Brian Ebersole Interview January 2009

Brian Ebersole was well known in the States where he fought some big name fighters, he came to Australia several years ago and since then has been training people and fighting on the Australian Scene. He has beaten some of the best in the country including Jon Valuri, Gordon Graf, Dylan Andrews and Ian Schaffa. His only losses in Australia came by Hector Lombard and Kyle Noke who are now both fighting professionally in the States. 2009 was an interesting year for Brian with quite a bit of controversy surrounding him, he agreed to tell his side of the story and hopefully clear up a few things for the people at infinitemma.com

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Brian you have had an up and down year with some controversy. Firstly, can you tell us about the Jai Bradney fight and the Decision protest?
2009 was definitely one of the more interesting years of my earthly existence.  With the ups, downs, and controversy all around——I hoped to make it to the holidays with a smile on my face, and I managed to do just that.
My fight with Jai Bradney was one that I was eagerly anticipating.  I’d only met him once, at an Xplosion show.  There, he kicked my teammate, Marc Oakes, in the third leg.  The fight ended in a No Contest, and I had my first impression of this young tough-guy.
As for the bout I must say, I felt that I easily won the three rounds of fighting.  During the fight, I was very comfortable.  I wasn’t pressured, beaten while standing, nor was I out-positioned or losing the battle of “ring generalship”.  Jai did well to keep from getting TKO’d with strikes on the ground, but he never turned the tables in his favor. 
The decision left me in amazement.  I’ve drawn a tough set of judges before, but this was ridiculous.  Upon reviewing the video, I sat and noted every move(ment) that was attempted and that scored.  With my time in the top position being nearly 2x more than that of Jai (same ratio in each individual round) and my strike count much higher——I can’t see how the decision could’ve gone his way. 
I’m very thankful that there was a process for appeal, outlined by the event’s promoter. Am I the first guy to have an overturned decision?  From a win to a loss?  I’d take that to the Guinness Book of World Records.  Obviously,  I’d rather have gotten the victory on the night, and not dealt with the drama of an overturned decision.  But anyone who watches/scores that fight would sure have a tough time making a case for a Bradney victory. 

You were suposed to fight Justin Murray on CFC and got sick in Thailand. It was then scheduled to happen dec 20th but didnt, there has been a lot of talk about the fight and a lot of people want to see it happen. can you give us your thoughts on what has happened and let us know whether it will happen?
Well, Justin Murray and I have missed a few opportunities to fight each other since October.  I could only assume that my next 77kg bout in Australia would be against Justin, as both Xtreme MMA and CFC wanted to make the bout.  That’s logical, ya know.  I don’t return to Australia until May, however.  I’m figuring Justin won’t be losing a bout before then, so I’m sure I’ll be offered a bout with him later in the year.

You were the CFC title holder and have recently been stripped of the title can you tell us about this?
I was the 77kg titleholder for one year.  I wasn’t offered to defend my title until 10 months into my reign.  I was unable to train properly to compete, during a 2 month stretch.  Being unable to compete for two months did put a damper on my conversations with the CFC promotion.  But the real issue was me competing for another promotion that held an event in Sydney.
I’d fought twice outside of the CFC in 2009, with no issues.  Competing in QLD vs. Jai Bradney and versus kickboxer Shannon Forrester at Perth’s XFC.  But fighting in Sydney, for another promotion, surely rubbed the CFC the wrong way.  I was sent a text, informing me that the promotion was taking my titleholder status. 
Honestly, I felt naked without my title.  Being stripped of the title actually gave me a bit of something to push against, to use as a training motivator.  I let it bother me during that last 4 weeks of preparation for my recent fight.  Knowing that I couldn’t claim to be an Australian MMA Champion unless I was victorious, I had some of my best workouts.  After the first few days, my trainer (at “The Arena” in Rockingham, WA) and I had a running joke, stemming from the “Did the CFC call you today?”  Dramas, dramas.  But something to motivate me.  With the CFC drama and letting Jai Bradeney survive 15 minutes with me, I had a good fire burning every day. 

Last weekend you fought on the Xtreme MMA show in Sydney against Ian Schaffa. Ian is a world class opponent and you won via choke in the second round. Can you tell us about the fight?
 
I cannot tell you about the fight action.  You’ll have to watch it on television like everyone else.  Early February, I am told. 
What I can tell you:
1.  I was in shape.
2.  I was motivated.
3.  I was fighting a boxer that wanted to hit me in the face.
4.  My wrestling fared well, on the night.  As the official result would indicate.

There has been some discussion about the Xtreme MMA show can you tell us your thoughts on the show?
I had a good experience at the event.  Besides the change of opponent from Murray to Schaffa, I had a good lead in to the show.  The event saw the athletes in a very nice hotel and fight venue, in Sydney’s Olympic Sports Park.  Access to the Aquatic Center, free buffet breakfast, soft pillows, great views, and clean bathrooms.  I was loving it. 
The promotion was on time beginning the weigh in, and had brought over officials liscenced in Las Vegas with the NSAC.  The fight card looked strong.  Everyone made weight, the officials were qualified in MMA, and the promotion seemed to have all their bases covered.  They started the live event 45 minutes late (which seems to be the industry standard, from all the shows I’ve ever been to), and the fights were entertaining. 
With a low attendance, they’ll sure look to work harder to sell tickets.  Gotta get bums in seats.  But after the event airs on TV, we’ll see a lot more women will want to head to live MMA shows.  Semi-nude men, while grappling and punching on, tend to stimulate women in innumerable ways.  I imagine there will be a lot of chics in Australia ready to bring their man to an event.  I could become the Dita Von Teese of MMA, a universal sex symbol.  Oh, I cant’ wait. 

What is next for you. do you have any other fights lined up and have you been in discussions with the UFC about a fight on UFC 110 in Sydney?
I am currently in the USA, visiting my parents and coaching my former high school wrestling team.  I’ll be here until the end February, before taking off to teach seminars overseas.  I have no bouts signed, and I figure to compete once or twice next year.  We’ll see when and where. 
I had heard of the injury to a 77kg fighter, slated to face Chris Lytle.  I had a friend send an email out on my behalf, saying that I’d be interested in the bout.  The UFC works fairly quickly to replace bouts, and had one of their contracted athletes signed for the bout only days after I’d first read about the injury.  There was a very small window of opportunity.  But I hope to keep winning bouts, improving, and sending emails thru to the UFC.  I foresee myself competing for them in the future, I’ve got some very good years ahead of me. 

You have changed weights a number of times in the last few years, have you finally found a weight you are comfortable with?

I eat a bit differently as opposed to when I was younger.  Keeping excess weight off of me, feeling light and nimble, and lowering my walk-around weight have all been great benefits of healthier nutrition.  I don’t have as much of a yo-yo effect with my weight, as I did when I was at Middleweight.  I used to get much heavier after bouts, thus having to lose more weight in preparation for the next one. 
I feel very good at 77kg and below.  With notice, a bout at LightWeight is an option.  Long reach and good wrestling bode very well for me at 71kg.  I’d like to compete, if I had a bout in the USA or Japan. 

You were ranked number 1 in the Infinitemma.com Australian Fighter Rankings. Can you give us your thoughts on the top 4 in the 77kg division
2) Xavier Lucas (7-1, 1 draw)
What an athlete, this kid.  I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him compete in Perth, while also witnessing his bout vs. Shane Nix for the CFC title.  If you can’t get this kid to engage in a wrestle, he’s gonna be working hard at knocking your chin off.  He’s proven talented, with an undefeated year in 2009. 
3) Justin Murray (4-1, 1 draw)
I figure he’s the best guy in his gym.  I reckon that he’s referred to as “Rickson”, by his training partners. 
4) Jai Bradney (5-2, 1 draw)
I wish I’d have kicked him in the nuts and gotten a “NO CONTEST” ruling in our bout.  It would have saved me 2 rounds of fighting, the embarrassment of “losing” the bout, and the hassle of filing the appeal.  And I’m sure Marc Oakes would have a laugh and thank me. 

5) Shane Nix (5-1)
He’s a brave young man, I must say.  He stuck through a tough bout with Xaviar Lucas, where he was getting damaged a bit, to get a TKO victory.  And he didn’t hesitate to accept a bout with me, my first at 77kg.  Knowing that he was the underdog didn’t hold him from taking the bout, and competed well on the night.  I like him, personally, and hope he can have a healthy and successful career in the sport.  A few good years of training, and he may give me a hard time on the mat. 
 
2009 was a big year for you with a lot of travel and a number of big fights what have you planned for 2010?
 
I’m looking at a fantastic 2010 schedule.  I coach a US wrestling team through February.  Then 6 weeks of guest instruction, seminars, and holidays.  Back to Western Australia in May, where I’ll be back at “The Arena” in Rockingham and Bibra Lakes, taking the gyms through a grappling and MMA competition season.  After leaving WA, I’ll head to Melbourne and Sydney to take other gyms through a similar experience.  I hope that taking a seasonal approach to comeptition will allow athletes to focus their more intense efforts around a set schedule of competitions, and thus leave an off-season to train to improve and deepen their technical knowledge. 
You know what?  I’ll look to host Weekend Workshops, as well.  So I’m waiting for gym owners throughout Australia to email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  Let me bring in a bit of All-American rasslin’ into your training space.  Gym owners/instructors can elect to schedule a complimentary private/small group session that would take place before the general seminar. 
I’ll fight one time, maybe twice.  I don’t have a desire to compete 6 times next year.  I’ll look to compete during the second half of the year, in Australia.  Maybe a USA bout late in the year, as I’ll be going back for Christmas anyway.  But I’ll be sure to grapple in a no-gi tournament, while in Australia.  I’d like to grapple my way thru a few tournies on the year, for a bit of a challenge.  I hope to get thru the entire year without getting hit in the mouth.  Kids, ya gotta have goals!!!

Are there any sponsors or supporters that you’d like to mention?

I’d like to thank those who assisted in my training for the Xtreme MMA Title Fight:
Romel Luistro, who acted as my Ian Schaffa body double.  He took a lot of punishment during training, led me through a few tough workouts, and followed me through every tough workout. 
Steven Kennedy, who acted as a Justin Murray body double.  His man-strength is unmatched.  His cardio is fuelled by Coca-Cola, coffee, and processed sugars——-which is surprisingly effective. 
Diogo Consoni, who is the BJJ Black Belt at Fitness n Fight Centre, gives me some of the most intense grappling minutes and keeps time when he’s not.  Definitely an invaluable resource, and being the same size as Murray was a bonus as well. 
Taff Davies, acted as my personal trainer by day and MMA coach by night.  He opened his gym and allowed me to abuse his students, and kept me focused on the bout ahead. 
Ed Baveloch and Kimekai Martial Arts for hosting me during my final week of training.  I had some solid grappling sessions, and a great thai-pad holder.  Thank you, gentlemen. 
Hayabusa Clothing and MMA Equipment, for sponsoring my training efforts.  And a huge props on the headgear.  Great design, that keeps the damn thing in place.  Only headgear I’ve been able to wear, comfortably, in my entire career. 
MarvelFitness.com.au, for sponsoring my training efforts and providing me with a great training partner for next year.  Marvel Fitness also sponsors the talented WA surfer and MMA fighter, Shaun Spooner.  Shaun and I, through Marvel’s effort and kindness, will have the chance to train together full-time during my season in WA.  He’s going to become one of Australia’s better fighters, and I’m going to smile knowing I had a hand in helping.