Total MMA Studios: So Mike for our readers can you tell us a little about yourself?

Mike: I was originally born in Brooklyn, NY and I grew up in Laguna Niguel and now I am living in Mission Viejo.

Total MMA Studios: Now we know you are currently a firefighter, can you tell use what made you want to become one? Did you think about it as a child or was it just something you got an opportunity for and just went for it?

Mike: I knew after high school that I wanted to do something outside of an office job and I just looked into firefighting. I just made sure to take the necessary classes I needed to become one and I just stuck with it; overall it took me about 3 to 4 years to go fulltime. During that time I also was doing a bunch of other fire related experience jobs such as EMT, wildlife firefighting and reserve firefighting before getting hired fulltime.

Total MMA Studios: Can you tell us about the job itself? What kind of things are you dealing with day in and day out?

Mike: It is very demanding, we are on a 24 hour shift schedule and at any time we can be called out on any type of emergency. Firefighting is all a risk, from medical aids to fires to traffic collisions, really just any type of emergency we can get called for.

Total MMA Studios: Can you tell us about your martial arts background?

Mike: When I was younger I did take up taekwondo and in high school I wrestled and from there I just transitioned into jiu-jitsu.

Total MMA Studios: What made you want to make the transition into jiu-jitsu?

Mike: I liked the competitiveness of wrestling, I started to miss it after high school was over so jiu-jitsu was popular so since I started I never stopped.

Total MMA Studios: Has the jiu-jitsu training and conditioning helped you in your job?

Mike: definitely, jiu-jitsu training has made me very flexible and that’s very important to a firefighter and also conditioning wise there is a lot of calisthenics in jiu-jitsu and you learn to be very agile. I fell the training has helped me become fit.

Total MMA Studios: Now I understand you will be competing soon, can you tell us about the event?

Mike: It’s called Badgefights, it’s a submission wrestling duel, and it’s for the fallen firefighter fund. It will be the Orange County Firefighter vs. the Orange County Sheriffs.

Total MMA Studios: So do you know who your opponent is for the competition?

Mike: Currently I do not know but I will be competing in the 170lbs division, so whoever that is better watch out!

Total MMA Studios: So when is the fight?

Mike: The event is on August 6th in Anaheim and the main event will start about 8:45 P.M.

Total MMA Studios: Can you tell us about the impact your coaches have had on your life?

Mike: I started with a local gym in Aliso Viejo called LA boxing and I really didn’t like the coach so I found Juliano’s gym when it was NoLimits and I really like Juliano and everyone that trains here. We have a lot of good athletes here at Total MMA studios/BTT Orange County and I think its one of the better gyms out there.

Total MMA studios: Thank you very much for your time Mike and good luck on the fight.

Mike: Thank You.