10 Questions With Jeremiah Riggs (9/19/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Jeremiah Riggs (by Darrick Patrick)

Jeremiah "Mississippi" Riggs is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Empire Fighting Championships, Devastation Fight Club, Capital City Cage Wars, Arkansas MMA, Xtreme Fighting Organization, Hardrock MMA, and Absolute Cage Fighting. He also appeared on the seventh season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest and was featured on the VH1 reality program Daisy of Love leading to the nickname Big Rig. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Mike Fleniken in Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 30 on September 23rd, 2010.

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

Jeremiah: I believe I'm still on that journey as well as in life in general. Life is about the journey, not the destination. It is a part of my life and has brought lots of experiences to it. Some good and some bad, but that's life. You live, you learn.

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

Jeremiah: It's the real deal. Just because this shit looks cool doesn't mean it's the cool thing to do. Wearing a TapouT shirt does not make you a fighter. Most people think they can do mixed martial arts until they get punched in the damn mouth! It's not for everybody but not all things are.

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

Jeremiah: I've come to know many people in this sport. I respect a lot of them and I'm proud to say they're all friends of mine. Frank Shamrock was my first true mentor, he taught me a lot about the sport and how to properly respect it. He is a true legend and will always be looked up to. I'm proud to say that Matt Hughes and Robbie Lawler are both very good friends of mine. They both truly are champs and it gives you something to be proud to be a part of. Alan Belcher is another person I have a lot of respect for. During all the times we have trained, he has always pushed me. Also, just watching him climb to the top even when people are being doubtful always shows me anything is possible and hard work does pay off. Brian Foster, Matt Veach, Jon Madsen, and Clint Coronel are all my friends too even though we are from different places. We all have walked a hard road in life to get where we are today. Friends don't come easy but everyone I've talked about I respect and at some point we all have something in common - being the best in everything we do, no matter what it is. It's not an awful feeling to be able to say that you're one bad S.O.B.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Mike Fleniken on September 23rd. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Jeremiah: Mike seems like a strong opponent. I don't take anyone for granted. My thoughts about the fight are simple really. It's a fight. Whatever happens, happens.

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

Jeremiah: The competition and just knowing that nobody can fuck with me.

Darrick: Who is someone that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Jeremiah: My dad for always pushing me to keep it 100, no matter what the hell I was doing. Never give up, never back down. When it's all said and done, leave it all out there so you're not looking back on anything with regret.

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

Jeremiah: Spending time with my son, hunting, farming, and having a damn good time raising hell.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Jeremiah: I think my memory has been shortened. Must be too many shots to the head. (Laughs)

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

Jeremiah: Well, there is probably a reason the majority of people don't know certain things about me. It keeps them wondering though!

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

Jeremiah: The moment my little boy was born. There is nothing in the world like that feeling. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

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 Jeremiah Riggs in the following places:

Official Jeremiah Riggs MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/jjriggs

Official Jeremiah Riggs Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/jeremiah.riggs

Official Big Rigg's Wild Ride Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-RIGGS-Wild-Ride/113458312015028

Official Jeremiah Riggs Twitter Area:

http://www.twitter.com/vh1bigrig

Jeremiah Riggs on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jeremiah-Riggs-24469