10 Questions With James Krause (by Darrick Patrick)

James Krause is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as World Extreme Cagefighting, Close Quarters Combat, Titan Fighting Championships, FM Productions, World Cage Fighting Championships, True Fight Fans, and the International Fighting Championship.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Ricardo Lamas in World Extreme Cagefighting at WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo on November 18th, 2009.

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

James: A twenty-fight amateur career and a lot of hard work and dedication is what led me to professional competition.

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

James: My mom mostly.  My parents were divorced and I only saw my dad about twice a year, so I was raised by a bunch of females.  (Laughs)  I've always had great supportive friends that were always there watching my earlier fights.  I think it's very important to have a great supporting cast in your life when you are a fighter.  It helps through all the ups, downs, lefts, and rights.

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

James: I think it's one of those things you either have to devote all of your time to or not do it at all.  It's a very demanding sport - mentally, physically, and emotionally.  So, if you're not looking to be in it one hundred percent then you're not going to make it to the next level in this sport.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Ricardo Lamas on November 18th.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

James: Ricardo is a tough, tough guy.  He's a great boxer and even better wrestler, but I think with a six-inch reach advantage and a good game plan I'm going to give him a new look and cause some problems for him.  I feel better than I ever have before and I'm mentally one hundred percent focused on this fight.

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

James: Besides a decent paycheck, it brings me great accomplishments.  Especially with cutting weight and the actual fight.  There is no better feeling to be in such a mentally taxing situation like cutting thirty-plus pounds, fighting, and overcoming it all within forty-eight hours.

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

James: I respect all students of the game just for getting in the cage and fighting someone else, but my three favorite fighters are probably Thiago Alves, Mike Swick, and Mayhem Miller.  Some other honorable mentions include Randy Couture for still fighting at his age, Eddie Bravo for the revolution of Jiu-Jitsu, and the Diaz brothers for just not giving a damn.  (Laughs)

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

James: Hanging with my family and friends mostly.  I like watching TUF, Family Guy, and a few other television shows.  I'm a big eater and my favorite food is probably sushi.  I could eat sushi every day if I had to.  As for sports, football and a little bit of boxing are the only other ones that I follow.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

James: My fourth birthday.  I just remember getting a big yellow Tonka truck.  (Laughs)

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

James: I have a huge fear of needles.  I almost passed out the last time I got my bloodwork done.

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

James: Twenty-four hours isn't that long, so I would probably just spend time with my friends and family.  We'd have a gigantic dinner of seafood, steaks, and of course sushi.  (Laughs)

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 James Krause in the following places:

Official James Krause Website:

http://www.thejameskrause.com

Official James Krause MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/thejameskrause

Official James Krause Facebook Site:

http://www.facebook.com/thejameskrause

Official James Krause Twitter Area:

http://twitter.com/TheJamesKrause

Official James Krause YouTube Page:

http://www.youtube.com/TheJamesKrause

James Krause on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/James-Krause-31766

10 Questions With Jason Dent (by Darrick Patrick)

Jason "Dynamite" Dent is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, King Of The Cage, North American Allied Fight Series, Superior Fight Night, Icon Sport, International Fighting & Boxing League, Gladiators Cage Fighting, Extreme Fighting Challenge, Northern Kentucky Fighting Championships, SuperBrawl, Extreme Combat Challenge, APEX Championship Fighting, Xtreme Fighting Organization, and Next Level Fighting.  He also appeared on the ninth season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against George Sotiropoulos in the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 106: Lesnar vs. Carwin on November 21st, 2009.

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

Jason: I have always loved martial arts since I was around four years old.  I've even got an old picture of me when I was four wearing a ninja costume I got for Christmas.  I watched every action movie I could get my hands on growing up.  Unfortunately, I was unable to start training until I turned fourteen years old due to just not having the extra money to do it.  My sister Lamatha is the one I have to thank for getting me in there as she paid for me and got me started.  I studied and trained in Karate until I got my Black Belt, then after watching the early UFC events I began training and competing in both Muay Thai and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  That's kind of the journey that led me to doing mixed martial arts.

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

Jason: Take your time in your amateur career and get lots of experience so you are ready when you turn pro.  Experience is everything in this sport and your amateur career is for learning about your strengths and weaknesses.  You can't erase losses off of your professional record.

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

Jason: I'd have to say the Gracie's for bringing this great sport to everyone's attention.  I mean they are pretty much responsible for starting MMA here in North America.  Also, my favorite fighter still competing today is Randy Couture.  The guy just loves to compete and is still able to compete with the best of the best even at his age.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against George Sotiropoulos on November 21st.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Jason: It's going to be a tough one.  George is a stud and is 3-0 in the UFC right now.  His boxing is decent and his Jiu-Jitsu is phenomenal.  I believe in everyone's eyes that I'm the underdog in this fight and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to prove everyone wrong.

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

Jason: Training in my academy to me is like a second home.  I love the workouts and the competition.  I may sometimes show up to the gym in a bad mood, but I always seem to leave with a smile after having been there.

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

Jason: My sister helped keep me straight and out of too much trouble, my parents kept me fed with a roof over my head, and my uncle and cousin toughened me up.

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

Jason: To be honest, martial arts is my life right now.  I own and operate the GriffonRawl MMA Academy (www.ohio-mma.com) in which I coach and train over twenty active amateur fighters and also have four other pro fighters as well.  The gym alone would be enough to keep me busy between teaching private lessons, teaching group lessons, traveling to shows to corner my guys, and everything else involved.  I also obviously fight professional as well and we all know that takes up a lot of time too.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Jason: That's a really weird question.  I'm guessing this doesn't have to be MMA-related.  When I close my eyes and try to remember back as far into my childhood as possible all I can think of is playing in my old backyard with my sister Lamatha and my old dog Yo Yo.  My sister and I used to build some huge igloos.

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

Jason: I'm a very much a family guy.  My favorite downtime is just hanging out with my family, any of them.  I'm not real big on going out and partying or anything like that.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Jason: In order of importance I would have to say as a good husband, son, brother, uncle, coach, and then fighter.

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 Jason Dent in the following places:

Official Jason Dent MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/dynamitedent

Official GriffonRawl MMA Academy Site:

http://www.ohio-mma.com

Official GriffonRawl MMA Academy MySpace Page:

http://www.myspace.com/griffinrawl

Jason Dent on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jason-Dent-8321

Jason Dent Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/8321

10 Questions With Martin Sandoval (by Darrick Patrick)

Martin "Tarzan" Sandoval is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as Palace Fighting Championship, Extreme Combat, PureCombat, and Gladiator Challenge.  At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Ulysses Gomez in Tachi Palace Fights at TPF 1 on October 8th, 2009.

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

Martin: Well, I mainly got to where I'm at due to the training aspect of MMA because I'm just addicted to all of the workouts.  On top of that, I'm in love with the discipline that is involved within martial arts.

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

Martin: Don't do anything half-ass, always be humble, train as hard as you can every moment that you're in the gym, and most of all it is important to always honor your instructor.  He is your general and will lead you to the correct path.  Mixed martial arts isn't simply a sport or a hobby, MMA is a lifestyle and you have to live it to the fullest.

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

Martin: I respect everyone in the sport that gets in the ring or a cage.  It takes a lot of courage to do what most MMA fighters do.

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Ulysses Gomez on October 8th.  What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Martin: He is an excellent opponent, I've been looking forward to this fight for about a year now and I'm ready.  I'm just here to put on a great show for the people.

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

Martin: The outcome of having not so much a team, but a family.  Just being together with the Last Stand family bleeding, sweating, hurting, all of it.  They're the best thing that has ever happened to me.  That's where I get my fulfillment.

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

Martin: The number one person who influenced me is my dad.  He's been a huge part of why I've never given up.  Also all of my family, brothers, my girlfriend, and now Professor Tom Theofanopoulos.

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

Martin: I have been playing soccer for twenty years, I love riding my road bike, rock climbing, and scuba diving.

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

Martin: I'm a really sensitive guy and very emotional.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Martin: My first birthday is as far back as I can remember.

Darrick: If you were stranded in a jungle with only three items, what would they be?

Martin: I wouldn't need anything - I'm Tarzan, remember?  I live in the jungle, I'd make everything for the beauty of the wild.  (Laughs)

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 Martin Sandoval in the following places:

Official Martin Sandoval MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/mataleon125

Martin Sandoval on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Martin-Sandoval-31967

Martin Sandoval Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/31967