Bhrandon Poindexter Interview

Bhrandon Poindexter is coming off of two losses. The last loss was a decision that
some feel he should have won. Bhrandon has constantly been fighting the top guys in the division, and he himself is one of the top guys in the division. Bhrandon is one of those guys who I think with Pro rules will be a better pro when he does turn pro.

Q: First, can you just talk about how you got started in the sport?
A: I got started about 4 or 5 years ago when I came home from college and my buddy Mario Micale was training. Everyone should know him, Super Mario. We started going to Pain Headquarters, and I just got into it to get a workout in, it was something different, it was hot on the streets. I just fell in love with this Muay Thai thing and Muay Thai turned into MMA and I have taken it to the highest point I can go right now.

Q: You said you fell in love with Muay Thai, so is striking what you picked up quickest was striking?
A: Oh yeah. I had been striking since I was a kid doing boxing with my uncle Lorenzo and things like that. So to get back in the gym and sharpen my skills up and do some more stand-up was refreshing and it all came back and made me fall in love again.

Q: I want to go back to your last two fights. First the Tyler Saltsman fight. There was a lot of talk between you two leading up to the fight. Was there a reason for that?
A: There is no reason behind talking ever in a fight. We were just gonna fight each
other. I just didn't like the way the kid carried himself. He's not professional in the sport. I want to take my career to the next level and I just feel like he's always bashing the sport of MMA. He's very disrespectful to everyone, not just me, to every one of his opponents. I don't know if he gets a kick out of it or what. But it was just a little trash talking and letting him know I'm not scared of him and this MMA thing is a business first.

Q: Looking back, you obviously wanted to knock him out. Do you think going in so
determined to get the knock out hurt you?
A: Oh yeah, most definitely I believe it did. I was thinking too much. I wanted to win too bad instead of going out there and fighting my fight. I guess I can say he did get in my head a little bit, I'll be a man about it. He didn't get in my head as much as I wanted to smash the kid to show him that he's not that great.

Q: Do you think under pro rules a fight between you two would be more suited for you?
A: Oh yeah, of course. I wouldn't have any restrictions, I wouldn't have to stand there and throw a one two to the head without head kicks, knees, flying knees, elbows, things of that nature. Everyone knows I am an explosive athletic fighter and for me to have limitations on my striking really hurts me. I train with Ryan Madigan, one of the top kick boxers in the world and we head kick and everything. So it's kind of different when
ou get in that cage and you're being restricted.

Q: After the fight there was some stuff that happened in the cage. Do you regret any of that?
A: No not at all. I never regret anything I do. I say what I mean and mean what I say at all times.

Q: Then we had the Russ Brletrick fight. I said you won rounds 1 and 2, is that accurate in your opinion?
A: Oh yea, for sure. Coming off of a fight two weeks before that one and then hopping right back in there. It was a little soon, but like you said, I felt I did enough to win the first 2 rounds, of course anyone who fights back to back like that is gonna have gas issues, so I guess I can say I was gassed out a little in the third and didn't do enough for the judges. But felt I won the fight and can't get over the hump right now.

Q: Is it frustrating when the read the decision and you feel you won, but they give it to the other person?
A: It's a little bit frustrating. It just makes me want to get back in the lab and the gym and do more work. I don't really hang my head on losses, I'm an amateur, I never really get down on myself in any sport. I played every sport all my life. I just let things go, I just try and improve myself to get that win. I don't need to be embarrassed or anything, it just makes me work harder.

Q: Is there anything you can look back on and say "maybe if I did this
different"?
A: Definitely. If I wouldn't have been that wrestler everyone thinks I should be, and stood with the guy and been my natural self I probably could have gotten a couple more points or did something for my advantage instead of being this wrestler. My coaches before the fight were telling me "you can take this guy down, if you see you're shot, take it". Which I feel now, looking back I shouldn't have done. I should have been my fighter. Like Is aid, back to the alb and improve my striking and not become this wrestler, just have that in my arsenal.

Q: That kind of answers my next question, but coming off of two losses, is there
something you want to really improve?
A: Not really. I have an all-around game, people just don't get to see it. Match-ups
happen and things like that. I've fought the top guys in my division my whole career and each guy is different. As you know, at this level, you get match-ups that the crowd wants to see, not so much as if it's a good fight for you. As far as improving, I can improve in everything. I'm still young, my Muay Thai, my wrestling, my Jiu-Jitsu, I just want to improve in everything so I can have an all-around game when I do go pro.

Q: You mentioned you have fought all the top guys. Do you take that as a sign they
obviously believe in your talent?
A: Yeah, I definitely do. Like I say, your resume speaks in this sport. If you don't
fight anyone in your amateur career, it will show as a pro no matter what. If you turn pro and have a terrible amateur record you might be a terrible pro, but then again you have to look at your amateur fighters, who did you fight, who was he against.

Q: Along those lines, NAAFS, seems to usually put you on the big shows. Do you take that as a compliment?
A: Definitely. I appreciate it each and every time. It shows that I'm an exciting
fighter, I sell tickets, and people like to see a great striker, a good fighter, and I try and be that and stay humble.

Q: You come from a great gym in Evolve. What are the benefits of training at a gym like Evolve?
A: The benefits are having every piece of equipment, anything I need is provided by John Cook. He does a great job opening the gym at all times. The classes we provide are literally seven days a week. I don't know any other gym outside of the top level UFC guys that can go to a gym and train seven days a week and get various styles. That's what are gym offers. We have everything to suit MMA. Not just boxing, not just Muay Thai, Not just Jiu-Jitsu, not just wrestling. We kind of strive to make every aspect of our game good and that's what I live about Evolve.

Q: One thing I like about Evolve is that it's one of those gyms where teammates really genuinely want to go root for a teammate, not doing it just out of responsibility. is that accurate?
A: Oh yeah. It's like a big family. We all train each other through are camps, each guy is going through something and we all go through it. John and Clint (Musser) try and implement a buddy system, where if a guy is cutting for a fight, grab another guy and get him to work out and cut with you. It becomes a big family bond. Everyone is there for everyone. If you don't have a great team, you don't go far.

Q: Let's say Nichole Long comes to you and says you can pick your next opponent, who
would you pick?
A: I really try and avoid calling people out, but I would really like to fight Drew
Schottenheimer or R.J. Buck. They both got good names and their resumes speak as well as mine. I think they would be a good match-up for me. There both local guys, so I would pick one of those two. Doesn't matter which one, but they are the only two in my division I haven't fought yet and I have a good chance of beating them.

Q; Have you given any thought to when you want to turn pro?
A: Definitely. We talk all the time, the coaches at the gym, my uncle Lorenzo and John Cook. The plan was to take one or two more fights, but I had to win. So we are getting back into the lab and more than likely take one more amateur fight and make my pro debut sometime next year.

Q: You fight for NAAFS. Is there a reason you like to fight for them?
A: I like fighting for them because of the exposure, and the matchmaker Nichole Long is a great woman. She takes care of all her fighters, she looks out for us. She doesn't have the best interest of one fighter, she looks out for both fighters. I know her on a personal level and she is a great woman. It's a great organization.

Q: Seems like maybe they are leading to Isaiah Chapman vs Cody Garbrandt. If that fights happens who would you pick?
A: I would have to go with Garbrandt. I've trained with the kid. He works hard, his hands are fast. Isaiah to me, he has a great record, but he reminds me of GSP, he just keeps winning. I don't know how he wins, but he keeps winning. The kid is good but I think Garbrandt has the upper hand mentally.

Q: Before we finish, anyone you want to thank or mention?
A: I want to thank my sponsors, Head Shot, Feel The Fight, Evolve, John Cook, my two
biggest fans, my girlfriend Shannon Floyd and my mother Amy Poindexter, my whole Evolve family, everyone who supports me, my fans and you of course for the interview.