King of the Cage is proud to launch Jo-Jo's Back Cage Kronicles.
Jo Jo is a San Diego based Mixed Martial Arts journalist. Jo Jo will be contacting fighters both cage-side and by way of the internet to provide interviews, articles and photos of some of the biggest and up and coming fighters from all over the world.
The views and opinions in this write up are those of JO - JO

Interview with Don "The Dragon" Wilson

Anybody familiar with MMA or any realm of the Martial Arts is sure to recognize the legendary name of Don "The Dragon" Wilson. His devotion and love for every facet of the Martial Arts will last forever and he is continuously striving to share his participation and wisdom of MMA with the world. I was honored to have this very humble conversation with "The Man" himself at the Avi Casino on the fight day of King Of The Cage- "Caged Chaos".

JO-JO: Don "The Dragon Wilson"! What's up? You've covered Mixed Martial Arts for such a long time!

DDW: That's right...yes I did. I started with the UFC...since the third UFC. It has really grown. It's really evolved into a great sport now. Ya know, there was a lot of experimenting going on with no weight divisions and no gloves and all that but now it's really gotten to be the best form of fighting sport in the world. If you like to see two guys fight..you love NHB. It's the best!

JO-JO: Don, you are such a prolific person in the Martial Arts World. You always do such a great job with your live commentating. It always sounds great on the KOTC DVD's and Pay-per-view events. How does it feel to be such a huge part of the MMA world? You dedicated your life to it....

DDW: Well, you know I love this sport and I love Martial Arts so for me, anything I can do positive such as add to it...that's great! I mean...I love it! As a matter of fact, I've been talking to Terry about fighting in King of the Cage!!!! Yeah, so that's really what I'd like to do. You know?, I would like one fight! I would then get out of the competition cause ya know, I think I might be beyond my prime as a fighter. I would like to fight one fight and hopefully in King of the Cage. That would be my last gift to the Martial Artist.

JO-JO: That would be a wonderful thing. I am sure that everyone in the world would love to see you out there...Would you prefer to go more-so under K-1 rules in your KOTC finale or would you rather really take it to the ground and work submissions?

DDW: Yeah, I would work submissions! I was a wrestler in college before I ever did Martial Arts so for me the grappling comes naturally. I really had to learn to punch and kick but Wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu comes natural to me. You know... I trained with Gene Labell and many others in the past because I've considered doing this sport cause...IT'S REALLY SAFER!!!!

A goog friend of mine "Maurice Smith" was a Kickboxer and he went to the grappling career when his Kickboxing career was over because of "LESS STRIKES". He always used to tell me that even if the other guy wins....you are not limping around, grabbing your knees and your ankles and your back and neck and.....you are actually able.. as a fighter, I believe; more able to compete in this sport (MMA) than say...Kickboxing.

JO-JO: What a great thing the Jiu-Jitsu style has done to add more dimensions to a fight and also provide protection to all the fighters. You had a very big role in introducing this aspect from a very early time....

DDW: Well, right after the third UFC I started announcing because I went to a live event and saw Gracie submit Kimo. Actually (Gracie) was so tired he could not continue fighting. At that point, I saw the safety of the sport...

One of the main things that makes this sport safer than Boxing or Kickboxing is that if you are out-classed or if you are having a bad fight or get in a bad position, you can honorably tap-out. Everyone will clap and you will go home. If you ever quit in a Kickboxing match.....you're a bum. You will never fight again. I think Doran one time did this "No Mas" thing in Boxing. Now, this was one of the greatest fighters ever and they called him a "Bum". You just can't quit in any other sport except "This Sport"!!! That is what makes this more safe than any other contact sport. If you are actually getting your rear end handed to you and you are in a damaging position...the guy has got you by the neck or the ankle; you can tap out and get clapped and cheered and you can go home safe. That in my opinion is what makes this the safest combat sport in the world.

JO-JO: Are you going to be commentating tonight at this live King of the Cage event?

DDW: Yes. That is why I'm here tonight. I am here to commentate and also try and negotiate with Terry a fight with Krazy Horse. It may happen. It may not. (HUMOR) You know, he's a little smaller than me and unfortunately, I just left the buffet... I am right now probably a Cruiserweight!! If I have one more buffet, I'll be a Heavyweight and the fight will be dead but.. I am here to announce and maybe fight myself in King of the Cage one day.

JO-JO: I am totally stoked to talk to you and on cloud NUMERO 9! Everyone in the MMA world respects and loves you for your significant accomplishments. I feel safe saying that out loud man!! You have a history that goes way beyond the norm. I quote you sometimes when I say "Nobody ever wants to be known for the strength of their chin" (laughter)....

DDW: Man, don't ever say that about me! I got a chin of glass! All you gotta do is tap it and I'll go right out for you!!! (LAUGHTER)!!!!

JO-JO: Did you always consider yourself a counter fighter?

DDW: I've always been a counter fighter and they used to call me a "Technician"....but I have 48 KO's on my record. I sent 48 guys "out" on stretchers and from 1980 untill today I never fought anybody who was not a Top 10 or a World Champion themselves. It wasn't like I fought a bunch of bums....a bunch of guys with no win records. I fought contenders and champions from 1980 until my very last match.

JO-JO: You were always so illusive and an awesome fighter in there. I cannot wait to share this convo with the KingoftheCage.com viewers. Your enthusiasm of this sport is a breeding ground for new fans everywhere!!!

DDW: Well, you never lose in the ring. At the end of tonight, everyone is either going to be declared with a win or a loss on their record but as long as you improve yourself you can NEVER BE A LOSER. To tell you the truth, the fights that I lost on my record, I got more information and more valuable lessons because when you lose, you go through it over and over again...and...when you win; you go out and celabrate!!! When you lose you "learn more".

The reality is that all the fighters tonight are winners. The crowd is supporting all of this which is a great thing because to support Martial Arts in any way shape or form is a great thing for society. Hopefully the fans will check my movies out too.

JO-JO: Let the plug go bro....

DDW: Yeah, my last movie is called "The Last Sentinal" and it should come out later this year (07) sometime. It's a Sci-Fi Film with Katie Sacoff from Battlestar Gallactica in it and it has a great cast. Go rent the DVD.

JO-JO: Do you do your own stunts?

DDW: Well, everything that has fight action...I do...but when you see jumping off buildings...I do not!! Crash the cars?... I do not! (laughter)

JO-JO: Well, we love you and it is an honor once again to discuss the lucrative career that you have had and it's impact on the MMA world and King Of The Cage!!! Thank you for the wealth of knoweledge you have brought to all tha fans of KOTC!!!!

DDW: Thank you and good luck...

JO-JO: I'm astounded ...Thank you much...

It is the honor and respect of this sport and all Martial Arts that can lead a man or woman to a forever untapped well in the future that ultimatly pays in so much more than "financial gains" but more importantly....in "Quality of Life".

Don "the Dragon" Wilson is a permanent staple in the MMA and Traditional Martial Arts world.. not only for his exceptional record as a fighter but because he has reached the well that maintains the heart and integrity of a person.