Here's the interview... I must apologize that Mayhem wouldn't interview and Sherk/Florian haven't gotten back to me yet(so I assume a 'no'). I DID get Jeremy 'Scorpion' Jackson, who is one of my personal faves.
1.) The ever-infamous, ever-asked... always annoying question... What style of martial arts did you start with, and at what age?
JJ: My first art was Boxing at the age of nine.
2.) You were obviously introduced to MMA at some point and time. What made you want to fight MMA?
JJ: I watched a video that my older brother brought home with Royce and Ken. I was fighting on the street all the time, and wanted to fight someone that was worth fighting. Never thought I would be on T.V.
3.) Where did the nickname 'Scorpion' come from?
JJ:Fans and team mates started calling me that. I had a tattoo on my chest of a scorpion, and people said I would sting people with my hands.
4.) Walk us through a typical training day in the life of the Scorpion.
JJ: Its about a 8 hour training day. First thing I do is run in the morning. After that Wrestle. Then I rest. I usually box after that. I go for a swim. And I finish with weights.
5.) You participated on TUF 4. Alot of people gave you a good shot at making the finals at least, if not winning the contract. So the question is- why did you blow it?
JJ: I didn't think I would be blowing it. I thought I would get away with what I was doing. A lot of people think that it would be fun to be on the show. But once your there it sinks in. No phone, tv, radio, music of any kind. Trust me if it wouldn't have been me it would have been someone else. If you look back at every season someone always leaves the house.
6.) What to you view as your best fighting attribute?(ex: heart, power, speed, endurance, chin, kicks, knees...)
JJ: My power and speed.
7.) Now, conversely... what is your WEAKEST fighting attribute?
JJ: I cant tell you that. Its a secret.
8.) The UFC has recently acquired both the WFA and WEC organizations. How do you, as a fighter, feel this will affect the competition in all of the UFC's weight divisions?
JJ: I dont really care about the competition. Because in my weight class I have a hard division. All the best fighters are at 170. So the UFC can buy out who ever they want. It wont effect me.
9.) Your loss to Pete Spratt was due to a neck injury. Explain how it happened for people(like me) who haven't seen that fight.
JJ: When I was trying to take Pete down he would press down on my neck. It hurt when I turned it side to side. But looking down hurt the worse. And when I had him up against the fence. He was pressing my head down. I was hurting so bad that I tapped. Because of my neck I felt very sloppy and sluggish.
10.) There is no Question 10. What is your response?
JJ: LOL! This is the best question ever asked.
11.) Of your 8 wins on your 8-5-0 record, 5 have been TKO, two have been subs, and only one went to decision. What, in your opinion as a fighter, is the difference in winning via decision and winning via KO/TKO or subs?
JJ: Winning by a KO and TKO feels a lot better. Winning by decision is not that special.
12.) Recently, PRIDE has been having lots of issues- from Yakuza rumours to losing their TV deal, to rumors that Mirko Cro-Cop has signed with the UFC. Do you see PRIDE being able to survive the year 2007?
JJ: I said it before that Pride will have a hard time surviving here in the states. Because they are used to the fans over in Japan. They never booo! Here in the states that is all you here. The fighters from Pride will hate it.
12.) MMA in the United States has overtaken boxing in popularity as the combat sport of choice. Do you see MMA in the mainstream as a passing fad- like Chia Pets and hippies- or something that's gonna be mainstream for a long, long time?
JJ: MMA is just a baby right now, and it is still passing up Boxing. It will take over everything by 2008.
13.) Corruption in MMA. It's in boxing. It's probably starting to rear it's ugly face in North American MMA as well, seeing as it's popularity has exploded. Do you think MMA will be easily corrupted, or do you feel it can stand strong, even with Cecil P.(can't spell his last name) scoring fights 30-28 and 30-27 in favor of the guy who LOST?
JJ: I think it will happen sooner or later. Anywhere you have money you will have corruption.
14.) Nick Diaz. You beat him in 2002. He then proceeded to beat you twice in 2003. You want to fight him again? And if so, what would you do differently?
JJ: If Nick and I were to fight again, he would not take me down. I would win by knockout again.
15.) Sum up your fighting philosophy in no more than four words- and no, it does NOT have to be in English, though a translastion will be required for non-english phrases.
JJ: Never give up!
XiaolinFighter: Thanks for letting us do this to ya, this is the longest interview I've given out yet... then again, there's been more happening recently in MMA.
© 2006 LoveUFC.com, courtesy of XiaolinFighter.
You may not reproduce, use, or sell, any descriptions or tapings or recordings of this interview without the express written consent of Major League Baseball and other conditions.*
*Contact XiaolinFighter for other conditions.
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