A Class Act

When I began Unlocking the Cage in May, I really had no idea what I was doing or what to expect. I’d set up a couple of schools that were interested in the project, but having been out of the MMA world for so long, not having any contacts on the east coast, and doing everything on my own, wasn’t helping matters. I said to hell with it and gave it a shot, foolishly entered a NAGA tournament the first weekend I was there. Although I embarrassed myself in the tournament and tore the cartilage in my ribs, I’m still glad I went because I met Matt Perry, a teacher who fights out of Joe Lauzon’s gym. Matt liked the idea of my project and sent Joe a text asking if I could come down. Joe answered right back with the invitation.

The pain from my ribs was pretty unbearable, but I refused to miss the opportunity to train there. I loaded up on Aleve and taped my ribs as hard as I could, but it was no use. The guys were all great and took it easy on me, didn’t even laugh the few times I screamed like a girl before finally calling it quits.

Here are the pics from my time there.

Not being able to roll was the best thing that could have happened because it gave me time to interview most of the fighters, all great guys with interesting stories. Joe was the last interview of the night and it started out fine. Then three minutes into it, my camera shut off, the memory card full. Like I said, I didn’t know what I was doing, no idea how much 32gb really was and no back up on hand. Joe was great about it and gave me some computer advice, was even cool enough to come back a little early the next morning to finish the interview before practice.

In that hour, I learned a lot about Joe, who he was and where he came from, the people that had influenced him and why he is fighting. The impression I’d had of him going in was only confirmed and I enjoyed the gym so much I returned the next month to get in some more interviews (They still hold the Unlocking the Cage record with 11.) It also inspired me to write this short post.

Joe has a big fight coming up on Dec. 29 against Jim Miller at UFC 155. If I were a real journalist I suppose I’d try to remain impartial, but that’s not happening. In August my wife and I went to the Staples Center to cheer for Joe when he came out on top against Jamie Varner. We’ll be rooting for him again, hoping he might even pull off another fight bonus and tie Anderson Silva for the most held by any man.

For more info on Joe, check out his blog, the gym’s site, or follow him on twitter.