MMeh’s Q & Eh!

Q: Sam, you’re getting ready for your big fight on June 18th Ringside in Montreal?
A: Ya. I’m ready. I’m really excited to be back in Montreal. It’s been over two years since I’ve been back here. I’m happy to fight in my hometown. I’m excited to show the fans of Montreal where I’m at with MMA 2010.

Q: Alright, let’s get down to the more personal questions. Where were you born?
A: I was born in Saint Jean sur Richelieu in Quebec since I was twelve after that, I moved a lot. I’ve been in Montreal since year 2000 I’d say.

Q: What did you eat for breakfast?
A: Actually (chuckles) every morning it’s uh… cereal, milk, banana, apple, and berries. That’s pretty much what I eat every morning. (Sounds good. It’s a little better than what I had this morning.)…ya, protein and fruits eh? (Chuckles)

Q: Are you currently working?
A: I’m working at Café Campus pretty much from Monday to Friday as a booker for bands and producers. We have two venues to rent in show business. Basically bands playing.

Q: That sounds interesting. How long have you been doing that?
A: Two years. I started as a door man. It’s a co-op also. Everyone’s working for the same company. They had an opening as a booker and I didn’t have much experience but I’m learning everyday now.

Q: When did you know you wanted to fight professionally?
A: After I started with Steve & Stephane Vigneau at Vigneau Academy MMA, I went to Beauport Quebec to do two amateur fights – Challenge Jiu-Jitsu it was called at the time. I did my two fights, pretty good, pretty fast, without my fists, open handed fight. I finished the guy on the ground, ground and pound, not slapping I would say but punching him with my hands (laughs), after the fight, I went to the dressing room and both of my trainers told me I impressed the promoters and I could make a lot of money (laughs) so that’s when I knew (laughs) I wanted to go… professionally.

Q: Still chasing that dream?
…ya! I’m still waiting for that money but anyway (laughs hard).

Q: What’s the best advice a trainer’s given you?
A: The best advice I would say is uh let it go. I think it’s the best thing to do when you step in the cage. You know the game plan already. You know the training you’ve done. Just let it go. That’s the best thing I think.

Q: What motivates you as a fighter or as a person to get out of bed in the morning?
A: I think that’s uh…hope in life, everybody lives their life. Wake up, do what you like, do it good. Do what you think is good for you and hopefully things will start to happen. That’s what motivates me in the morning. I’m always happy in the morning. It’s pretty rare I wake up and I’m pissed off. I’m happy to be alive and I just do my thing. Work, train and have fun.

Q: Take us through today- what happened this morning and what’s going on tonight?
A: Uh…this morning ah! I woke up at uh…I woke up at 5a.m. I had my son with me. He woke up early cause he went to bed early! (laughs out loud). Having him take his meal and milk and stuff then we went for a walk. I didn’t have to work till 2p.m. Now I’m working till 11p.m. It’s my day off training today but tomorrow I’m back at it. Basically everyday its training and working.
Sounds like you have a good balance!
Yes, Family’s very important.

Q: What’s something your fans don’t know about you? That I’m a father! (Laughs)
A: Well they know now! (BOTH LAUGH) Yap! They know now. He’s 8mths. I’m pretty happy about it. He’s healthy and gentle. He helps me for my motivation also. That’s life. It’s amazing stuff. I know he’s there. He’s just waiting for us to take care of him.

Q: Pickup truck or sports car?
A: (hesitates) I would say sports car but I don’t remember the name. It’s a new electric car. It goes fast, new battery set up. It’s an electric car that looks like a Lamborghini, how’s that? (Laughs)

Q: Most influential person in your career?
A: I would say right now in 2010 it’s John Normandin. I met him four, five months ago. My life wasn’t going too well at the time. He’s my stand up coach right now, boxing and kickboxing coach as well. 
A true mentor? Yes! A true mentor. I wouldn’t say fixing my mind but helping me find a way to reach my goal and to follow through. A way to see it simpler. Be happy about life.

Q: Tell us what’s the most annoying thing about teaching MMA?
A: I would say beginners. You don’t know what skills they have already. They come from Tennis, Hockey, and Football and um…sometimes it’s hard to find their skills and strengths and put it into MMA. I find it difficult. Where do you start? What are they going to be good at? At the same time it’s about going back to basics. Beginners come and want to do everything. With that said, it takes a very good beginner program.

Q: Best fight you’ve ever watched?
A: Uh…maybe not the best fight but the one I was looking forward to the most for the hype was GSP against Matt Hughes- the first match; A Canadian going for the title right away. I followed GSP in his career in UCC. He did well. He just got caught. Really good fight, very exciting!

Q: If you could choose your walk out song- what would it be?
A: It’s funny cause I’ve tried twice to put it on but it didn’t work. I’m just looking forward to putting this song on now, not my next fight but for my championship fight. It’s called Number one by Admiral T, it’s a French artist. The song basically talks about what it takes to be number one, to stay number one.

Q: Which professional fighter’s style do you most resemble?
A: Today, I would say BJ Penn cause that’s where I want to be, a good overall fighter and for the past I would say Paulo Filho because of his style.

Q: What would you change in MMA regulations?
A: I would say maybe adding the knee to the head again or the yellow card from Pride.

Q: Are you superstitious (before a fight?)
A: uh…I wouldn’t say superstitious but I have habits. I never go to my dressing room first. I directly go look at the ring or the octagon, I like to feel it out. I want to get a feeling and visualize. Feel the energy. Actually, I don’t even stay that long; I just get a feeling of what’s going to happen and why I’m here.

Q: Ring or Cage?
A: I would say both. I would say 50/50.

Thank you Sam for taking the time to talk to us. MMeh Fighter wishes you much success in your career.

Photo credit: Eric Gaudreault