10 Questions With Dan Bonnell (3/2/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Dan Bonnell (by Darrick Patrick)

Dan Bonnell is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as World Championship Fighting, Combat Zone, and World Fighting League. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Dan Ferrer in the main event at World Championship Fighting 6 for the WCF Bantamweight Title on March 14th, 2009.

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

Dan: Well, wrestling is what got me into MMA. I wrestled all through high school and then continued after high school wrestling through the USA Wrestling circuit. I went to a community college that didn't offer wrestling, otherwise I would have wrestled D3.

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

Dan: Do your research for a good MMA school that also offers Jiu-Jitsu and some sort of striking classes, but don't limit yourself to just one gym. I like to cross-train with a few different teams to get a different perspective and different training partners. It really helps your game.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Dan Ferrer on March 14th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Dan: I'm so excited for this fight, it's just like a culmination of all the things I've been working to get to. I started my career off on the wrong foot and now I've gotten myself where I've always wanted to be - and one of my goals was to hold a local title and fight the best in my weight class on the way there. The fight with Joe Cushman was a huge match for me and I think people started to notice me after that fight. It earned me a title shot and now I get to fight one of the best guys, if not the best 135er in New England for the belt. Dan Ferrer is a good fight for me, he fights a lot like me and I respect his game. He's got a great Jiu-Jitsu base and he's a wrestler, but he likes to trade hands too, so it's pretty much like fighting myself. I'm more excited to fight Dan than I am to be in a title fight. This will really tell me where I stand in New England.

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

Dan: My mom has always been a huge influence to me - I'm a momma's boy, love my mom. She's always been there for me through everything and she's always tried to give my brother and I the best life that she could give us. We were poor growing up, my mom had us at the young age of twenty and was always working to keep a roof over our heads. When my parents got divorced I lived with my mom, so I really got to see first-hand what it takes to be an adult and all of the sacrifices she made to give my brother and I everything that she could. I just hope that I can make her proud.

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

Dan: Winning's the balls, but I love the fight. I love when you're down and out with your back against the wall or when everyone counts you out from the get-go. Then when you pull something out of your ass to get the win or you just come out and dominate, shocking everyone - that's the best feeling. Winning is always great, but winning when everybody else thinks you're going to lose is the best.

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

Dan: You know, it's cliché to name all of the UFC guys and say how you respect them for whatever, so I'd say I respect my coaches and teammates, man. They're the ones in the room making me better, they're the people sweating and bleeding in there with me. That's who I respect the most.

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

Dan: I'm newly a family man now, so I like spending time with my girlfriend and our son, plus we have another one on the way. I don't get a whole lot of free time, but with what I have I spend it with them and with my friends. I have some really good friends and we're all pretty close...and I'm nasty at Wii Bowling.

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

Dan: I don't think most people don't know this, but it's funny as hell. I have an alter ego as Michael Jackson. Ever since I was a little kid I loved to dance like him and listen to his music. (Laughs) It's a riot when I hear his music. I get out and dance like an idiot, but you'd never catch me dancing any other time. I went to my cousin's wedding dressed up as MJ for her to get a few laughs and did the Moonwalk and shit. I did my entrance at WCF 1 dressed up as him and came out to Beat It too.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Dan: I can remember my brother and I throwing rocks at each other when we were kids and he hit me in the temple with one. I had this boner thing sticking out of my temple really far and my mom rushed me to the hospital because she thought I was going to die. I kicked my brother's ass for that...I think.

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

Dan: Shit, I don't know. I'd probably go to Jamaica and have sex with my girlfriend on the beach. Somewhere off the resort though where they try to kill you and stuff. What the hell, right? I'm dead in twenty-four anyway.

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 Dan Bonnell in the following places:

Official Dan Bonnell MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/421785121

Dan Bonnell on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Dan-Bonnell-16473

Dan Bonnell Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/16473