Nuzik UK MMA Site

Stephen Quadros "The Fight Professor" Interview

The Nuzik team got to interview Elite XC's colour commentator Stephen Quadros on his views on current MMA and what changes he'd like to see amongst other things.
Who got you involved in MMA? And what's your background?
Royce Gracie was responsible for me becoming really interested in MMA. His performance in the early UFC’s caused me as a martial artist to reexamine my own attitudes. I started training in Tae Kwon Do in 1973 with a great instructor named Soonho Song in Santa Cruz, California. After training with him for 1 ½ years I moved to Hollywood, California to pursue my drumming career. I studied Shotokan karate briefly with Takayuki Kubota. Then I worked out with Konrad Wallkes in Wing Tsun. I finally settled at The Jet Center in Van Nuys, California, where I trained in kickboxing under Pete “Sugarfoot” Cunningham for five years. I borrowed an old VHS videotape from a top amateur kickboxer friend of mine called “Gracie Jiu Jitsu In Action” in 1991 or 1992. When I asked him what it was, he described it as “streetfighting”. That tape blew my mind and scared me. Within days I gathered several of my kickboxing buddies and showed it to them. After we watched the tape the arguments started: “Oh, I could knock those guys out if they dove in for a takedown like that,” “No, you can’t,” etc. They were all convinced that jiu-jitsu was not effective against kickboxing. But I WAS convinced that the Gracie family had a lot to offer. So I went into the other room and got a pair of boxing gloves and told my pal who thought jiu-jitsu would not work against punching and kicking to hit me in the face before I got him into a clinch. I told him that I was no Royce Gracie but could still grab him before he knocked me out. My (ex) wife was in the kitchen fixing dinner and thought we had gone completely crazy. Well fortunate for me, my friend could NOT hit me with an uppercut before I clinched with him. My kickboxing associates left angrily, not willing to admit that the tape they had just watched could help them expand their fighting arsenal.
Why are you called the professor?
It’s actually “The Fight Professor”. I was given that nickname in my first commentating job in Japan. It was a K-1 show that featured Ernesto Hoost versus Peter Aerts and the other color commentator who was a world champion in kickboxing was the first guy to call me “The Fight Professor”. Why? Probably because I have a great deal of knowledge about the fight game, both learned and intuitive.
What do you think of UK MMA and Cage Rage? I love it. I just started my 4th year working with Cage Rage and I have seen some of the greatest fighters in that cage. I have also seen an incredible evolution of UK fighters making breakthroughs and striving to be the best. The hunger to put England on the map as a force in the game is a strong concerted effort that is causing people around the world to view the UK MMA with respect. Its nice to see your so positive about MMA in the UK, but how will the Elite XC deal with Cage Rage effect MMA? Cage Rage had already become an international entity but with the backing of EliteXC it gives the company much more clout and protects it from any abuse from bigger competitors. The Cage Rage alliance with EliteXC helps both brands: Cage Rage benefits financially and will have stronger visibility outside the UK and EliteXC gains credibility by the association with a respected and established brand. It’s all good.	Stephen Quadros
Will Elite XC look to change any of the Cage Rage production, to bring in more in line with the look of ShowTime's coverage?
It doesn’t look like it. The UK broadcast and production of Cage Rage will stay the same and will not change because of the alliance with EliteXC.
Being involved with Pride, are you excited about the Dream promotion in Japan?
wish Dream success. I have many friends in Japan who I have not seen in years and miss them.
I was lucky to have been part of MMA history and to have participated in Pride’s golden era. 90-minute fights and 91,000 people? We may never see a time like that again.
What's the best event you have commentated on?
There have been so many! There are two that stand out in my mind: 1) when Fedor Emelianenko took the Pride heavyweight title from Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira at Pride 25 and 2) when Kazushi Sakuraba defeated Royce Gracie after 90 minutes at the Pride Grand Prix 2000. Also the first Shockwave show (in Japan it was called Dynamite) in August 2002. That was a one-time collaboration between K-1, Pride and Antonio Inoki and there were over 91,000 people in Japan National Stadium to watch Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Sakuraba, Bob Sapp, Rodrigo Nogueira, Ernesto Hoost, Semmy Schilt, Royce Gracie, Hidehiko Yoshida, Jerome LeBanner, Don Frye and Wanderlei Silva, THAT was insane too!
Who’s your favorite UK fighter?
Paul “Semtex” Daley. He is the most exciting fighter I have seen come out of England. He’s a great interview too!
Were you shocked by the UK's Buzz Berry beating Ken shamrock?
Not really. I was really happy for Buzz. He’s a great guy with a lot of heart and this was a BIG win for him. I was sad for Ken though because he has had a great career and done a lot to popularize the sport.
How do you feel some of the top UK MMA guys will handle it competing in the states?
Paul Daley already made a great impression in January 2008 on ShoXC at the Trump Taj Majal. I am excited about seeing an English invasion.
Obviously there is a big difference between eastern and western audiences watching MMA. But how do the UK crowd compare to the U.S???
They are very similar actually. But it seems like UK audiences really get into it, even more than the US crowds. I mean, when Rob Broughton beat James Thompson or Cyborg slugged it out with Melvin Manhoef the crowd was DEAFENING! It was as if the Beatles got back together!
Wow that’s a pretty big response we are glad to see the UK fans are still maintaining their intensity. What are your favorite all time MMA matches?
-That I watched live? The first fight between Fedor Emelianenko and Rodrigo Nogueira. That was like Ali/Frazier to me. And Fedor beat Nogueira at his own game, the guard.
As far as fights that I didn’t see live but watched on TV or DVD I would have to say that Fedor against Cro Cop is the top in that category.
Stephen Quadros	Yes that was an awesome match, its one that we often watch in the office.
	At the time they fought they were both widely regarded as the best two heavyweights on the planet and the meeting lived up to the hype. It was a very exciting and competitive fight. Again Fedor shocked the world and bested Mirko at his strong point, standing.
	Three other matches that rank up there are from the UFC: 1) Matt Hughes in his second fight with Frank Trigg, 2) Georges St. Pierre in his second match with Matt Hughes and 3) Diego Sanchez versus Nick Diaz.
	What fight would you most like to see?
	BJ Penn and JZ Calvancante.
	Who is your all time favorite fighter?
	Fedor Emelianenko. He is the best I have ever seen period.
Is there anything you would change in MMA and if so why?
Hahaha, now THAT’S a loaded question. Get rid of elbows on the floor but keep them for standing. Reinsert knees to the head of a downed opponent. Give me my own major television show. Some of the other things that need to change will do so with just the passing of time.
Do you have any advice for us at Nuzik starting out in the media scene?
Be honest, be fair. Stay away from gossip reporting or focusing on negative issues all the time or reporting only one side of a controversial story. Try to avoid what may seem unavoidable; fight game politics.
Thanks for the advice its much appreciated. And we will always try and deal with each story in an unbiased and positive manner.
What advice would you give to budding pundits/commentators?
Don’t be in a hurry. Many people will see someone on TV and want to be there instantly but if you get there and are not ready you will look bad. Don’t talk bad about someone in hopes that you’ll cause them to fail and therefore replace them. Try to listen exclusively to, and be influenced by, intelligent and rational people and avoid negative or jealous types.
Well you have given us some really interesting thoughts and opinions as always it’s a pleasure and thanks for your time. Don’t forget to check out Stephen on http://StephenQuadros.com and http://MySpace.com/StephenQuadros BACK