10 Questions With Tyler Toner (4/15/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Tyler Toner (by Darrick Patrick)

Tyler Toner is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Strikeforce, Battlequest, and Ring Of Fire events Adrenaline, Judgement Day, Summer Brawl, Aftershock, Collision Course, Integrity, Elite, Impact, and River Valley Rumble. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Brandon Visher in World Extreme Cagefighting at WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber on April 24th, 2010.

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

Tyler: I practiced martial arts for several years when I was younger. My Jeet Kune Do instructor actually took us to the very first UFC when I was about nine years old. I lost interest when I started playing other sports, but came back to martial arts when I came upon Amal Easton's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Boulder, Colorado. I started training there two days a week, which turned into four days a week, which eventually turned into every day. The rest is history.

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

Tyler: Find a good team and get ready to work your ass off.

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

Tyler: Obviously my coaches - Duane Ludwig, Eliot Marshall, Amal Easton, and Trevor Wittman. A lot of my teammates as well. It's easier to respect someone when you actually know what kind of person they are. I've had the pleasure of surrounding myself with quality people. As far as fighters I don't know? Fedor, Noguiera, and GSP. I'm a fan of the guys that don't say much and just go get it done.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Brandon Visher on April 24th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Tyler: I'm excited to make my WEC debut and hopefully I'll put on a good show. From what I've seen of Visher, he's a strong, athletic power puncher. It should make for an exciting fight.

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

Tyler: Probably seeing all of the training and sacrifices I've made come to fruition in the ring. Having your hand raised at the end of a hard-fought fight is a feeling unlike anything else in the world.

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

Tyler: Mostly my family. My parents and my brother.

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

Tyler: Man, mixed martial arts has pretty much taken over my life. When I'm not training, I'm pretty much just relaxing at the house with the female. I try to go out and kick it with my friends as much as I can though.

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

Tyler: I'm a dork. I like computers. I also used to be a competitive skratch DJ back in the day. I don't know how many fighters can say that.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Tyler: Damn, I don't know. I think I've had most of my memories knocked out of my head by now. I vaguely remember going to the hospital when I was about two years old. I burned my hand pretty badly trying to pull myself up on a wood burning stove. I still have scars on my hand.

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

Tyler: I'd probably try to pack in as much activity as I could in the day. I'd go see things I've never seen before, go out to a nice dinner with my family, have a big party with my friends, and then spend the last hour or so hanging out with the female before trying to fight a bear with a hunting knife. Might as well go out doing something cool.

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 Tyler Toner in the following places:

Official Tyler Toner MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/tylertoner

Official Tyler Toner Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10208727

Tyler Toner on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Tyler-Toner-13539

Tyler Toner Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/13539