10 Questions With Billy Walsh (1/25/2011)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Billy Walsh (by Darrick Patrick)

Billy Walsh is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as World Championship Fighting, Mayhem Fight Night, Xtreme Championship Fight League, and Extreme Fighting International. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Nick Newell in Cage Titans Fighting Championship at CTFC: Mayhem on January 28th, 2011.

Darrick: How did you end up competing professionally in mixed martial arts?

Billy: I’ve been an athlete for the entirety of my walking life. I grew up playing baseball, soccer, basketball, and tennis. I also wrestled for a short stint at Mount Anthony Union High School. I have always been a competitor, whether it is checkers, a family game of badminton, thumb wrestling, or cage fighting. I do my best to win. I was never and am not a real confrontational or aggressive guy. I’m really laid back and can probably count on one hand the times I’ve been angry in the last three or so years. That being said, I was drawn to MMA right around the time most people were, season one of The Ultimate Fighter.

I saw a sport that truly gave back what you put into it. The harder you work in this sport, the better you get. If your mind is right, the more successful you’ll be. I started training after another TV show sparked my interest. I caught an episode of MTV’s True Life. It was True Life: I’m a Muay Thai Fighter, with Kit Cope. I remember yelling into the kitchen at my mom, “Hey, mom! Come check this out! It’s what I want to do with my life.” I was half-kidding until she replied with a giggle, “Whatever you say.” I started training shortly thereafter.

Darrick: Where could you possibly see the future of the sport ten years from now?

Billy: MMA is growing exponentially larger and more respected each and every year. Ten years from now it could easily eclipse boxing in fighter payouts, TV deals, sponsorships, and Pay-Per-View buys. Mixed martial arts, at this pace, will be a top contender in the sports world as a whole, not just combat sports.

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

Billy: To me it’s two-fold. First, it’s the competition aspect. Combat sports are the purest form of sport, especially mixed martial arts. It's you and your opponent, until one of you has immerged victorious by either being superior that night or by simply outworking them.

Second, it’s the comradery. This is a bond between fighters and a bond with your team and coaches. To me, my team and my coaches are as close and as important to me as family. It’s easily the best thing I have gotten from this sport. The United Fighting Arts Institute is one of the best things that has ever happened to me and it would have never happened if I had not been a martial artist.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Nick Newell on January 28th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Billy: I’m really excited about this fight. I’m mentally where I need to be as a fighter. That’s never been the case before. I used to have myself beaten before I even showed up to weigh-ins. That isn’t how it is anymore. I’m really looking forward to fighting Nick. He’s a solid fighter who has built a name for himself, both by being a successful wrestler and fighter despite having only one hand, and by talking himself up.

I know that his management and he are looking to use me as a stepping stone to another win on his undefeated record. I also know that anyone outside of my friends and family (maybe even some of them), fully expect me to lose this fight. That’s not what my intention is though. Nick is my first step towards legitimacy in this sport. People see me and say, “Tough kid but not much of a fighter”. After Nick, people will start taking me seriously.

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

Billy: There are two kinds of people in the sport that I respect most. The first being super-professionals who carry themselves with a level of respect for the sport and those involved that surpasses your run-of-the-mill fighter. Guys like Georges St-Pierre (GSP), Randy Couture, Jonathan Brookins, and Tateki Matsuda just to name a few. Then, there are the guys that understand that we are not only fighters and athletes, but entertainers too. Guys like Jason "Mayhem" Miller, Sakuraba, Minowaman, and Tim Credeur. Find Tim Credeur on YouTube and you’ll see why I included him on this list.

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

Billy: If you are even thinking about training, you should just go in and try it out. If it’s for you, you will know immediately. If it’s not for you, you’ll know immediately. The trick is to just make the move and do it. Now, when it comes to actually fighting - train! Get with a real team with real fighters and real coaches. Ask questions, spar, and learn. They will tell you when you are ready to fight.

When that time comes, probably a year or so down the road, get as many amateur fights in as you can. Rack up ammy fights. Regardless of what your record ends up being, the key is to get real ring/cage time in. The only thing I regret in my career is starting out in a very unintelligent way. I should have taken a ton of ammy fights and I shouldn’t of started fighting until I was with a real team, like I am now. Fighting is both an individual sport and a team sport. Yes, you fight alone, but your team is pivotal in preparing you and making you better each and every day. It’s nearly impossible to do that alone.

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

Billy: I’m an artist. I draw and paint, as well as dabble in photography. My interests are all over the place though as a whole. I love history, science, computers, web design, softball, biking, swimming, and rock climbing. My biggest interest is having fun. A close second is learning. Lame, but true.

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

Billy: I’m not afraid of dying, but I’m terrified of wasting the time and the opportunities I have while I’m here.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Billy: I was a goalkeeper in soccer from the time I started playing in kindergarten all the way up through high school and even a little bit in college. Early on, either during my kindergarten season or my first grade season, I blocked a shot that hit me square in my face and it knocked me out for a second. When I got my head together, the first thing I asked was if I had stopped the shot from getting in the goal. My parents knew it was going to be a fun run with sports from that moment on.

Darrick: If you had a working time machine, what are some of the points in history that you would visit?

Billy: I’m fascinated by people who had/have the ability and power to inspire with their words as well as people who had/have the minds that create theories and ideas that change the world. I would go back to hear or speak with people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., JFK, Abraham Lincoln, Leonardo da Vinci, Teddy Roosevelt, Ben Franklin, Socrates, Aristotle, Ghandi, Jesus, and Einstein (among many more). People who helped shape the world with their minds, hearts, and words.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://www.myspace.com/darrickpatrick/blog/343519835

You can also check out Billy Walsh in the following places:

Official Billy Walsh Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=57401883

Official Billy Walsh Twitter Area:

http://www.twitter.com/b_walsh

Billy Walsh on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Billy-Walsh-63222