King of the Cage - Krazy Mike's Corner - Interview with Tyson Griffin

The views and opinions in this write up are those of Krazy Mike

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Interview with Tyson Griffin Gladiator Champion
October 12, 2005

This interview is with Newly Crowned Gladiator Champion with a big win over Urijah Faber giving Urijah his first loss as a professional MMA Fighter. (136lbs-145lbs)

KM: You just beat Urijah Faber to win the Gladiator Challenge Belt, do you feel the cut in the first round from the bar in the cage made a difference for the remainder of the fight?
TG: - The bottom line is that Urijah hit his own head against the cage. Not only that, he came on stronger and was talking trash during the stoppage to check the cut. I feel that the big difference in the fight was the uppercut that I landed at the end of the first round. He looked wobbly.

KM: I interviewed Urijah and he wants a rematch really bad, are you up for a rematch?
TG: I already told him that he will get his rematch it is only a matter of when and where and I will be waiting at the scale, again!...and the weight limit will be 155.

KM: What is your official record in MMA?
TG: 3 - Wins 0 - Loses

KM: When training for a fight, how many days and hours do you train?
TG: When training for a fight I train 5 days a week and 3-4 hours per day.

KM: What are your goals for your remaining MMA career?
TG: I want to keep fighting and working towards being the best in the world as long as I am still having fun.

KM: Who is your favorite fighter and why?
TG: My favorite fighter is Takanomi Gomi by far. I like the way he fights and is willing to trade. He also has one of the best chins at the lightweight division

KM: What do you think of KOTC on PPV?
TG: I like all fights on PPV and KOTC is one of the best shows. We get together as a team and watch a lot of the shows on PPV, I also own the KOTC ten pack and watch it often.

KM Would you like to open your own school someday?
TG: I would definitely like to open a school of my own, but it would be after I'm done competing as a fighter.

KM: Are you single or Married? Do you have any kids?
TG: I'm single as can be and don't have any children.

KM: What do you do for fun when you are not training for a fight?
TG: -I like the outdoors and try to go camping as much as I can. I like to party a little bit too, so I go out to clubs in the bay area from time to time.

KM: Out of all your fights that you have won who was your toughest fight?
TG: The fight with Urijah was my toughest. It was a challenge to make 145lbs and my other two fights didn't go past the first round.

KM: Do you have any Sponsors?
TG: I have a few sponsors and they have been a great help in my career. They are:
Andrew Goldthorpe, over at Northbay Firearms. Joey and Mitch at Imperial Alloy

KM: Who are your training coach's?
TG: My head coach and Jiu Jitsu instructor is Dave Terrell. My kickboxing coaches are Billy Olson and Dmitri Ushkanov. I also had help from my boxing coach Rosendo Sanchez.

KM: Do you have a manager?
TG: Yeah, Tom Call has been helping me through my career. He manages all the Nor Cal Fighters.

KM: What got you into MMA/NHB Fighting?
TG: I got into MMA through wrestling. I got into Jiu Jitsu from a friend and that's when I met Dave Terrell and the rest of the Nor Cal Fighting Alliance.

KM: How did you get into Gladiator Challenge?
TG: My teammates started fighting in Gladiator Challenge and I wanted to get in there and test my skills.

KM: Did you ever have any underground fights?
TG: No, I never participated in any underground fights. But who hasn't had to defend themselves a few times.

KM: Do you like to stand and bang or do you like to take the fight to the ground?
TG: I Love to stand and trade punches but I do have a grappling background and will fight on the ground.

KM: Anyone you would like to fight?
TG: I don't have any names in particular. My manager and head coach decide who I fight and they know what is best for me and I trust their decisions.

KM: What advice could you give to someone just staring out in MMA fighting?
TG: Don't get in the cage with me!.......Seriously though, find an academy that will treat you like a family and train hard.

KM: What do you do for your cardiovascular workouts?
TG: When training for fights our team runs a street named Fountain Grove. The street is a steep hill that is three miles long and at the end of the hill we run sprints.

KM: Out of Body, Mind, and Heart. Which is the most Important for a fighter to have?
TG: In order to be a complete fighter you must have all three.

KM: On behalf of Krazy Mike's Korner and kingofthecage.com, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Would you like to give any shout outs to anyone?
TG: I have to thank my mom, Mary Griffin. She has been there and supported me in everyway imaginable. Even if she doesn't want her son to get punched in the face for a living. Thanks Mom. Also want to Thank my team Nor Cal Fighting Alliance, My coaches Dave Terrell, Billy Olson, Dmitri Ushkanov, and Rosendo Sanchez. My manager Tom Call. My sponsors Andrew Goldthorpe at Northbay Firearms. Joey and Mitch at Imperial Alloy. Last but not leat Krazy Mike and kingofthecage.com for the interview.