Issue 109

December 2013

Could the Team Alpha Male featherweight soon be trading in his 4oz gloves for a rifle as the host of a hunting show?

CARS

What was the first car you owned and how much did it cost?

“The first car I owned was a 1985 Toyota 4Runner. It was a car my dad used for work and he gave it to me once he got a new one. For me it was free, which is my favorite price, and I had it all the way through high school. I wish I still had that car actually (laughs).”

Sounds like quite the vehicle. What car do you drive now?

“I’ve just bought another Toyota, a 2012 Tacoma. I’m really into the outdoors big time because I like to hunt, so a four-wheel drive is a plus for me. I’m also sponsored by Toyo Tires so they hook me up with some great tires too. This is my favorite car to date.”

If you could have any car in the world, what would it be?

“It would have to be the Toyota Tacoma (laughs). I wouldn’t have any use for any other car with the type of stuff I enjoy doing.”

MUSIC

What type of music do you listen to?

“Country music mostly, but I listen to a bit of everything if I’m honest. I can pretty much appreciate any good music that’s out there. I listen to some hip-hop and rock. The only type of stuff I can’t really stand is the screamo type of stuff. The type of stuff where the guys just yell at the top of their lungs.”

Who has the worst taste in music at Team Alpha Male?

“I would have to say Andre Fili (laughs). Bless his heart, he’s super passionate about that type of music, and a couple of times he’s tried to explain the lyrics to me while we’re in the gym and they do sound cool, but then when I listen to music it’s just like someone running nails down a chalkboard (laughs).”

What was the first album you remember buying with your own money?

“It was a Garth Brooks album, I think it was some sort of Greatest Hits compilation. He’s been around for quite a while so I’m pretty sure it was one of those types of albums.”

SHUFFLE

HIT SHUFFLE AND TELL US THE FIRST FOUR SONGS. NO CHEATING

The XX, Intro

“This is one of my favorite songs; I really wish it was longer, actually. I like to listen to this when I’m getting in the zone and thinking about serious stuff.”

Flux Pavilion, Cracks

“Lately I’ve been really feeling dubstep; it really gets me amped up and ready to train. I’m really into my dance music right now.”

Luke Bryan, Muckalee Creek Water

“It’s a song that really describes who I am as a person. It talks about getting away and leaving all the crazy s**t behind in life and getting out into the wilderness.”

Colt Ford & Jake Owens, Back

“This is another song that reminds me of my life. It’s really one of those songs that helps me think.”

STYLE

If you were going to a club would you wear a suit or something more casual?

“I own a suit but I think I’ve worn it, like, twice in my entire life (laughs). I prefer wearing jeans and my cowboy boots. I prefer to wear T-shirts but I’ll wear a button-up on occasions. But I’m not really a button-up shirt kind of guy; I think it’s because I have a short neck. I hate the collar rubbing on the back of my head (laughs).”

You’ve got a pretty cool tattoo, but what is it?

“I’ve got a phoenix that wraps around my shoulder. I was originally going to go for a half sleeve but I only got it halfway done and still haven’t finished it. I’ve got a sun with waves that circle it right above my shoulder and then I also have a star on my shoulder, which I got when I was drunk with some friends (laughs).”

TV

Which TV shows did you enjoy growing up?

“I was a big fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when I was a kid. My favorite was Michelangelo, which might be because of his love of pizza; I love pizza quite a bit too. It was one of the first things I had after I beat Clay Guida.”

You’ve mentioned that you’re really big into hunting and there’s an abundance of hunting shows on television at the moment. What are your favorite types?

“I pretty much watch all of them, but my favorite one is a show that’s sponsored by Dodge cars. I can’t remember the name of it for the life of me but it’s probably one of the best produced shows I’ve ever seen. There are so many hunting shows out there that it’s nice to get that sort of quality production as a lot of them look cheap. I have a strong passion for hunting so it doesn’t really matter to me, but it’s definitely noticeable when there’s good production for a show.”

Would you ever want to be involved in a hunting show?

“I’m actually in the process of making my own hunting show, because it’s something I’d like to do after my fight career is over. I have a buddy, JT Harden, who is actually the host of Hardcore Hunting TV, and I actually did a hunt with him last year in Ohio and we’re working with my buddy, Will, to put something together. I’m very excited about it as it could be an awesome step in my life.”

FLICKS

What type of films are you into?

“I don’t really have much time for movies but I really enjoy action films. One sub genre I’ve always been interested in is werewolf movies; I was always into them when I was growing up.”

Were you a big fan of An American Werewolf in London? That’s considered one of the best werewolf films ever.

“I liked that film a lot growing up. An American Werewolf in London is the first one and An American Werewolf in Paris is the second one, but that wasn’t as good as the first film. I watched the first film a lot with my brothers and my mom when I was a kid.”

Are there any actors you’d like to punch?

“Not really. I don’t spend enough time watching movies to really dislike any actors. I don’t pay enough attention to most of them or their lives to really care about them too much. You hear things about celebrities in the media, but I’ve been on the end of that and it’s just a lot of media blowing things out of proportion.”