KNOCKOUT NATION’S GUY METZGER INTERVIEW

Guy Mezger is a warrior hailing from Texas. There he runs the legendary Lion’s Den Dallas. He has a record of 28-14-2. He’s foought in organizations such as UFC (4-1), PRIDE (4-6), Pancrase (16-7-2), WPC (2-0), KOTC (1-0) & EVT (1-0). He’s had fights with some legendary fighters in MMA. They include Bas Rutten (Pancrase Truth 2), Tito Ortiz (UFC 13 & UFC 19), Kazushi Sakuraba (PRIDE Grand Prix 2000), Wanderlei Silva (PRIDE 10), Chuck Liddell (PRIDE 14), Ricardo Arona (PRIDE 16) & Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (PRIDE 24). In this interview Guy explains what got him into MMA, all titles he’s held/hold, why he chose to fight with Lion’s Den, why he’s hasn’t been fighting, he’s current decision on a possible return & if he could have one last fight who would it be with. So sit back, crack up that beer & enjoy!

KN: First off Guy, thanks again for doing this interview for us. We appreciate it knowing how most fighters are very busy guys.

KN: When and why did you start fighting?

GM: I was 8 years old when the 1st Rocky movie came out and I wanted to be a boxer. The rec center near me offered boxing and wrestling so I signed up for boxing. Two weeks in training my coach had me spar and I got punched in the nose and it bled like crazy. The very next day I joined our High School wrestling team. I started fighting professionally at age 20, in order to pay for college. (I managed to blow two scholarships)

KN: Growing up, who was your favorite fighter? Who did you want to be?

GM: We didn’t have MMA when I was a kid. My favorite boxer was Ali and Sugar Ray Lenorad.

KN: Through your entire career has any member of your family not supported you with fighting MMA?

GM: No, pretty much everyone was behind me. I think they were concerned about the “no rules” when I first started.

KN: Who has been your biggest influence in life and fighting?

GM: In my life, I would say my mother kept me on the straight and narrow. In fighting, it would Billye Jackson (my first real full
contact coach).

KN: What is your favorite technique?

GM: I have a lot of favorites.

KN: Is there anyone person you have a “grudge against?

GM: No really, the thing with Tito has gotten a bit old already.

KN: Explain a daily workout and training session.

GM: That is way too big of an answer to write. Lets just say that I have tough workouts even though I am retired.

KN: When your not training, kicking someone’s ass, what do you like to do in your spare time?  

GM: I am a pretty boring guy, when I am not working/training I am usually spending time with my wife and kids.

KN: What ranks and titles have you held/have?

GM: UFC XIII champion, 3x King of Pancrase, World Freestyle Fighting Champion, World Kickboxing Champion,  
and 2x World Full-Contact Karate Champion, Texas State Judo Champion (I have won other national and state titles as an amateur).

KN: What do you feel is your biggest weapon in a fight?

GM: My brain. It is important to be a quick thinker as it is to be powerful physically.

KN: If you could have a rematch to revenge any one of your losses, which one would it be & why?

GM: I would like rematch all my losses because I just plain hate to lose.

KN: You’re a head trainer at Lion’s Den Dallas. Are there any great up-n-coming fighters we will be hearing about soon?

GM: We have about 4 really good prospects (pro).

KN: Why The Lion’s Den?

GM: Well I met Ken at UFC 3 and asked him to look at me and give me a honest assessment of my skills, because I had signed to fight in UFC 4. When I went to Ken’s place, he asked if I wanted to tryout for the fight team he was forming and the rest is history.

The initiation was: 500 squats, 500 situps, 500 leg lifts, 200 pushups and a 2 mile run. I then fought Vernon White for 45 minutes. Rough day in the office, I was so sore for like 3 days.

KN: You haven’t fought in MMA since 2003. Are you officially retired from the sport or are you just taking some time off?  

GM: I am retired.

KN: What made you retire?

GM: A little pesky thing called a stroke. I have been released to fight again, but I figured that God may be telling me something with that I decided to retire healthy.

KN: Do you plan on fighting again anytime soon and if so, do you know which organization it will be in?

GM: No plans to fight .

KN: If you could have 1 last fight, who would it be?

GM: I would have liked to been able to fight Tito one last time.

KN: Well I don’t want to take up anymore of your time. Are there any closing comments you’d want to make, sponsors, fans?

GM: Thanks for all the great years of watcing me fight. Not many people get to live their dreams and I did, thanks to the fans.