Rory,

HI

First of all we appreciate you taking the time to do this interview. We have several questions. You have a unique nickname “Version 2.5”. Where did it come from?

I would like you to tell us how you got it? Who invented, why the 2.5 and if you like it?

 It is funny that you ask where my nickname came from. I actually came up with it myself. I know you aren’t allowed to do that, but I did. I originally had the nickname Version 2.0. I had started training very hard and getting ready for some tough fights at the 205# weight class. I was lifting hard, eating a ton and doing lots of conditioning. I started to get is great shape and hence got the nickname Version 2.0.

I realized that 205# was not the class for me so I started to cut down to 185# and see what I could do there. I picked up the intensity of my training even more and managed to get in even better shape. I felt it was a sort of a metamorphosis. Anyone familiar with software knows that each new version gets a number. My new version was 2.5. Hence the nickname, Version 2.5.

I liked the nickname. It was very motivational. It made me keep to the higher standards that I set for myself.

What are your height, height, age and style as an MMA fighter?

I am 6’2 ½”, presently 205#, and 29 (May 28^th) years old. My style is to be adept in all three ranges of combat: standup, clinch and ground. 

Where are you originally from in the US? And how is the MMA scene in your state?

I was born in Brooklyn, NY, moved to Staten Island, NY and then to Marlboro, NJ. I moved down to Athens, GA when I was 19 to attend the University of Georgia and obtain an engineering degree. I have been down here ever since.

The MMA scene in Georgia is one of the best. We have a few really great promoters putting shows on almost once a month or every other month. There are a lot of great schools in the state as well. Atlanta is a hotbed of good BJJ and good MMA schools. Then there is The HardCore Gym in Athens, which I think is one of the best schools in the Southeast. Although I might be a little biased LOL.

In which martial art did you start training, at what age and who started you in martial arts?

I believe I first started taking TKD in high school. I also trained in a hard style of Japanese karate around the same time. I trained with my brother, Adam. He is three and a half years older then me. He got tired of terrorizing me as a child and wanted me to learn how to fight back. So we started training together. I also wrestled four years in high school.

Currently, what styles do you train for NHB?

I train western boxing, muay thai, Greco-roman wrestling and BJJ.

What is your training routine?

When I am preparing for a fight my routine consists of weight training three days a week, sprint intervals two days a week and training at the gym 5-6 days a week. Training includes boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and BJJ. We do all of it separately and then work to bring it all together.

I am usually doing all of this while working 40+ hours a week and also going to school. It is a lot to keep up with but having so much to do keeps me focused on the tasks at hand.

When did you become an NHB fighter and what made you start competing in this sport?

I think I had my first amateur fight sometime in 2000.  I took a big knee to the head and spent 5 hours in the ER. I was winning the fight 28-2 on the scorecards with 2 minutes left in the final round. I ended up getting 19 stitches.

I have always enjoyed competition. I have done amateur boxing, amateur muay thai and pro kickboxing as well. I like to have a reason to train and to prepare for something is motivating.

Your record on the main web sites is 7-0-5, is it accurate? If the record is not accurate, how many other fights did you have, against whom, when and where did they happen?

That is an accurate professional record.

You have been fighting in some great events such as KOTC(in a cage) and the AFC(in a ring). Where do you like to fight better, in a cage or in a ring and why?

I am not sure. I think it has more to do with who my opponent is which would dictate how I feel about what I fight in. I have had fairly equal success fighting in both. As long as I have enough time to prepare for the cage and the different dimension it adds to the fight I am okay.

What are your goals in these events? I mean, do you think in fighting for a title or simply fight well and use it as a step to get to the bigger events?

My goal in fighting has been to always test myself. Obviously you have to think what effect on your career a loss will have. In all though, I just want to always get better and fight well. I would love to fight in the bigger events and maybe I still will.

It was never my goal to make fighting a career. I have always worked towards a good education and a future career. I am about to start Nursing School at the end of June. I will go to school full time and probably not work much. I hope to continue to train and get a few more fights in.

Which do you consider the main fight of your career, the fight against Daijiro Matsui at Pride-The Best or the fight against Hallamn at the AFC?

I would have to say that the Hallman fight had the makings of being the fight that could have changed my standings in the fight world. My initial opponent was Marcel Ferriera. He unfortunately had to pull out due to an injury. The promoters then put two other opponents in front of me. Various reasons led to not fighting either of them as well. They lastly offered me a chance to still fight for the title against Dennis Hallman. 

I felt I was easily in the best shape of my life, both physically and mentally. I had a good win streak going and was ready for the challenge. I had already been training super hard considering Marcel was my initial opponent and he is no slouch.

 We had some good game plans and were prepared for much of what we thought Dennis would do. I felt great come fight night. As I stood across the ring from Dennis I felt confident that I would win. Losing that fight never once crossed my mind. It unfortunately did not go as we had planned and Dennis had his way with me.

 I had made a post on MMA.tv about the fight. Dennis got his game plan off first and executed it perfectly. Ten out of ten times he wins that fight if it goes like that. I felt I was ready, maybe I wasn’t. Nevertheless, I stepped up, trained my hardest and was ready for the challenge.

Tell us how did you get the opportunity and the experience of fighting in Japan?

My manager at the time, Chris Cordeiro, called me up and asked if I wanted to fight Daijiro Matsui. Honestly at that moment I didn’t even know who he was. What I knew at the moment was he had a lot of experience and was one of the toughest SOBs to ever fight in Japan. I also only had eight days to prepare. You don’t pass up an opportunity to fight a legend like Matsui, especially when a trip to Japan is involved. Those were the worst eight days of training I think I have ever been through.

You had a record of 3-2 before you fought Matsui, what would have been different in that fight if it happens today? and Why?

If that fight happens today I let my hands fly. I was so worried about punching and giving up the takedown that I didn’t punch enough and got taken down anyway LOL. My wrestling is better today as well. It would be a much different fight.

Did you have any chance to submit him during the fight that you didn’t take the advantage?

We spent a lot of time in my guard with me punching him in the face a lot. I did a lot of damage from off my back. I had people say it was one of the better jobs striking off the back they had seen. I went for a sweep that turned into a triangle. He was slippery and immediately stood up and lifted me off the mat. I couldn’t hold on to it but it was close.

Do you think you would have gotten a contract with any Japanese association if you had won against Matsui?

I would rather not think about that LOL.

The event in Pride-The Best is not available in VHS or DVD, please tell us how was your fight against Matsui.

As I stated above, he took me down a few times and I fought with him in my guard. I landed a few good shots standing on him. I honestly think he might have hit me two or three times the entire fight. At one point I got a yellow card which was complete horse poop. I apparently wasn’t bettering my position. They don’t like you to hold guard. I think they saw I was hurting their champ and gave him a slight advantage.

In order to beat the champ you have to finish him. Especially when fighting him on his own turf. I still feel like I won that fight and it was a bad decision. Nevertheless, it was an amazing experience to fight in Japan and to fight Daijiro. They take great care of you over there and put on a fantastic show. I got to speak with Daijiro through an interpreter after the fight. He had some very nice things to say to me and that was worth it alone.

You were coming from a loss to Dustin Denes at the WEFC 1 when you fought against Matsui. And right after that fight you lost to Ted Govola at HCF 1. How did you take these 3 losses in a row?

My loss against Dustin is one of the few that really bothers me. I was so nervous the days leading up to the fight. All I could think about was his black belt. I didn’t have the confidence I have now to fight a guy at his level. Fighters don’t realize that stressing over a fight not only wears you down mentally but physically as well.

I was actually doing very well in the first round. Some say I might have even won the round. I went into the corner after fighting off a sub attempt from under mount. I was spent. I didn’t come out the same fighter in the second round and I lost because of it. I vowed to never let that happen again. I may not win all my fights but I am confident before every one.

I still to this day believe I beat Matsui and Govola. It was my fault leaving in the hands of the judges. I didn’t let my hands fly and I got taken down. I did more damage from the bottom of both opponents as well as on the feet. No worries though, the past is the past.

Did if affect you mentally?

 If anything, it made me a better fighter.

After these 3 losses you were 4-0 in your last 4 fights, and besides this, you have an even record of wins by submission, one KO and one TKO. Do you think you found the right game for you? Why?

I think that my game still needs some more wrestling. Otherwise, I feel I am a pretty well rounded fighter. It has been my mental game that has held me back more then my physical game. I gain more confidence each and every day and with each fight, regardless the outcome.

Of your losses, is there any that you would like a re-match? Why? How was the fight against this fighter that you want a re-match?

Dennis Hallman. I didn’t even get to hit the SOB LOL. I just want a chance to punch him in the face. Even if he subbed me again, I at least would have hit him. That was the worst part about losing in the fashion I did. He took me down so quickly and subbed me soon after. I never even got to punch him. I really wanted to punch him LOL.

You had the chance to test your skills against Americans, one Brazilian, one Argentinean and Japanese. What kind of experience did you learn by facing all these different styles of fighters?

I also fought a South African in South Africa. It was my first professional fight. I don’t think I learned anything based on their ethnicity. I just learned things based on the fights themselves. You learn as much from a loss as you do a win. Each fighter has their own particular style. I have fought a few wrestlers, many BJJ stylists and a brawler or two. After the fight you evaluate your performance and determine what you did well and what you still need work on.

The Argentinean you fought, Diego Vitozky, has a very expressive record in his country, something around 10 wins and 2 losses (including the loss to you). However your fight against him lasted less than a minute. Do you believe that countries like Argentina, that don’t have a big tradition in MMA, need much more experience for a fighter to stand out?

That is certainly possible. They might not have access to the greatest training and that hurts them. I don’t know if I am that much better then Diego, I just happened to get off first and execute before he did. The outcome might be completely different if we were to fight again. I have been fortunate to have some great training over the years. I also have access to a great coach, Adam Singer and great training partners like Forrest Griffin.

When are you fighting again?

I don’t have anything lined up at the moment. Presently, I am just lifting hard and trying to get stronger. I have a few amateurs doing well these days and I am enjoying watching them grow and succeed. I am also helping Forrest get ready for what is next for him. I am a much better training partner for him when I am 205#. I don’t do him as much good when I am cutting down to 185#. He has managed to make it to the “Big Show” and I want to do my part in seeing him continue to be successful. That is very important to me. He has been training with me and Adam at the gym from day one. What he has accomplished in that short time is amazing.

I will continue to train and if something happens along and the time is right, I will be back in the ring or cage. Until then I am content with not preparing for anything. I spent a long period of time training and competing. I was peaked for over a year. It takes a lot out of you. I need a break and I deserve it I think.

Any last words?

First, thank you for the interview. I would like people to know I have two very good instructional DVDs on the market at the moment. They are both clinch instructional DVDs. People whom have purchased them consider them to be two of the better clinch DVDs on the market.

I think some good clinch comes out of our gym and we have done a good job of putting it on DVD. If anyone is interested they can visit our website at www.thehardcoregym.net.

Thank you to Casca-Grossa as well for all the support they have shown me, Forrest and my gym.