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Gary Goodridge Interview
by Gary Edwards (Team Ironlife.com Writer and Moderator)
 Gary Edwards/Ironlife.com: How did you get started with martial arts?
Gary Goodridge: I really started on the fight scene when I was about 19 years old, I boxed for the Canadian National team. So boxing is sort of my foundation. I was watching tv with some buds one night, a UFC fight was on - my friends kept telling me that I could do that, and the UFC was looking for fighters. I contacted the UFC, went for an interview and within weeks I was in the cage. My only formal mma training prior to my first UFC fight (UFC 8) was in the hotel room the night before the fight. My coach and I watched a few of Herrera's tapes and saw that he consistently used a particular move. We practiced a counter move - the crucifix. It was the only defensive move I knew on the ground. I added the elbows.
GE/IL: What kind of mentality do you have when you enter the ring?
GG: I'm very relaxed on the outside, try to remain very controlled. I have to because there's an enormous amount of rage inside waiting to explode on my opponent. I think this is why in many of my early fights, I came on hard and fast. I've tried to change that in my more recent fights, such as my K-1 fight with Mark Hunt. People found that boring.
Aside from that, I'm very focused, thinking about my first attack strategy and then after that, I'm constantly thinking about my next move, counter move - there's a lot going on mentally when you're entering the ring. My biggest worry going in to the ring is that I might disappoint my fans.
GE/IL: What's your basic strategy for a mixed martial arts fight?
GG: Basically, I try to keep my opponent standing. I prefer to stand up and punch. If I need to wear someone down because their cardio's great, I'll use my weight alot, pressuring them. So basic strategy is keep the guy standing until I can hit him so hard he's looking for the shortest distance to the mat.
GE/IL: What has been your most memorable experience in MMA?
GG: I think hitting a contract with Pride, knowing that I was really in the game and would be there for awhile. There are so many great experiences in the fight game. Everything from the bus ride to the venue, the fight, the fans ... it's all good.
GE/IL: What has been your most memorable fight in MMA?
GG: Probably my first UFC experience. UFC 8 was a huge rush for me - tournament style, first fight. I won my first round. Also, it's the one fight people are still talking about
GE/IL: What has been your biggest win in MMA and why?
GG: I'd have to say the fight with Herrera because had I lost that fight and not done something very exciting - I may not have had a second chance at it. It put me in the spot light.
GE/IL: Who is the best wrestler you've faced in mixed martial arts?
GG: That would be a toss up between Tom Erikson and Mark Coleman. I think Tom's a better wrestler, but Mark's a better mma fighter, with his wrestling background.
GE/IL: Who is the best submission wrestler you've fought and why?
GG: John Knapp, my long time coach/trainer. He's 48 years old and I have never been able to beat him.
 GE/IL: Who is the best striker in MMA you've faced and why?
GG: Vovchachyn. He's accurate and powerful. By far the best stiker I've ever had to face. Anyone who beats him standing up just got lucky. He's the most effective, when he connects, you're pretty much done.
GE/IL: Can you compare Fedor and Vov?
GG: Both have strong points, Fedor hits like a sledge hammer, Vov hits like a jack hammer. It's like comparing superman to batman. I'd say Vov is much more accurate with his strikes. Fedor I think is a little more of a thinker than Vov; he seems to be using a well thought out strategy.
GE/IL: As strikers, how do the MMA fighters like Fedor and Vovchachyn compare to K1's best, like Hunt, Bernardo, LeBanner and CroCop?
GG: No comparison in the stand up game specifically because we (me, Fedor and Vovchanchyn) have only really trained as strikers. K-1 fighters have the whole package on a stand up fight. They have striking skills and kicking skills. So in a stand up fight - K-1 over Pride for sure. However, in a Pride fight, fighters go to the ground, that's where I think any K-1 fighter would have a problem. It's a whole new game. So in mma, Pride over K-1.
If you were to put a fighter like Fedor up against someone like CroCop and said that kicking was not allowed - Fedor would likely win.
GE/IL: How did you change your fighting style and training for K1 bouts?
GG: Big change. I had Maurice Smith come to my place for a few months to train. Smith is an amazing instructor. He taught me a completely different fight. A lot more about stalking and waiting, picking your spots and just generally being smart about the fight. The results were fantastic; I don't think I would have done nearly as well as I did in K-1 without Maurice.
Change in fight style, became much more patient, slower - thought about strategy throughout the whole fight. Trained much more closely on leg kicks (and how to avoid them - they hurt like a sonofabitch if someone catches you right). Training was much more about cardio and endurance.
GE/IL: When you fought Mike Bernardo there seemed to be a little hostility between the two of you, what was that about?
GG: When I first fought Bernardo and knocked him out, I was so excited I put both arms up, did a little yahoo. I beleive his corner felt that I over punched him - hit him while on the ground. I'm sure I did - that's the difference between K-1 and Pride rules. When an opponent goes down to the mat in Pride, you jump right on down and keep punching until the ref pulls you off. In K-1 of course, if the guy's down, you go to your corner. For me, it was hard to, in the midst of the fight, remember that I was fighting under K-1 rules. My fault for sure. In our rematch, Bernardo knocked me down to the mat and while I was still dazed, he put his one foot up on my back, stepped on me and raised his arms. Just getting even I guess.
GE/IL: Is there anybody in particular you would like to fight in the future and why?
GG: No one in particular, although if I was pressed, I'd say I'd like to rematch Gilbert Yvel - I got caught in the first few seconds of the fight - stupid on my part, not expecting it. I'd like to have that one back.
GE/IL: What do you think about the influx of boxers to K1?
GG: I think it adds to the sport. If you've got a world class boxer who can catch up with the kickboxing, I think we'll see some spectacular fighters within the next few years. Although kicking is a big part of the game, I think striking is a bigger part of that game. You're more likely to k.o. someone with punches than you are with leg kicks (my fight with Yvel was unusual I think).
GE/IL: What do you think about Bob Sapp?
GG: I love the guy. Here's a man who really knows how to market himself. I'm happy for the big guy and hope he continues on for a lot of years. He's added a lot of excitement to the sport. He can only contine to get better with experience. I'm glad I don't have to fight him.
GE/IL: What do you think about Mike Tyson?
GG: Absolutely fantastic fighter - extremely skilled and exciting to watch. Mike in his day was unstoppable by anyone but himself. I think he had some deamons that he couldn't shake - they caught up with him. I feel bad for Mike and those affected by him. I hope gets control of his life and comes back. I'm a big fan.
GE/IL: Lately K1 has been labelled a circus act by some people what are your opinions on that?
GG: Not at all - every fight company has its bad times. K-1 has been plagued with a lot of shit these days. I'm very appreciative of the opportunity K-1 has given me over the past few years. It's an organization which is dealing with a lot of problems right now, but I think with the proper leadership and management, it will do well.
GE/IL: How would you compare the UFC, K1 and Pride having fought in all of them?
GG: No comparison for me. Pride is the most stable and well managed organization. It too has suffered with problems over the years, but again, management and staff have worked hard to keep the company successful. Pride's focus in my opinion (aside from the financial end of things) is the fighter. I cannot say enough about how Pride has dealt with me and my family over the years. My loyalties are definitely with Pride - it is a first class organization all the way. The Pride staff and management are like family to me.
GE/IL: What are your insights into the history of MMA?
GG: I don't have too much on that. I know that it was underground before it came into focus. It's still not mainstream in the states but is very popular in Japan. In the summer of 2002 I fought at the National Stadium in Tokyo - I believe the attendance count was something in excess of 72,000 people - incredible.
GE/IL: Where are you going to be fighting in the future?
GG: I'm hoping to keep fighting with Pride for a while. Professional fighting isn't something you can do effectively for too long. I'm developing my own business right now so that I have something to fall back on when I stop. I'd have to say right now I'm not too sure about my fighting future. Pride will have a lot to do with that part of my life.
Thanks for your time Big Daddy
* Article by by Gary Edwards (Team Ironlife.com Writer and Moderator).
* Back to Issue #5 Frontpage
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