Issue 136
December 2015
Hollywood funnyman Kevin James on mixing it up with MMA icons
Training partner
As well as training with some of the biggest names in MMA history, James was one of Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller’s cornermen for his fight with Michael Bisping at the TUF 14 Finale. He’s also a regular at cageside as a fan.
Q&A
Q: How did you become a fan of MMA?
A: I studied karate a bit when I was younger but got away from it, then watched UFC since its inception and fell in love with Pride thanks to Bas Rutten. I actually became friends with him. I just love the sport. It’s crazy athletic. I love training in it, I’m not good at it at all. It’s exciting to do if you’re planning to move your body, which I don’t like to do very often.
Q: Do you still train?
A: Not as much as I wish I did. People ask why I train with these guys, asking how it’s going to help me with my golf game. It makes me mentally stronger. After training with guys like Randy Couture and Bas Rutten, a little three-foot putt just isn’t going to seem that intimidating. Sounds crazy, bit I think it’s really going to help my golf game.
Q: How hard did you train to film Here Comes The Boom?
A: When we went through the training process, I got in shape. I had 14 months of changing my diet, dedicating myself. I worked out with Wanderlei Silva, Mark Munoz, Rafael Cordeiro, Krzysztof Soszynski, Jason Lambert, Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller – everybody came in and trained me like a fighter and treated me like I was a fighter.
Q: Did you actually spar with Wanderlei Silva, full throttle?
A: When I was training for the movie I did everything that they did – although certainly not at the same level. I’m glad they turned the volume down a little for me. My volume was on 10, though. I went very, very hard. It really was an incredible experience.
Q: You went to high school with Mick Foley,aka WWE’s ‘Mankind’. Did you train together?
A: You just ask Mick how I did in wrestling against him – I destroyed him. I lit him up. I really wasn’t even into wrestling. I was more into football at the time because I was a running back. They didn’t have a heavyweight in my high school so they recruited me, but didn’t know I was a strong kid. I didn’t even know how to wrestle and Mick came on the team and I schooled him, and he knows it!
Q: Since your training, has your perception of fighters changed?
A: I have more appreciation and more respect for what these guys go through. I know now that most fighters, probably 98% of the time, are injured going into a fight just from training. Whether it’s a tweaked knee, mat burns or a cut. Little things bother you and mess with you psychologically during a
fight.
Q: Who is your favorite fighter in the UFC right now?
A: Ronda Rousey, of course. Somebody once asked me how I would do in a fight against her and, I would be on my back so fast. I wouldn’t want to mess with Ronda. She would crush me. I watched her hitting mitts and she’s just so nasty. She’s everywhere. With Ronda there’s just nowhere to go.
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