In the growing sport of mixed martial arts, we are seeing more and more young athletes train in different aspects specifically for MMA.
T.J. Laramie has limitless potential as a young MMA fighter as he has had great success in wrestling, kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. Fighters such as Sam Stout have sparred with him in the gym and have been very surprised about how overwhelming he is at such a young age.
Laramie actually won a fight against an experienced MMA fighter in Japan on March, 15. He was able to compete in a professional match because you do not have to be 18 in Japan to compete in mixed martial arts. There is a lot of hype behind this young star from Windsor, Ontario, Canada and I was able to talk with Laramie to ask him some questions about his success in competition thus far and his future in MMA.
Todd Parkinson: “What are some of the credentials that you have had in wrestling, kickboxing and jiu-jitsu?”
T.J. Laramie: “In wrestling I was the runner-up at the high school OFSAA (provincial) tournament and I placed 4th in Nationals. In kickboxing I was the 147 lb North-American champion and IKA world champion at 153 lbs and was the no gi jiu-jitsu champion in California.”
TP: “What initially got you into MMA?”
TJL: “I started out as just a fan and then I knew I was an athlete and had to test myself and I believe I have what it takes to do really well in the sport.”
TP: “Who do you look up to in MMA and what fighters have inspired you?”
TJL: “Well, Georges St. Pierre of course, but lately it has been Muhammad Ali and Frankie Edgar. I love fighters that are able to persevere through the hard times to come out victorious at the end. That is the type of fighter that I want to be like, I look up to those fighters a lot.”
TP: “What are some of your goals in MMA?
TJL: “To fight for the UFC within 2 years and eventually get a world title. I also would love to be a world champion in kickboxing also.”
TP: “What famous MMA fighters have you trained with and what is it like to compete with them in the gym?”
TJL: “Sam Stout is somebody that I have trained with and he taught me a lot of things in the gym. Chris Horodecki is another one and Josh Hill from WSOF is another one that has really helped me to move to the next level in combat sports.”
TP: “Where do you see yourself at age 21?”
TJL: “I see myself in the top 10 of either the 145 or 135 division in the UFC on the way to fighting for the title.”
TP: “Do you have any Olympic goals?”
TJL: “No, not really. It’s kind of out of the picture in my life and there is no money in it. I see myself going a lot farther in MMA and that is what I am working towards.
TP: “Do you have any fights lined up at the moment?”
TJL: “Not at the moment, but I am signed with Pancrase in Japan and should have one lined up soon.”
TP: “For when you do have a fight, what should the guy across the cage expect from you?”
TJL: “He should expect the hardest fight of his life! No matter who it is, I am going to outclass them in every aspect of MMA and will break them to eventually get my hand raised. I fight to come out on top and that is what I have trained for.”
Just talking to Laramie, I noticed that he is extremely confident at such a young age. He has known nothing but success in competition and I believe he is the next great star to come out of Canada. If he continues to improve and be successful, his name could be up there with the likes of Rory MacDonald and GSP.
