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Lori's Interview with Dave Heath
I had the pleasure of being introduced - through email - to UFC veteran Dave Heath, and he agreed to an interview. I hope you enjoy my questions and his replies, and be sure to catch the last question and reply from Dave's girlfriend. Thank you!
1) How long have you been fighting?
Dave: "About 5 years with MMA. But I was always in trouble with it growing up. MMA has helped add balance to my life and a better sense of reality. By that, I mean I realize how dumb I was by fighting in an uncontrolled environment and am a much calmer person now."
2) What prompted you to get into fighting?
Dave: "I have been a fan since the first UFC and when I moved to Tulsa , I had a co-worker whose brother owned a gym so I went to check it out. I've been there ever since."
3) How many hours a day do you dedicate to training? Do you have a special diet? Certain restrictions?
Dave: "Now that fighting is my job, I spend a good deal of time in the gym. Usually anywhere from 3-6 hours a day depending on that day's routine. As far as restrictions go, I don't have many until about 8 weeks out from a fight. Then the diet cleans up and the social time is cut back. And by "cleaned up" I mean that I try and cut out "dirty" foods like anything fried, sweet, soda, excessive alcohol, excessive portions and depending on my starting point even dairy and most breads."
4) Do you have a girlfriend/fiancé/or significant other, and what does she and your family think about you fighting?
Dave: "I have a girlfriend that I've been with for 5 years. We are everything but married. She is 100% supportive of me and I couldn't do it without her support. My family is pretty small and not extremely close. They are behind me and I'm glad but if they weren't it would have no effect."
5) In what way does your fighting career cause conflicts in the rest of your life? For instance, is it difficult to find a "regular" job while doing so much training? Do you have limited time with family and your significant other?
Dave: "Anyone that says they can't have a "regular job" due to fighting is copping out. I was a financial consultant for the first two years that I competed and it wasn't a problem at all. I would come to work with black eyes and cuts all the time. I just briefly explained to clients what I did and they never seemed to care. But I guess it was only natural that they were more concerned with their money than my face, lol.
"Time with family and friends is sometimes a problem. For example, I'll miss going back to my hometown for Thanksgiving for the second straight year. It's just a matter of doing things right and I need to be here training for my upcoming fight, Dec 13th."
6) I have favorite fighters in both the UFC and Pride. Who are some of your favorite fighters, and why.
Dave: "In the UFC I'd have to go with. ME!! <Jk>
UFC= Chuck Liddel, and Pride= Mark Hunt. Both men are very businesslike and I like their styles. Both are there to KO someone and both have great chins. They're willing to take a shot to give one because they know that in the end they'll prove to be the tougher guy."
7) Do you run into fans, and how do they react to you?
Dave: "Nothing too big yet. Just some photos here and there and that's only after I'm introduced. I'm not a guy to be recognized yet."
8) Have you ever been seriously injured? If so, in what way and how long did it take you to get back into fighting?
Dave: "I had to have hand surgery just over a year ago for chronic breaks of a bone that was deformed due to a break in my first fight. I now have a titanium plate and 6 screws in my right hand. That had me out for several months but its good as new now. 6 fights and zero issues since then."
9) With no disrespect meant to past boxers, I personally think Ultimate Fighting has surpassed regular boxing in every way. It's more exciting, and draws on a larger audience. We see younger men, a lot of women, and many celebrities at the events. What are you thoughts on comparisons
between boxing and MMA ultimate fights?
Dave: "I love boxing but I think its getting a little redundant for people. A lot of people need a good story to accompany a fighter to make them want to watch and there seems to be a shortage of great fighters that also have interesting back-stories. Also with this day and age there is a ridiculous amount of entertainment available and people are just going in different directions. One of those is MMA. MMA is one of those sports where one guy may dominate but on any given day, he can get dethroned. You see upsets all the time. There's very little room for error when you have so many talented fighters with many more weapons at their disposal than boxing and so many more ways you can lose."
10) Have you met any celebrities?
Dave: "I have met a couple but I'm not the type to be awestruck so there are many more I could have met but I didn't have the inclination to press the issue."
11) What is the biggest challenge for you as a fighter?
Dave: "For me it's the inner struggle of forcing myself to adapt and improve. I don't care a great deal about winning or losing. I just want to put forth my best effort. If I train right, enter a fight prepared and do the best that I can do, then I will have won, no matter the official outcome. Having said that, I'm officially undefeated and plan to stay that way. <lol>"
12) What are your strengths as a fighter? Your weaknesses (that I'm sure you're working on!)?
Dave: "My strengths are that I am very well rounded; I have a good work ethic and a huge heart. I hold myself to a high standard.
"My only weakness, as of right now, is time. I need more experience against higher quality opponents."
13) Where do you train, how many trainers do you have, and what is your ultimate goal in MMA?
Dave: "I have a few trainers right now but it's more of a team atmosphere. My ultimate goal is to continue having fun and getting better. I take one fight at a time."
14) Lastly, if your girlfriend is around, can she tell us what she thinks of your career choice? I know I'm not the least bit squeamish about injuries, but then, I don't have a loved-one fighting. How does she react to your fights, and how difficult is it to be supportive, knowing you could be hurt?
Shea McCoy: "My opinion of the sport he has chosen is probably the same of any girlfriend or wife that supports their man 100%. I think this sport is very interesting, exciting, and competitive, I'm a huge fan. Girls, not guys, always ask me - does it make you nervous when he's in the ring, or are you afraid if he'll get hurt?
"Honestly, I think it's the same as anyone dating/married to an athlete. You want the best for them, want them to win and be safe... but no, it doesn't bother me when he gets hit or when he has broken his hand. It's part of the game sometimes. He's accepted that, so I have, too.
"Actually, I get antsy watching fights with him because I would rather be watching him in the ring. The nerve racking part is when he's walking out to the ring...I get the butterflies, BAD. The hard part sometimes is that he's gone a lot for training, but I try not to let that bother me too much. This is his dream, he believes in himself, and I share his dream."