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Interview with Tiger Shark's Brad Blackburn Interview by Michael Angelo, Pictures by Mike Renouard This week, the IFL on Fox Sports Net is showing the fights between the Seattle Tiger Sharks and the Portland Wolfpack which took place at the Portland Memorial Coliseum on September 9th. All Northwest MMA fans should make a point to watch this one-hour episode to see local NW fighters serving up some world-class fight action on national TV.
NW FightScene had a chance to speak with TIger Shark, Brad Blackburn, at the weigh-ins the day before his bout with Wolfpack welterweight, Chris Wilson.
NWFS: How are you today Brad? Brad Blackburn: I'm alright. I just got done weighing in, and I'm ready to go.
NWFS: What's it like training with Maurice Smith? Blackburn: It's nice being able to train with someone who's one of the best kick boxers in the world. He definitely has a lot to show me. He's improved my stand-up skills a lot, given me a lot more confidence, and also conditioning. I felt that my weakness was my conditioning. He's real hard on his guys about being in shape, so that's good for me.
NWFS: Tell us about your background before working with Maurice, if you would. Blackburn: I worked with Dennis Hallman... and Benji Radach, Joey Guel... I trained at AMC for a while. I had a lot of technique, my fighting's good, but like I said I lacked cardio. Actually all my losses, except for the last one, were from [a lack of] conditioning. If you saw my fights it's pretty obvious. Now that I've got that out of the picture, it'll be nice to see how things go. It's been going good so far.
NWFS: Super. What kind of experiences do you guys have in the gym? I know Mo's a real practical joker. What's the funniest thing you've encountered, outside of the shot glass thing last night? Blackburn: Oh, you seen that?!? [laughter] We're basically arguing [humorously] all the time, constantly. Always, constantly arguing.
NWFS: How ready are you for your bout tomorrow night? Blackburn: I'm ready, I'm in great shape. I trained hard for the fight. I'm ready to go three solid rounds. So you know, at this point, after all the hard work and everything, I just want to get it done, you know?
NWFS: How's this fight going to end? Blackburn: I would love for it to end by knock-out, with me knockin' him out. I'm overdue for a knock-out. I want one really bad, so I'm going to be going for it.
NWFS: What kind of tunes do you listen to? Blackburn: I like R & B & I like basically everything, except country. I do like some alternative, I like some techno. I like all of it.
(Mo starts gathering the Tiger Sharks for the bus ride in the background &)
NWFS: What do you do for fun outside of MMA? Blackburn: I ride quads a lot. I go to the sand dunes in Oregon a bit. I train. I have kids. I like spending time with my family.
NWFS: How many kids do you have? Blackburn: I have two kids. I have a boy and a girl. My boy's about 5, just started school this year, and my girl's one-and-a-half.
NWFS: What does your son think of daddy fighting? Blackburn: Since he's been a baby, he's been going to practice with me and everything, so it's no big deal to him. You know, practice is worse than fights. In practice if you're done in the third round, you still have three more. So you get beat up for 3 rounds instead of one at practice. If he can watch me do that, then & [laughs]
NWFS:
What's the best experience you've had so far?
(It was time for The Tiger Sharks to get on the bus, so we were cut a bit short, in Mo's usual humorous manner.)
Blackburn: [Grinning] You see what I got to go through? [more laughter]
Blackburn: Thanks, see you tomorrow Mike. Watch Brad's fight and all of the TIger Sharks-Wolfpack matchup this Sunday, Oct 8th, at 6 PM on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and replayed during the week. In the Northwest, FSN has the replays scheduled: Wed Oct 11th - 1:00 PM Thurs Oct 12th - 11:00 AM Fri Oct 13th - 4:00 PM You can learn more about The IFL at: www.ifl.tv
On Thursday, November 2nd, the Northwest will see the IFL again as they present the World Team Championship Semi-finals in the Portland Rose Quarter Memorial Coliseum. Matt Lindland's Portland Wolfpack goes against Bas Rutten's Anacondas, and Pat Miletich's Silverbacks takes on Carlos Newton's Dragons with the winners advancing to the finals to compete against each other for the IFL World Team Championship. Also, Allan Goes faces Daniel Gracie in an IFL Superfight, the same night Mark Kerr makes his comeback bout against Mike Whitehead. Be sure to watch our website for ticket
information!
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