10 Questions With Brent Weedman (6/20/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Brent Weedman (by Darrick Patrick)

Brent Weedman is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as Bellator Fighting Championships, Elite Fighting Alliance, Legends Of Fighting, United Fight League, Wild Bill's Fight Night, American Fight League, MMA Xtreme, HOOKnSHOOT, and World Extreme Fighting. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against John Troyer in Bellator Fighting Championships at BFC 23 on June 24th, 2010.

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

Brent: My father was a police officer for thirty years and trained recruits when I was young. He studied full contact Karate, very similar to Kyokushin (e.g. Georges St-Pierre and many K-1 fighters) and trained me from a very young age. I started Judo at eight years old and have fought my whole life. I transitioned into MMA about five or six years ago and decided to get serious about it in 2006.

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

Brent: I respect any fighter who trains properly. This means not partying and living a "loose" lifestyle, then wanting to call yourself a fighter a few nights a week. Training for real means denying yourself a normal life during those periods of time.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against John Troyer on June 24th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Brent: It's a great match-up. I know John personally and he is one of the toughest guys I've ever faced. He's big and strong and has made a career out of grinding out tough wins and wearing guys down. It's a fantastic fight, especially for the local fans who know both of us well.

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

Brent: The days when specific techniques finally start to click. As we add more and more difficult elements to my game, I have to work even harder to force them to work. After weeks (or months...or years) of killing myself, every once in a while I will have a day where everything becomes clear. Those days make the gut-wrenching training more than worth it.

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

Brent: Start with a base. There is simply too much to realistically expect to come in and "learn MMA." Dedicate yourself to an art and become proficient before moving onto something else prematurely. Secondly, you need to seek out the most qualified trainers. Trainers with little to no real experience are a dime a dozen, and while you may have a little early success you will have trouble transitioning to a higher level of competition. Oh, and be willing to travel to where the best training is.

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

Brent: My father is my hero and the toughest man I've ever known. He spent three decades of his life seeking out the most dangerous segments of society and placing himself between them and the rest of us. In other words, you can tell he's undefeated because he's still alive.

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

Brent: I love learning about science, especially astronomy and physics. I'm a fan of sports in general, and second only to fighting is my love of American football - go Green Bay Packers! I'm very happily married to my beautiful wife of four years, Emily, and I enjoy traveling and finding new experiences in life to share with her.

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

Brent: I suppose the fact that I'm an astronomy nut is news to those who don't know me very well. Also, I haven't eaten meat for a few years. Most people find that a little surprising.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Brent: I have a few memories just before and during my younger brother's birth, which would've made me three or four years old at the time.

Darrick: If you were stuck in a bomb shelter for the rest of your life, what three items would you take in with you besides food and water?

Brent: My wife, a fully loaded eReader, and a guitar.

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 Brent Weedman in the following places:

Official Brent Weedman MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/louisvillebrent

Official Brent Weedman Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/brent.weedman

Official Brent Weedman Twitter Area:

http://www.twitter.com/brent_weedman

Brent Weedman on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Brent-Weedman-9869

Brent Weedman Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/9869