10 Questions With Damien Trites (by Darrick Patrick)

Damien "The Omen" Trites is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as World Championship Fighting, Submit To Glory, World Fighting League, and Combat Zone.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Joe DeChaves in American Steel Cage Fighting at ASC 1 on July 31st, 2009.

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

Damien: It all started while I was in Job Corps in Maine.  I met UFC fighter John "Doomsday" Howard before he had made it into the Ultimate Fighting Championship.  We used to grapple on the hardwood floors of the racquetball courts.  It was against the rules, so we had to hide from the staff.  (Laughs)  It was crazy.  After we both completed the program, he went to Boston and I went to Springfield, Massachusetts.  While I was in Job Corps though, I met a girl from Boston.  So, after two years of training with Jim Harpe who is a Royce Gracie Brown Belt in Springfield and being promoted by Royce himself, I made my way to Boston to train with Doomsday.  He coached me towards my first professional win.

Darrick: In your experience so far, what brings you the most fulfillment out of MMA?

Damien: It's my therapy, it keeps me grounded and level-headed.  It's very positive.  My life was negative until I found mixed martial arts.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Joe DeChaves on July 31st.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Damien: My main thought is that anyone is tough with four ounce gloves on!  (Laughs)  Nah, I've heard that Joe is really tough, but I'm ready for him.  I'm training extremely hard and I will be ready for a war, so he'd better be as well.  He is a man and all men bleed red.  We might just see how red his blood is.

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

Damien: I respect every person that gets in the cage, but I really respect John Howard a lot because he came up from nothing and beat the odds.  He is a humble, classy, and great guy.  Doomsday is an excellent friend as well.  I also really respect and like Forrest Griffin.  He is one bad dude who has the heart of a lion.

Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to train in martial arts?

Damien: I think that if you want to train at all, you should go ahead and try it out.  It will help you become a better person and builds self-esteem.

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

Damien: Mike "mini moto" Tosti was like an older brother to me and he introduced me to the old VHS tapes of the UFC back in the day.  You're forever in my heart, Mike...R.I.P.

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

Damien: I like spending time with my family and especially my son, little Damien.  I also enjoy camping, swimming, and anything really to get my mind off the everyday struggle.

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

Damien: I was bullied in middle school!

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Damien: I have a lot of old memories, but the best ones are from the holidays because I loved Christmas as a kid and I still do to this day.  I also have great memories of my grandparents and I miss them dearly.

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

Damien: That would be the ability to read the minds of girls because I can't figure them out.  (Laughs)  Help!

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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You can also check out Damien Trites in the following places:

Official Damien Trites MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/211762955

Damien Trites on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Damien-Trites-21035

Damien Trites Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/21035

10 Questions With Brandon Jinnies (by Darrick Patrick)

Brandon Jinnies is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Palace Fighting Championship, Gladiator Challenge, Louisiana Fighting Championship, Global Knockout, and No Love Entertainment.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match was supposed to be against Andrew Martinez in Palace Fighting Championship at PFC: Best of Both Worlds III on July 16th, 2009.  The fight however has been moved back to a later date.

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

Brandon: I was always fighting at home with my big brother and also getting into fights at school while I was growing up.  Fighting was fun for me as a kid and it is still fun to me now, so that naturally pointed me in the direction of MMA.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight was supposed to be against Andrew Martinez on July 16th.  What are the details with this match now?

Brandon: The fight is not going down anymore on July 16th, but it will be happening on September 25th.  It just got postponed a couple of months.

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

Brandon: Get yourself set up at a good mixed martial arts school that you enjoy being at, put together a good MMA plan that works best to your attributes, and don't just fight in shows for any amount of money.

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

Brandon: B.J. Penn has the best confidence in mixed martial arts, I really like Lee Murray's style, and Spencer "The King" Fisher is simply a very good fighter.

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

Brandon: Martial arts gets my mind off of a lot of bullshit that goes on in my life.

Darrick: Where could you possibly see yourself within the sport ten years from now?

Brandon: I can envision myself as being a really good fight promoter.

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

Brandon: My main interest is cooking - I love to cook.

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

Brandon: I used to have a really big crush on Stevie Nicks.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Brandon: Not sure on this question, I can't remember right now.

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?

Brandon: That would have to be Halle Berry, a Xbox 360, and a copy of the Bible.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

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You can also check out Brandon Jinnies in the following places:

Official Brandon Jinnies MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/blackfighter

Brandon Jinnies on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/brandon-jinnies-18307

Brandon Jinnies Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/18307

10 Questions With Chris Culley (by Darrick Patrick)

Chris "Urban Legend" Culley is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in the Total Fighting Alliance organization and at King Of The Cage events such as River Rage, Bio Hazard, Epicenter, and Final Chapter.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Vince Ortiz in the Long Beach Fight Night organization at LBFN 5 on July 19th, 2009.

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

Chris: I've always been in love with martial arts.  As I kid, I would watch Kung Fu Theatre and Bruce Lee movies all day long.  My mom put me in Karate when I was around eleven years old and I became very passionate about it.  Then when I was thirteen years old, I started doing Muay Thai under Julian Lugo and Craig Buchanan.  After I swept through the amateur ranks, I decided to give mixed martial arts a shot and once again I fell in love.

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

Chris: Yves Edwards is the first person that comes to mind.  He's the man!  (Laughs)  I remember watching him kill this guy at UFC 45 with kicks, knees, and combinations.  He was just so versatile and explosive - and above all, he was humble.  He is still my favorite fighter to this day and he has never had a boring fight.  I also have a high regard for Duane Ludwig.  He's just so crisp and precise with his attacks.  I wish I was that talented.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Vince Ortiz on July 19th.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Chris: Ortiz is a very tough fighter.  He has great wrestling, control, and he grinds his opponents into submission.  I question his striking ability though.  I know I'm faster and I feel that I've fought tougher competition.  I think my style of fighting presents a lot of problems for him.

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

Chris: The fight is in the training.  Train hard and smart.  Eat right, live right, and it will pay off in the fight.

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

Chris: My instructors - Henry Gutierrez, Robert Menendez, Julian Lugo, and Craig Buchanan.  These guys pushed me and kept me on the straight and narrow in all aspects of life, not only in training.  My mom has always supported me whether I win or lose, and my biggest fan is my little brother who swears that I'm superhuman.

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

Chris: Competing...especially at this level.  If it's a win or a loss, just the fact that I manned up and trained, sacrificed, and sharpened my skills to put up with a fellow warrior is fulfillment enough for me.  Of course I want to get the win, but I love the battle.  There's a purity in fighting that you won't get anywhere else.  Nothing else matters during that fifteen minutes.  It's a rush, man - I can't explain it.

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

Chris: Muay Thai!  I love kickboxing and one day I want to compete in K-1 World MAX and represent the United States.  We have no representatives in K-1 and it's a shame because there are a lot of talented kickboxers in the US.  Also, I like adding to my comic book collection.  I'm a big comic book nerd and I'm always head first into anything X-Men or Marvel.

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

Chris: Ummm...my nationality.  (Laughs)  People always just assume I'm African-American.  My parents are actually South American and my dad is from Guyana.  So, ladies - I'm exotic.

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

Chris: I would spend that day with the people who matter the most to me.  My mom, brothers, and family in general.  We'd more than likely recant about stories from growing up and I'd spend my last few hours talking to my little brother, giving him some words of wisdom before I pass on.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Chris: That would probably be my sixth birthday party.  I remember it because I had so many relatives there and so many gifts.  (Laughs)  I was a spoiled child.

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 Chris Culley in the following places:

Official Chris Culley MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/ulgulley86

Chris Culley on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Chris-Culley-22803