10 Questions With Bao Quach (2/24/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Bao Quach (by Darrick Patrick)

Bao "The Taz" Quach is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as World Extreme Cagefighting, Strikeforce, Affliction, ShoXC, King Of The Cage, Shooto, Respect In The Cage, Icon Sport, California Xtreme Fighting, International Fighting Organization, No Limits, EliteXC, Invincible, APEX Championship Fighting, Gladiator Challenge, Warriors Quest, and Ultimate Athlete. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Georgi Karakhanyan in the first round of the second season featherweight tournament of Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 13 on April 8th, 2010.

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

Bao: My friends invited me to come try out a Jiu-Jitsu class and after getting submitted a few times, I was hooked. I did wrestling in high school and it was very similar, but I liked Jiu-Jitsu a lot better. So, I eventually just fell in love with it.

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

Bao: The most influential person to me was probably my brother. He used to fight a lot and beat people up. So, I thought it was cool to do the same things later on. He wrestled, I wrestled, and so on. Really, I actually don't think we are that much alike though.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Georgi Karakhanyan on April 8th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Bao: I think it will be a good fight. I hear that he's athletic and has really good cardio. He's a Brown Belt in Jiu-Jitsu, and so am I. It might be more exciting too because he likes to do flying knees and other fancy stuff from what I've heard. I'll be ready come April 8th.

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

Bao: Take your time to learn everything and don't be in a rush to get your first fight in. Do some smokers and Jiu-Jitsu competitions before jumping right into it. Also, it's very important to have a good coach.

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

Bao: The fulfilling aspect of martial arts for me is learning and acquiring all of the knowledge that I can. I get the most fulfillment in knowing that I can pass that on to someone else.

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

Bao: I have a lot of respect for my coaches Colin Oyama and Giva Santana. Colin is one of those guys that doesn't take crap from anybody. He's an awesome coach who has given me a way to train and live my dream of being a fighter. Giva Santana is simply a good human being that has high morals and values. He's just a great person overall.

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

Bao: I don't really have any other interests than martial arts. I'm at the gym every day of the week and I love it. Even when I broke my hand, I was at the gym hanging out. I love all of my friends there.

Darrick: If you had superpowers, what would they be?

Bao: I'd like to be able to read people's minds. I'm pretty sure I could probably make a lot of money off of that.

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

Bao: I used to get in trouble a lot during my high school days.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Bao: Getting beat up by my brother.

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 Bao Quach in the following places:

Official Bao Quach Website:

http://www.baoquach.com

Official Bao Quach MySpace Page:

http://www.myspace.com/bowser860

Official Bao Quach Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/bao.quach

Team Oyama MMA:

http://www.teamoyamamma.com

Bao Quach on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Bao-Quach-494

Bao Quach Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/494

[longlivemma]

Great Interview man. I really enjoy learning about these fighters i don't know much about.

When you asked him if he had any advice for up and coming fighters, he said what a lot of fighters have said in your interviews....,"Take your time, learn everything, good coaches.." All great advice. What i have never hear of though is when he said Get involved in "Smokers" and BJJ Comps....what in the world is a Smoker?

I'm gonna guess like a gym on gym competition where it isn't "full contact" Sparring, but very close...?? Not sure. If you could inform me..that would be great.

[DarrickPatrick]

Smokers are generally informal unsanctioned events put together by collaborating fight gyms, martial arts schools, and such. They're basically like amateur events where fighters can pick up some experience before actually stepping into better-documented competition.

[longlivemma]

Smokers are generally informal unsanctioned events put together by collaborating fight gyms, martial arts schools, and such. They're basically like amateur events where fighters can pick up some experience before actually stepping into better-documented competition.

I'm gonna guess like a gym on gym competition where it isn't "full contact" Sparring, but very close...?? Not sure. If you could inform me..that would be great.

What a great guesser I am haha

Thanks!