Part 28 of our ongoing interview series with amateur MMA fighters.

For our latest  interview with amateur MMA fighters, coaches and trainers we spoke with Joseph Selvig. Joseph is a former US Marine and hails from Fort Worth, TX.

Q: What is your current record? Any fights coming up soon?

My current record is 2-8-0 i have had a rough start but it isn't keeping me down. I don’t have a fight coming up at the moment, but I am currently training and trying to get back to my roots back here in Texas.

Q: That’s the right attitude to take. Never, ever give up. At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to become a competitive Mixed Martial Artist?

I have always been in martial arts. I started when I was eight years old with Tae Kwon Do. I wrestled for a year in high school and have always been a fighter. I competed a lot when I was a child so this naturally seemed like the next step.

Q: Have there been any challenges in your life that you’ve had to overcome in order to get where you are today?

Starting in MMA has been my biggest challenge. As I stated my record isn't the best. I began competing while I was in the US Marines and between training for deployments and deploying, finding time to train was hard. There were times I felt like I wanted to give up but I knew I didn't really want to. So I worked harder and found time to train and step into the cage.

Q: You were a Marine? That’s pretty impressive. How did the Marine Corps help you become a better fighter?

The Marine Corps helped me a lot. It taught me what it takes to do something you really want. It made me a stronger person and, in the end, a stronger fighter. Towards the end of my career in the Marines I began using my fighting skills to raise awareness that there are always men and women who have to spend time away from their families so we get to enjoy the things we do. They are over there (as was I) so others can enjoy the things they love. It also helped build me strength and conditioning obviously.

Q: Where do you train? Care to make a shout out to any of your instructors or training partners?

I train at the American Black Belt Academy and Phalanx MMA. I wanna’ give a shout out to Grand Master Roy Kurban. He is my Martial Arts father and I have learned so much from him. Also David Kestenbaum - my teammate and dear friend. He has always been able to push me to the limits in my training and fighting. Also Durwyn Lamb and Alex Madrid - my coaches at Phalanx. They saw a fighter and have been helping to bring that fighter out and expose him to the world. Also Rick McCoy of the MMA Institute in Richmond, VA. He gave me a chance to compete and helped me find all the fights I’ve had and is just a great guy and coach.

Q: Has your fighting style evolved since you began training or have you stuck with a specific style throughout?

My base style is Tae Kwon Do. But as time went by I began to train in other styles, so it’s evolved. I like to think that I’ve taken the best parts of Tae Kwon Do, and Muay Thai, for my stand up, and Wrestling and BJJ for my ground game. Together they form a very strong style of fighting that makes me a tough guy to beat.

Q: Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you get to where you are?

My Dad. He has been the best. He was always there to take me to class so I could work out when I was kid. He was at every tournament and learned the art so he could help coach me. My Ma has been great too. She is one strong woman. And trust me, it takes a strong woman to be the mother of a fighter. My girlfriend Codi has been great as well. She gives me the strength and makes me believe in myself. My kids have given me the drive to be a better fighter and a better person so they have a good role model to look up to.

Q: What advice would you give to other people looking to get into MMA, or any competitive sport, for that matter?

Get in there and do it. You will always come across nay sayers and those who don't believe in you. Use that and prove them wrong. You are the only one who can keep you from achieving your dreams.