“I won’t shake hands and hug, or high-five anyone in the fight, I want to destroy.”
Jason Friedman
Interview by: Lance Edwards
The first Jason Friedman I contacted trying to do this interview was oddly enough Jason Friedman the writer for the Houston Rockets, rather than Jason Friedman who is fighting at Cage Combat this Friday. I first met Jason at Paradigm when I had gone there to interview Rev Bart, Jason was hard at work doing strength and conditioning and he presented as a likeable intelligent guy. One of the things I enjoy most about being involved in the Houston MMA scene is meeting characters like Jason. Fast forward to two days before the fight and Jason had spent the day in hospital with his pregnant wife.
TCD: How did you get started training?
Jason: I started at Revolution Dojo with Jeff Messina and Bryan Neal. I trained mainly Judo, and did a lot of conditioning, wrestling and Judo. I focused more on grappling while I was there. I was at Sam Hogers for 9 months mainly working with Kru Ali as well.
TCD: How did you find your way to Paradigm?
Jason: I got invited by Colin Wright. Revolution had moved out to Katy, and a seventy-five mile round trip wasn’t really an option, as I’m at the gym all the time. I came along and loved it and felt right at home.
TCD: You’re fighting on Friday
Jason: I am and I just heard my opponent Jeremy Hunter has backed out so I’m fighting Brandon Hannah at a catch weight of 160. I don’t care if he doesn’t make weight, I’ll still fight him. This is my first fight, he’s 3-0, but I’m not worried. I’ve been fighting my whole life and I know I want it more. My wife’s in hospital and the guy has beaten two of my team mates, so I’m focusing all that as well on him as a motivator.
TCD: Are you expecting a different fight to the one you prepared for?
Jason: I was preparing for Jeremy Hunter, who comes out strong and aggressive, at Paradigm you can’t help but focus on everything. I’ve been sparring hard, fighting 100%, with guys like Mike Bronzoulis, Brian Melancon and Lee King. If I can spar with those guys I can fight anyone else. I train hard in training and in comparison a fight will be easy.
I just want to go in there and crush, I want to destroy. I see myself standing over him covered in blood, when other people visualize the fight and winning, I visualize, standing over him with a hatchet and severed limbs around me, with the cries of children filling the air and the soundtrack of Cannibal Corpse in the background. I don’t picture a fight, I picture slaughter. I’m not a sport fighter and if I could gouge his eyes out in the rules I would. It’s nothing personal; it would be the same with anyone who faced me. I won’t shake hands and hug, or high-five anyone in the fight, I want to destroy.
TCD: Are you going to fight more?
Jason: After the baby is born I hope to, I think four to five fights a year is a good number, my friend Chico (Artenas Young) had a lot of fights and I want to do that.
TCD: Who are your favorite fighters?
Jason: Chris Leben, Dan Henderson and Chris Lytle. I like technical smashers.
TCD: What’s the soundtrack you’ve been listening to while you’re training?
Jason: I like protest music like Bob Dylan, also stuff like Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse.
TCD: What do you do as a job?
Jason: I work as an EMT for animals; I did veterinary medicine at school and am just finishing my bachelors in education as well. I plan to have some land with my wife and have some herd animals on it, like pigs, chickens and goats, and have a place where people can go to train.
TCD: Sorry to hear your wife isn’t well, when is she due?
Jason: In five weeks, we’re having a girl, Hunter. Paradigm is a family gym, so both my wife and I will be able to train and take her along with us.
TCD: Anything you’d like to add?
Jason: A shout out to my friends and sponsors. Lee King, Mike Bronzoulis, Brian Melancon, Mike Hale, Frank Heaney, Bryan Neal, my wife who’s the best corner person ever, all my training partners, Colin Wright, Starburst Amp Works, Clinch Gear, Primal Iron and Uke foods, which is my wife’s company, she does protein bars and good food.
TCD: I heard her foods very good. We wish your wife well and best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Can’t wait to see you fight on Friday!
Jason, My boy. Man we had so much fun showing up at Hogers when no one else was around, training and rolling like 2 crazy people after you had been dealing with pigs at Vet school, Whew!. You soaked up wrestling like water. I miss training with you, now that work has changed our paths. Sherri & I have got to know you and Lauren, and we really love you guys. I am going to be crazy inside for you friday night, One thing I know, You will be Prepared. WAR JASON FRIEDMAN
God Bless and Love Ya Bro, Mike Hale
At Hoger Jason was the only “non fighter” who consistently sparred and BANGED with the fighters. 165 going hard with heavyweights! Can’t wait to see these beating he will be dishing out!
good luck Jason
Good luck Jason and more importantly i wish your and your wife well.
Give’em hell Jason.
You’ve worked really hard for this moment and it will all pay off. Sorry me and baby mo will not be attending the war but we will defiantly be there in spirit. Take care and hope all is well with Lauren.
Get em Jason. I have the privilege training with crazy brother. Hard hitter
U trained very hard now it’s time for the fun part. Tomorrow night is your time to shine or should I say smash
your gonna do great!
Jason, it’s been a great thing being able to train with you over the course of this past year. Ive watched you put in the mileage, all those mornings chucking Kettlebells around, flipping big-ass tractor tires together, tearing up the mats, knocking heads together like soccer hooligans…I can’t WAIT to see you get in there and CRUSH tomorrow night, brother. CAN’T WAIT…
All of you give me strength. Everything you all have said means so much to me i cant evern begin to explain. I swear i will give you my all and keep swinging until i cant swing anymore. I am honored to have you all in my life and only hope to show you the same respect you have shown me by not giving up and crushing my way to my first victory. This has been a long, hard road and i have been so blessed along the way to be surrounded by the greatest people. Thank you.
I know nothing about Jason Friedman, but after reading this interview and the comments I am now a Jason Friedman fan!! Good luck tonight bro, and best wishes to you and your fam.