10 Questions With Xavier Foupa-Pokam (11/30/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Xavier Foupa-Pokam (by Darrick Patrick)

Xavier "Professeur X" Foupa-Pokam is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, International Absolute Fighting Council, Palace Fighting Championship, Jungle Fight, World Absolute Fighting Championship, Cage Rage, African Fighting Championships, Real Rhythm, DEEP, Africa UFA, European Vale Tudo, Total Fighting Championships, Extreme Brawl, Xtreme Fighting Championship, World Absolute Fight Federation, and UK Mixed Martial Arts Championship. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match was originally slated to be against Mike Moreno but will now be against Anthony Ruiz in Tachi Palace Fights at TPF 2: Brawl in the Hall on December 3rd, 2009.

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

Xavier: Well, when I was was eleven years old my mom decided that my little brother and I would not stay out and hang on the street after school like some of our friends. So, mummy thought she'd have us practice a sport and asked us to choose one. Yves, my little brother, chose soccer. He's now a professional soccer player. I chose Karate. I've been doing Karate (Shito-Ruy) competition for seven years now. I eventually got bored with the rules that were too restrictive - I needed more contact. So I met Cyrille "The Snake" Diabaté, who held Muay Thai classes at a school next to my girlfriend's place. He was starting MMA and made us, his students, try it out. We liked it. Then we did more Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and became a MMA team.

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

Xavier: I'm not a fan of any fighter in particular, but I've got a lot of respect for all of the people that have enough guts to step in a cage or a ring instead of just thinking about it. The little experience that I have has already showed me that our sport is such a tough sport. Accepting the idea of stepping in and fighting is not so easy. I fought in Karate competitions for many years and it would never happen that a guy had a competition scheduled - and when the day of the fight comes, he doesn't show up ! In mixed martial arts though, this kind of surprise sometimes happens. Being a MMA fighter is a bit harder than it looks. As for sports in general, I respect any person courageous or crazy enough to do a triathlon and especially Ironman. These are real warriors because they manage to fight and beat the worst opponent that you can face - yourself.

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

Xavier: First off, keep in mind that the base of all is work. With no work, you will not get anything. The second word to remember is patience. You have to know that hard work will always pay, even if it sometimes take time. The third word is determination. Especially in a country like mine where MMA is illegal and you don't get help from anyone to build a MMA career, only obstacles. As for when you're actually in a fight, the first that loses faith loses the bout.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Anthony Ruiz on December 3rd. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Xavier: Anthony is a big 205er that has a lot of MMA experience and has fought in Strikeforce. He looks like he is a tough guy. Cyrille and I are actually finishing our fight preparation at the Team Quest gym with Dan Henderson, Krystof Soszynski, Sokoudjou, and the rest of the guys.

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

Xavier: Martial arts helps me to deal with everyday events in life with more confidence, but also with more calm. It has also bred me in a very reliable and respectful manner to the people around me who respect me back. Martial arts has taught me that if you are serious, work always pays.

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

Xavier: My mum. She is a fighter - a fighter for life. She never gave up at anything and today every joy and happiness that my brother, sisters, and I can get is thanks to her in some way or another. It amazes me that she could give her life for her kids with no hesitation. Also, my trainer Cyrille "The Snake" Diabaté because he's a Warrior 4 Life. I don't need to explain, people who know him will understand.

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

Xavier: My other passion is Audiovisual. I graduated with it as my major and I used to be a TV and cinema director assistant. I had to choose to put that career on the side for a bit to succeed in my sport career. I'll get back to it eventually. I also enjoy video games and I'm crazy about Jamaican dancehall reggae music, but I'm not a Rastafari. I like caramel and vanilla ice cream too - actually, I really like that!

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Xavier: The oldest memory I have involving martial arts was the day that I entered the dojo for the first time with my father. I saw all of these young boys and girls that were my age - throwing punches, kicks, and screaming at the same time. I liked that.

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

Xavier: This is for the people that still might have doubts of the fact that I'm the chief of the X-Men. One day I had to do an X-ray for a pain at the rear of my neck. My neck was okay and the pain went away on it's own, but the exam showed that have one and a half ribs more than normal people. On one side, there is one more rib at the top that should never have been there. Then on the other side, the half one is a rib that had started to grow from the spine but didn't connect to my plexus. So, I'm a mutant! See? (Smiles)

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Xavier: I want people to remember that I was the only fighter in the world that could perform a flying gogoplata...well, you never know!

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 Xavier Foupa-Pokam in the following places:

Official Xavier Foupa-Pokam MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/ebonyjewelpx

Official Xavier Foupa-Pokam Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Xavier-Foupa-Pokam/606601552

Xavier Foupa-Pokam on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Xavier-Foupa-Pokam-8761

Xavier Foupa-Pokam Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/8761

[BreakingBacks]

Really liked the professor, too bad he threw away his UFC opportunity.