10 Questions With Dave Kaplan (12/9/2008)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Dave Kaplan (by Darrick Patrick)

"Diamond" Dave Kaplan is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Fury Fighting Championship, Sportfighting, Battleline Productions, and recently appeared on the eighth season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Junie Browning in the Ultimate Fighting Championship at The Ultimate Finale for season eight on December 13th, 2008.

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

Dave: I wrestled Division 1 in college and afterwards a buddy who had started fighting asked if I'd be interested in competing. So, I just fell into it.

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

Dave: Words of advice? Find another job. MMA is a very hard life - there is lots of stress and tough training involved to get to an elite level. Plus, it's not as glamorous as people think. If you want to be successful, you gotta' be ready to work incredibly hard.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Junie Browning on December 13th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Dave: I'm very excited to fight Junie. I like the guy and respect his talent, but the fight's going to be televised - so it's my chance to shine.

Darrick: What have you been doing since wrapping up this season of The Ultimate Fighter?

Dave: I moved out here to Vegas in October and have been training with Frank Mir every day.

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

Dave: I respect anyone who climbs into the ring or cage. Most of all though would be Randy Couture for his dignity and work ethic, Wanderlei Silva for his tenacity, and Frank Mir for helping me get better.

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

Dave: The most fulfillment? Sadly, the money.

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

Dave: Music is a big hobby for me - I play guitar, piano, and write songs. I really like traveling and learning about new cultures, such as their languages, food, etc.

Darrick: What comic book character do you relate to most?

Dave: I like Thor because he has an awesome hammer.

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

Dave: I speak four different languages.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Dave: That would probably be playing with paint in kindergarten.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out Dave Kaplan in the following places:

Official Dave Kaplan MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/valetudo79

Dave Kaplan on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/David-Kaplin-13848

[keithlewis]

I really expected Kaplan to do better on the show than he did

[DarrickPatrick]

Me too...

How do you think the match with Junie is going to go?

[keithlewis]

Me too...

How do you think the match with Junie is going to go?

I hope he whips him so I don't have to hear how good Junie is anymore!

[DarrickPatrick]

After last night, I guess you'll still be hearing it for a bit, heheh!

That was a good fight.

I never noticed until then that Kaplan kinda' looks like Ron Perlman.