without studying each art individually. Take what suits your style best from each art and develop your own style, but never forget where it all came from.

Darrick: Outside of mixed martial arts, what are your other interests?

Javier: RC cars and computer technology. I race RC Cars and I am a huge MacHead. I love everything Apple.

Darrick: If you had 24 hours left to live, how would you spend that time?

Javier: I would be with my family and friends. I'd also like to skydive at least one time. I'll have to get that in there sometime when I get the chance.

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

Javier: I am a geek. I love sci-fi movies, computers, and woodworking.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Javier: For some weird reason, I remember being a baby in Cuba where I was born. I recall hearing road construction on my street and trying to look out the window, but never being able to see anything. I was a curious child and not being able to see what was going on drove me 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 Javier Vazquez in the following places:

Official Javier Vazquez Website:

http://www.javiervazquez.tv

Official Javier Vazquez MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/javiervazquez

Official Javier Vazquez Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1546975141

Official Javier Vazquez Twitter Area:

http://twitter.com/javiershowtime

Javier Vazquez on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Javier-Vazquez-511

Javier Vazquez Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/511