10 Questions With Coty Wheeler (8/7/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Coty Wheeler (by Darrick Patrick)

Coty "Ox" Wheeler is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as World Extreme Cagefighting, King Of The Cage, Fightworld, Brawl At The Beach, Ultimate Warrior Challenge, and Ring Of Fire. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Charlie Valencia in World Extreme Cagefighting at WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson on October 10th, 2009.

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

Coty: Well, I used to get into a lot of trouble. I had just gotten off of some strict probation that I was on for 23 and 1/2 months and was looking for a place to fill that emptiness that the probation had left with me. I found a mixed martial arts gym called FIT NHB and got into it to lose weight for my lady and to stay out of trouble. If you would have asked me seven years ago if I would ever try to do this for a living, I would have said "NO!"

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

Coty: If you have the drive, then do it. You will be happy with the results. It reconstructs your mind, body, and soul.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Charlie Valencia on October 10th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Coty: I'm excited to be back in the WEC. It has been a year and a half since I have been back and I am stoked. Charlie is a game opponent and I know that he is no slouch. I met him when he was in Albuquerque and he is a very humble guy. I consider myself humble as well, but this is our job to fight. So, for fifteen minutes we will be trying to tear each other's heads off. Other than that, I like Charlie as a person.

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

Coty: I respect all of the coaches and teammates that I have trained with throughout the seven years that I have been in the fight game. Without them I would not be the fighter that I am today.

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

Coty: Just the fact that it keeps me in check and out of trouble. Anybody that knows me personally knows that I was a fuck-up in my earlier years of life. And for the people that doubted me - I am sorry that I let you down. Plus, my chick digs it. (Laughs)

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

Coty: My parents and my girlfriend have never given up on me and I love them for that. You find out who your true friends are when you get put in a hospital, jail, or any other bad situations like that. Usually when I got in those situations, it seemed like I farted so bad and loud that none of my friends or family wanted to be associated with me other than my parents and my girl. They were the only ones that put up with my shit!

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

Coty: Dressing up as a security guard and harassing teenagers at the mall. (Laughs) Naw, I'm just joking. I love to be around my girl, family, close friends, and the people I train with because they actually know me for who I am.

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

Coty: I write a lot of hot checks, and I dress up as a bum and beg for change. (Laughs) Something that people don't know about me? I guess I can be a little sensitive at times. I tend to read in between the lines when it is not needed.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Coty: There are a lot of older memories that I have. The majority of them are of growing up on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation. Some of the memories are good and some are bad.

Darrick: If you were the last person alive on Earth, what do you think you'd do to entertain yourself?

Coty: I think I would go back to all of my Native American ways and run around in my little loincloth, riding horses and hunting buffalo. (Laughs) I'd live in a teepee with a pool table and a big screen television, along with my iPod and Wii.

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 Coty Wheeler in the following places:

Official Coty Wheeler MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/oxwheeler

Official Coty Wheeler Facebook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Coty-Wheeler/1295635366

Coty Wheeler on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/coty-wheeler-17513