THE VANILLA GORILLA READY TO REPRESENT
Posted on | August 10, 2007 | No Comments
By: Holli Yargo Hearne
Vanilla Gorilla Ready for Kick Ass Fight Saturday
Lodune Sincaid does not take his opponents lightly, not even those he’s defeated. “I beat some really tough guys,” the TUF1 alum reflects, “They are all tough for following this path of a fighter. It’s not an easy road to take, but the view from the top is like no other.”
After shellacking top-ranked fighters such as James Irvin and IFL team players Alex Schonauer and Dan Molina, the Vanilla Gorilla has no shame for his losses to the likes of the dynamic Jason “Mayhem” Miller or Nate Quarry, either. In fact, he is the first to admit that the only fighter who ever truly conquered him was himself. “I was going through some inner struggles,” he admits of the 4 blemishes on his professional record, “Life does that sometimes. People know what I am talking about.”
Claiming that shoot fighting is his Prozac, Sincaid says his game plan is simply to seize the day. Living day by day is a gift by his account and rumbling is the ribbon that ties the whole package together. Not knowing much of his next opponent, Robert “The Bulldog” Hunsperger, he believes they will still give the fans “a kick ass fight.”
Often touted as a wrestler with Tae Kwon Do experience, Sincaid says he actually started as a street fighter until he was shown the true way. His teachers are among the elite in mixed martial arts and include the godfather of MMA, “Judo” Gene LeBelle and Gokor Chivichyan. He trained with Karo Parysian and TUF5 runner up Manny Gamburyan. He says his style is “a combo of the teachings of the black belt hall of fame members and my own swing mixed in.”
Hand-picked for The Ultimate Fighter 1, Sincaid sings the praises of the opportunities gained from his experience. He’s proud to have been a part of MMA and UFC history by being on the show and hopes all his recent hard work will right the wrongs and “poor showings on there.” He was knocked out by Bobby Southworth in the second round of their season debut bout on The Ultimate Fighter.
Lodune gives much love and shout-outs to “West Coast Jiu Jitsu, 155lb Nick Willert, 205lb Nick Braker, 170lb Lee Chapman, my new Handler aka my Girlfriend Steph, and of course all the Fans that we call ‘The Gorillas in the Mist.’ Without the support and kind words from my Mist crew this path could have been a lot bumpier! And of course my MOM for her never-ending love and strength! Feel free to give me a shout at http://www.myspace.com/lodunesincaid.”
Lodune battles Team Fury fighter Robert “The Bulldog” Hunsperger at Gold Country Casino & Hotel in Oroville, CA, August, 11, 2007.