by Darrick Patrick
Gerald "Hurricane" Harris is a professional mixed martial artist who has appeared in organizations such as the International Fight League, C3 Fights, Fight Time Productions, Titan Fighting Championships, Freestyle Cage Fighting, and Full Contact Fighting Promotions. He was also on the seventh season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter.
Darrick: What was the path that led you to competing in professional mixed martial arts?
Gerald: It was the "broke" path. Honestly, I was struggling financially and a close friend that owned a MMA gym convinced me to fight for six hundred dollars. I was only supposed to do it once, but I did so good that people asked for me in other shows. I was teaching part time, so I decided to quit and dedicate all of my time to MMA. Oh yeah, before that the last time I was in a fight was in the sixth grade. I won, but it wasn't easy.
Darrick: In your experience so far, what brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?
Gerald: I love winning. It feels so good to train, compete, and accomplish a goal. I'm not into fighting - I don't even like hurting people, but it's either me or him and I gotta' put food on the table. So, somebody has to get beat up and it ain't gon' be me!
Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?
Gerald: Well, my first year of fighting I trained myself. From August of 2006 to August 2007, I trained myself as I coached a high school wrestling team. After my first two IFL losses, I moved to Oregon and joined Team Quest. It was great, but I'm no longer with them. I train with Rampage Jackson in England, California, and also with Arizona Combat Sports in Phoenix. When I'm home I train with Ghost Dog Boxing, it's an old school gym and I love it. Oh yeah, the answer to the question - I wrestle, box, kickbox, and spar MMA all week. I feel that I am a true mixed martial artist now and not just a wrestler.
Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?
Gerald: Rampage obviously, because I know him as a person and not as a TV personality. St. Pierre for his skills and attitude. B.J. Penn for his passion and dedication to the sport. I have a few more, but my other answers are long enough already. I'm not trying to put anyone asleep.
Darrick: Do you have any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?
Gerald: Train - this is not a gimmick. It's all fun until you actually get in the cage. Your life is at risk, so prepare for everything.
Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?
Gerald: My parents.
Darrick: Outside of competitive fighting, what are your other interests?
Gerald: Art, family, and eating! I love art, if you check my MySpace folder you can see some of my work. Family is great also because I have two children, and I eat everything in sight when I'm not training for a fight. I didn't mean to make that rhyme.
Darrick: If you were the last person alive on Earth, what do you think you'd do to entertain yourself?
Gerald: Um, I don't think you want to know. (Smiles) I'm trying to keep this interview clean.
Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.
Gerald: I was so broke in college that I used to steal food from people when they weren't in their dorm rooms. They used to leave their doors open, so I would run in and do a snatch and grab.
Darrick: What is your oldest memory?
Gerald: When I came out of the womb, the doctor slapped my ass and my daddy punched him in the face.
FOR OTHER INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK ON MMA-ID.COM:
http://www.mma-id.com/DarrickPatrick/?mod=blog&blid=1044
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