Editor’s Note: We at LastWordOnSports are pleased to offer you a new column “On the MMA Road” that will focus on bringing you interviews and an in-depth perspective on fighters who are lesser known but are very much up-and-comers in the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
Occupation: Fighter. It’s the best way to describe Chad George, as those two words define who he is professionally, but also in his private life.
Within the scope of his fighting career, Chad George has become best known for his tilts in the WEC, against the likes of John Hosman, Scott Jorgenson and Antonio Banuelos. However, more recently George has gained some attention for his gripping and intimate portrayal of a fighter in the documentary, “Occupation: Fighter”. In my opinion, not since “The Smashing Machine” have we been given such a personal look into one man’s attempt at balancing his personal life and professional fighting career. The honest, no holds barred film, is definitely worth your time.
We sat down with Chad George and he shared he his thoughts on a number of subjects surrounding his career and some hot button issues in the world of MMA.
What got you started in the first place in MMA, and what drew you to fighting?
Well, I never really knew that I wanted to fight when it first happened, I was just looking to get into shape and I was in school with a guy that I worked on project with invited me to go into a jiu-jitsu class with him and I kind of fell in love with it and eventually MMA. The rest is history.
What got you inspired into starting into MMA? Was it a particular person? Or was it the experience of getting started with your friend?
Well, again even when I got started it was kind of random. I had been training for a short period of time, and a guy that I was training with had given the option of taking a fight that week, and I really didn’t even know what to say – I was like ‘what are you talking about?’. I had only been training for like a month, it was something that I hadn’t even considered, and it was kind of like all of the variables that led up to it were so surreal that I didn’t realize that I had said “yes” when I was on my way out to Mexico to fight.
Is there a fighter that you model your style after, or do you have more of your own unique style that you’ve built over the years?
Yeah, you know I think the style that I have is very wrestling-based. I’ve wrestled my whole life, but over the years I’ve taken in a lot of different styles – muay-thai, jiu-jitsu – and then putting it all together. You know what’s kind of nice, is that being an artist, my original background, the great thing about MMA is that I can be really creative in the ring. You know, that’s one of things that I think I have that is very unique – I can do new things in every fight.
What was the most defining fight of your career?
I feel like every fight in my career is important for my personal growth. However, I think the Banuelos fight and how it was highlighted in the documentary. Because I went through so many physical and emotional changes that were deeply moving as far as things that allowed me to grow as a person. They really defined the person that I am today. That was a huge turning point.
Do you have another fight planned soon?
I had some injuries that were documented in the film that have been bothering me for awhile, and I am actually going to go and get those taken care of. We decided that as of the new year, I am going to make 2013 the biggest year of my career, but in order to do that I have to be 100% healthy. I really haven’t been healthy for three years. Next month I am having back surgery where I am going to clean out the blown out disc that I was having problems with and then start the rehab process and look to fight mid-year.
If you had the opportunity to fight anyone in the world today, who would it be?
That is such a tough question. Actually you know what? I would actually like to take my last fight with Joe Soto. I was in great shape I made one simple mistake and he caught me. That would be one I would love to do again.
After getting a better sense about how Chad got started in the game we took some time to learn more about the documentary, “Occupation: Fighter”, that has recently gained him a lot of visibility in not only the fight world, but the sports world in general.
Moving along into what has recently gairnered you the most notoriety, the documentary “Occupation: Fighter”. What was the impetus behind making the documentary?
Well, actually I was approached by the director, Andre Enzensberger, about doing a film – initially it was to help him understand the sport because he wasn’t really a fan – he was actually a neighbour of my girlfriend and me. I was walking around the neighbourhood and I had a black eye, and his wife was friends with my girlfriend and he asked about it. She (my girlfriend) had told him that I was getting ready for a fight, and he asked more about it. He Googled me and saw that I actually was involved in the fight game. He was really interested in doing a documentary about educating people about the sport and he really enjoyed my story about my art and stuff. So, he wanted to do this film and have me a part in it, and the only I way I told him I would do it would be if I could have a hands-on role in making sure that it kept to the real story of the sport and didn’t get watered down. He was all for it, and the film got made, and the last year and a half has just been incredible. The feedback we’ve gotten from the MMA community, as well as the athletic community, has been amazing.
What other windfall have you reaped as a result of the documentary?
Now that it’s internationally available on itunes and Amazon, its been pretty incredible. You’re from Canada and the fact that we’re having a conversation across lands about it is pretty amazing. I’ve been doing things with people in Ireland, England, Austria, Australia – so, you know it’s been pretty incredible that this is reaching such a global awareness. It’s unbelievable.
Have you been engaged by (fight) promoters more so than before since the documentary came out?
Yes. We get a lot of e-mails from promoters wanting to know if they can negotiate a fight. What’s really important to me is getting healthy right now. It’s great because right now I have such a large following, not just in LA or the States, but internationally, that all of those fans will follow and support me into the “big show” (UFC) – that’s what I’m looking for!
Chad and I also discussed some the key politics currently surrounding the world of MMA
No one can deny that the first season of TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) was responsible for bringing MMA and the UFC to a mainstream audience, but I’ve kind felt like it’s been overdone. What’s your take?
I think so. It’s kind of turned it to, ‘see how much nonsense you can put with without actually being able to fight’. So, I think it’s pretty tough. Everyone is going in there trying to prove that they belong in the UFC, but it’s kind of turned into a freak show to get in there. Everyone is drinking and pulling pranks, and to me that’s not really about fighting. I do understand that everyone puts up with it because you’re willing to do what you have to, to get your foot in the door.
What’s your thoughts re: ‘the non-proven title shot’, for example Sonnen v. Jones
Do I think he deserves it? No. Do I think it’s going to be an entertaining fight? Yes. So, I think it’s just one of those calls that the promotion has to make to say that ‘this is going to be an entertaining fight’. The problem that I see with that is that it takes away the idea that you need to build your way up to get a title shot. It takes away from the idea that you need to build your way up to be a world champion. It shows that you can just be a marketing tool and get that shot. I think it’s kind of upsetting to the athletes that have worked their way up there, and I think it’s kind of a slap in the face to the fans.
Who would you put down as your top pound-for-pound?
I think this is actually pretty easy. You’ve got Anderson Silva, who is hands down probably the pound-for-pound best in the sport. Jose Aldo, and then also Cain Velasquez.
In terms of base technique, which do you think is best?
I think a lot of these guys now it just comes down to good, crisp boxing – and that’s something new in the sport. It used to be all about muay thai and wrestling, where as now people are adding the traditional western boxing to it all – and I think it’s all starting to show. Guys like Aldo and Velazquez are going in there and showing us that they’re high level boxers.
What’s your take on PED’s?
You know, I have mixed feelings on it. I think that hard work should be enough to get you there, that’s just the way I grew up. I don’t think you should need PED’s. Danny Gable (Iowa State Wrestling Coach) said that, ‘people are using it, and maybe are doing so because they’re weak mentally’.
Do you buy the PED excuse of ‘I didn’t realize I had taken them’?
You know what you put into your body. Any way you look at it. You might let yourself be ignorant to it, and just not question it. You know what you put in your body, if you didn’t know what it was – why would you put in your body? I know when I am getting ready for a fight. I know every detail of what goes into my body down to the ounce – and I know this because that’s what a pro athlete should be doing.
What’s your take on Dana White? Do you think he’s a good spokeman for the sport?
He’s a pivotal monument to the sport. I think he’s been great for the sport and done a lot for the sport. However, I don’t think he should be the ideal face for the UFC. I just think the sport is about the fighters, and that they should be given the spotlight, not that they’re not, but I think they should be at the forefront.
Do you feel like the UFC may have killed the sport a little with so many events in 2012?
Yeah, I think a little. I think they’re trying to approach it just like the other sports, and trying to create as much awareness as possible. However, I do think it did remove a little bit of the prestige of it.
How do you feel about ‘super fights’?
I love them! I think that’s what we need.
Which (super fight) would you like to see most?
Jon Jones and Anderson Silva. I think that’s the fight… that’s the Ali vs. Foreman fight that everyone wants to see. It proves who is the best in the business.
Women’s MMA – what are your thoughts?
It’s great for the sport. You’ve got women’s baseball and basketball, why not women’s MMA? I’ve got a lot of hard-nosed and competitive women in my jiu-jistu class. It think it’s great. I think there needs to be more women who are willing to step-up their training program, because in order to be a fighter you have to look beyond gender and look at that person as a fighter.
How about Ronda Rousey headlining UFC 157? Do you think that was a good call?
I think that was tough. Do I think she’s great fighter – yes? Do I think as the first one (women’s MMA fight)… I don’t know.
To wrap it all up, I have only one thing to say: fighters like Chad are a true inspiration to those in sport – not just MMA. Allowing the fans into his life to show us that fighters are just as human as the rest of us, shows what kind of mental fortitude he has. We wish Chad the best in his future events, and look forward to seeing him in the UFC one day soon.
… and that is the last word.
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