Check out part VI in our interview series with amateur MMA fighters. Eric Sudduth from New Mexico was kind enough to take time out of his training schedule to speak with us about what it's like to be an amateur MMA fighter.

Q: What is you current record?  Any fights coming up soon?
I just started my career. I have a 1-0 record, with a possible fight coming up in December.
 
 
Q: Mixed Martial Arts is clearly not for everyone. At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to become a competitive Mixed Martial Artist?
June 19, 2004...I watched UFC 48 and basically fell in love with the sport. The main event of that event was Frank Mir vs. Tim Sylvia. After I saw Mir’s amazing display of jiu jitsu, all I could think about is one day I want to be there.
 
 
I started training first in jiu jitsu, and I saw success. I won a couple of grappling contests, and progressed through rankings quickly. I received my purple belt March 2008. After that I knew 100% that I wanted to be a Mixed Martial Artist.
 
 
Q: Have there been any challenges in your life that you’ve had to overcome in order to get where you are today? If so, how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge is dropping the weight. I took some time off from training and working out and ended up gaining quite a bit of weight. I joined a boxing gym and that has boosted all my efforts
 
Other than that balancing work and training can be very challenging. 
 
 
Q: Is there a current MMA star you like to pattern yourself after?
There is actually two. Frank Mir has one of the best jiu jitsu games in MMA. However all fights start on your feet. That where you need boxing and take down defense like Shane Carwin. 
 
 
Q: Where do you train? Care to make a shout out to any of your instructors or trainers?
I train under Isidro Castillo at School of Hard Knocks Boxing and Ron Haggerton at Shodin Ji Do Karate. The only shout out I have is to my old teacher, Professor Tyel Pilci, he started me on the right path with Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu training.
 
 
Q: Has your fighting style evolved since you began training or have you stuck with a specific style throughout?
My style really had change since starting training boxing with Isidro. His training has given me confidence in my stand up.
 
 
Q: Is there any particular training you spend more time on? Cardio? Strength training?
Cardio is big. If you don’t have cardio, you have already lost. My workouts consist of a lot of ply metrics. Mix that in with scenario based endurance work outs ( side to side work to circle away from an opponent, or “Ali” to step back from opponents.) 
 
 
Q: The mental aspects of MMA training are often overlooked. What do you do to prepare mentally?
I spend a lot of time in the ring. Shadow boxing, sparring, rolling, etc. I like to make sure I am comfortable in the ring.  
 
 
Q: Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you get where you are?
I would like to thank any and all MMA fans. Without them there would be no sport. 
 
 
Q: What advice would give to other people looking to get into MMA, or any competitive sport, for that matter?
If you want to get in MMA, or any other competitive sport, you need to try it out. 
 
To start MMA training, just go to a local gym and take a boxing class. If you enjoy the boxing, then progress to kickboxing. From kickboxing go to Muay thai, and then go to a grappling class. MMA may not be for you, so start with one thing and then expand. You may find out you hate grappling but love boxing. Or even vice versa, just find what you like.