10 Questions With Matt Brown (by Darrick Patrick)
Matt "The Immortal" Brown is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Next Level Fighting, United Fight League, FightFest, Gracie Fighting Championships, International Sport Combat Federation, Real Fighting Championships, Combat In The Cage, Absolute Fighting Championships, International Freestyle Fighting, and the Gracie Fighting League. He also appeared on the seventh season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter.
Darrick: What was the road that led you to professional mixed martial arts competition?
Matt: It started back when I was maybe nineteen or twenty years old. I was drinking a lot and partying hard daily. Some friends of mine and I went to a fight, and I loved it. The next fight - I signed up. I had to pay thirty dollars to fight, I had never trained a day in my life, and I was drunk as hell. I ended up winning and decided that this was something I would really like to pursue, but didn't really give it a hundred percent until I was twenty-four years old and went to the IMB Columbus. I started training really hard and fighting at least every month. The rest is history.
Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?
Matt: A lot of negative people. Drug dealers, gangsters, etc. - I got away from all of that stuff after MMA though.
Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?
Matt: There is a warm-up first - then on to sparring, drilling, or strength and conditioning. The cool-down and stretching is the last part.
Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?
Matt: Take your time, do it right, and make sure you are surrounded with experienced, reputable guys before assuming that you are good enough to fight. After that, train like a psycho and fight like a madman.
Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?
Matt: Becoming a stronger, more disciplined, and overall better person is the best feeling. Also, the achievement of goals that were set is extremely fulfilling.
Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?
Matt: Wanderlei Silva comes to mind first because he was my first "favorite fighter". I love his style and I think he brings a positive attitude to the game. Rich Franklin is definitely high on my list. I train with him regularly now and see his work ethic, intelligence, and overall desire to get better - and it helps me become a better fighter myself. Matt Hume has to be on the list because he has taught me more in the short time that I have worked with him than I learned in the past four years or so of my training.
Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?
Matt: I play guitar, I love motorcycles (I have a Suzuki DR 400), and I like nature - hiking, fishing, etc.
Darrick: What is your oldest memory?
Matt: Playing with fire trucks in the hallway when I was less than three years old.
Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.
Matt: I sleep on railroad ties.
Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like people to remember you?
Matt: As the greatest fighter that ever lived...duh.
FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835
You can also check out Matt Brown in the following places:
Official Matt Brown Website:
http://www.mattbrown-mma.com
Official Matt Brown MySpace Profile:
http://www.myspace.com/live2fight_fight2live
Matt Brown on Fight Finder:
http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/matt-brown-14310
Matt Brown Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:
http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/14310/
