10 Questions With Edward Faaloloto (10/26/2010)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Edward Faaloloto (by Darrick Patrick)

Edward "Falo" Faaloloto is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in the X-1 World Events organization at shows such as Showdown in Waipahu 2 and Scuffle on Schofield 2. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Anthony Njokuani in World Extreme Cagefighting at WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki on November 11th, 2010.

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

Edward: I have always been interested in martial arts. I viewed it not just as a way to beat others in a fight, but a way to better myself as a person. It was never about beating someone else up but more so of how I can handle the pressure of someone else beating me. I believe it's not about how good you are or how you always win, instead it's about how do you handle life's obstacles through martial arts - physically, spiritually, and mentally. This has allowed me the most personal growth and it is a journey I continue to travel every day.

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

Edward: My grandmother that raised me and every other person that stopped and took the time to give me a word of caring advice. Also, my sensei Paul Padilla who passed away and all of my good friends. I can't narrow it down but I can simply say if you took the time to care about me you have greatly influenced me in my personal life.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Anthony Njokuani on November 11th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Edward: I am honored be able to fight Anthony Njokuani. He is a very talented fighter. With that, I am excited to see how I fare against him. I view this fight as a personal test and I am anxious to see how well I do in this test.

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

Edward: As I look back at the person I was and the person I am now, and how martial arts has molded me into the person that I am today, I would have to say the most fulfillment has come from my personal growth through martial arts. I can honestly say if it weren't for martial arts I would simply be another statistic in prison or in the obituaries. If martial arts can help me grow that much, I look foward to who I will become. That is what has given me the most fulfillment out of martial arts.

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

Edward: To some degree, I have respect for everyone that steps into the ring or cage. Yet just like I respect everyone in the military willing to go to war, I would not single out a general as having more of my respect then a grunt because from the general to the grunt they are all in the fight. Everyone has a story and those that overcame their demons and still went in there and fought their heart out, win or lose, walk out with their heads up. For them I hold a great deal of respect. With that, only they know who they are.

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

Edward: If I was to give any words of advice to someone that wants to train in mixed martial arts, I say this - before trying to prepare to battle someone else, you must first fight the demons inside. Whether it be addiction, depression, or anger. Whatever your demon is, defeat that first. If you can do that, a mere man is nothing. Secondly, always remember that your greatest weapon will always be your mind and spirit, not your hands or legs. This is why it is so vital to clear out anything within you that might be holding you back. Remember that while you might hit someone and knock them out, it was your mind and spirit that guided that strike.

Darrick: Outside of mixed martial arts, what are your other interests?

Edward: I like to read about lucid dreaming, metaphysics, and anything to do with the ability of the mind to control one's reality. I'm not a total weirdo though! (Laughs) I also like hiking and camping. I am very interested in finding ways to be self-sustained and live off of the land. I like to learn about how our ancestors lived and survived without the internet and television. With that, I love Man vs. Wild. I enjoy researching about how previous generations learned to read the map of the stars way before we had GPS.

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

Edward: I was raised by my grandparents, seperate from the rest of my family. They raised me as their only child, so I called them mom and dad and that's what I knew them by. We were really poor and when I turned ten years old my grandfather had a stroke. We were pretty much screwed with him being the sole bread winner. That was when they told me that they weren't my parents and that they were my grandparents. They then told me that the next day I would meet my real mom and the rest of my family that I didn't even know existed. So, on February 6th, 1995, I met my mom, brother, and sisters for the very first time. Only a handful of people know that outside of my family, but I have grown enough to not let it bother me.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Edward: I dont know exactly how long ago it was but I must have been three or four years old. My clearest and oldest memory would be when I used to cut my pant legs into strips and run around the house pretending to be Shawn Michaels from the WWF, back when him and his old partner used to be called The Rockers. I thought I was so cool. My grandmother wasn't too happy with me cutting my pants up though. I got a whooping and I think that's why I remember it so well. I still put the pants on after I got my lickin' though. (Laughs) I thought I was so cool in those.

Darrick: If you had a working time machine, what are some of the points in history that you would visit?

Edward: I would start with before time began and see what it was like before there was anything. Then I would either watch the Big Bang happen or watch God create everything, depending on your beliefs. I would then go and visit all of the major religious figures such the Prophet Muhammad (may he rest in peace), Jesus Christ, Buddah, and even Joseph Smith. (Laughs) I would watch and interact with these people in real time and see for myself who they really were without the distortion of time and other's interpretations. Then, I would go to the end of time and see how everything finally ends. That is as long as I don't interrupt the space-time continuum. (Laughs) I would want to see existence through from beginning to end while meeting all the people that say they have the key to eternity and see who really does.

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 Edward Faaloloto in the following places:

Official Edward Faaloloto Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Eddie-Faaloloto/1513195206

Edward Faaloloto on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Edward-Faaloloto-55070