INTERVIEW WITH IOWA’S OWN MARK “HOLLYWOOD” ANDERSON
Posted on | July 17, 2007 | 1 Comment
BY: JOE BALL
Q. Growing up in the Quad Cities, home of the MMA powerhouse – Miletich Fighting Systems, was MMA always a consideration for a career choice for you?
A. Kind of, I always wanted to be a professional athlete, and speaking of Pat Miletich I had the oportunity to meet him in my school wrestling days. I was friends with his nephew Matt Finn and I wrestled around with Pat in the 6th grade up to high school. He would come in and help us out in Bett Middle and High School.
Q. While battling your way to a Pro MMA record of 5 wins and 3 losses what is your motivation?
A. My motivation is remembering all those people who told me it can’t be done.
Q. You are a self trained fighter out of Oskaloosa, Iowa, what do you focus on most in training, and why?
A. I focus on my mental training the most, because I can have a strong body, but a weak mind is a weak fighter.
Q. What are your passions in life, outside of fighting?
A. Racing, and any thing that challanges me.
Q. Self training is hard work for many different reasons. How do you fit your training in while working a full time job? And if the opportunity came your way to relocate and become a member of a team you admire would you grab at the chance?
A. Yeah it’s hard, but if it was easy everyone would do it. But while I’m at work if I carry something or do anything I make it a workout. So really I’m getting 40 + hours of conditioning in a week, but I would like to have a sparring partner if I get the opportunity I would. I’d see what they have to offer and if I like what we can do, then YES in a heartbeat
Q. You are a fighter through and through, taking most of your fights on short notice, knowing little or nothing about your opponents. How do you cope with that?
A. It’s more to an advantage because stats are there to scare you, just because he’s 7-0 that doesn’t mean he can beat you, it just means he can beat those 7 other guys. It gives me the chance to fight everybody like they are the baddest guy I’ll ever fight.
Q. If given the chance to fight someone from past or present, local or on the big stage, who would it be, and why?
A. Pat Miletich, becasue he is a God in my eyes in this sport.
Q. You do all aspects, coaching, training, fighting, and managing yourself. Do you find it hard to get a good fight/challenge in Rural Iowa?
A. No, It’s hard for people to take me seriously, becasue I do it all myself.
Q.You’re looking for a fight, what makes you stand out as a fighter? Why should bigger promotions put you on their card?
A. The way I carry myself in the ring I’m always moving and slamming and I get the crowd going the louder they get the harder I hit.
Q. Which of your fights stands out the most to you?
A. When I fought Chris McDanials from Branson, Missouri. He gave me 7 knees to the temple and I still kept coming. I have never been hit like that, but I learned I can take a lot and that was always in the back of my mind.
Q. What is your favorate moment in a fight?
A. When they tap
Contact info
Email ~ oskyshollywood@yahoo.com