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John
Gunderson may not be stepping in the ring to compete June
1st in Everett, but this NW fight fave has been fighting
for The IFL since January '07. Gunderson got his start in
full contact fighting with Desert Brawl by the
encouragement of Oregon State MMA pioneer, JT Taylor. His
first pro bout was a win by TKO on February 22nd, 2003.
Throughout the years Gunderson has fought several times
for Desert Brawl, as well as Sportfight, Gladiator
Challenge, X-Fighting Championships, and more... Now he
fights in the world's first mixed martial arts league:
The IFL. His team, The Reno Lions, is coached by MMA legend
Ken Shamrock. The wealth of knowledge Shamrock provides is
priceless to the young MMA athlete and enthusiast.
Gunderson's next bout is June 16th at the Las Vegas Hilton
against Gabe Casillas (9 - 7) from Don Frye's Arizona
Scorpions. NW FightScene interviewed Gunderson in Issue
1
(Fall 2006),
before his introduction into The IFL, because we
recognized him as one of the NW's next rising stars. He's come a
surprisingly long way in that short time. As someone that
has been competing in the same region with several of The
Tiger Sharks and Wolfpack throughout the Great NW, we
wanted to hear his thoughts on the Everett event, and well
as to catch up with him and his career with The IFL.
NWFS: Congrats on your string of successes John!
How has life changed since joining The IFL?
John Gunderson:
Well, I train a whole lot more. Before I joined the IFL I was working 14-hour days, and
maybe got in an hour or an hour-and-a-half of training. And that
wasn't even everyday, sometimes only twice a week. Now, I train 6 days a week, 2 to 3 hours per session.
I'm learning a lot more and I've become a much better fighter.
NWFS: What does you family think of this sudden transformation in your career?
Gunderson: They love it! They get to see me a whole lot more. Even though
I'm training more, I get to spend time with them more.
NWFS: That sounds ideal! In issue #1 of NW FightScene, you told us you like to train with as many people as possible. What it like training with Ken Shamrock!?!
Gunderson: It's awesome! I was a little nervous at first because I
didn't know what to expect. But we get along really well. Like just last week, I was
wanting to go down to train with Randy Couture at his gym, and he said,
"Go ahead. Learn all you can from him." He's great. He expects everyone to train as hard as they possibly can, and
that's what I do.
NWFS: What do you take away from the mats when Ken teaches you
directly?
Gunderson: He pushes me when
I'm tired. He'll stop me here and there, and shows me the little things that help improve my game.
He's an excellent coach.
Really, he's the best I've ever had.
NWFS: I bet Vernon "Tiger" White brings a lot to the table too. What are your thoughts on your team, overall?
Gunderson: Tiger does bring a lot of experience to the table, but I
don't really train with him as he's a different weight class. My main partner is
[Lion's Welterweight] Pat Healy. He's a real tough guy and we've become very close. But there's a great group of training partners, not just my IFL teammates, at the Lions Den.
NWFS: What's your favorite part of being an IFL athlete?
Gunderson: Not having to work full-time! (All laugh) And having my skills improve on a daily basis.
NWFS:
You're coming off a tough decision loss to Silverbacks' Bart
Palaszewski. What are your thoughts on that fight?
Gunderson: I thought that I won. But it's my fault as I played it too safe. I came in with a good game plan, but I
didn't execute everything perfectly. I do think I won the fight though. But, you just have to move on to the next fight.
NWFS: How are you preparing for your next opponent June 16th, Gabe Casillas of the Scorpions?
Gunderson:
I'm training really hard for this fight. I'm a lot more intense and my training partners probably hate me
(laughs). I want to make sure I have my cardio, of course. I want to come in and knock this guy out. I really want a knockout!
NWFS: Thoughts on the event June 1st at the Everett Event Center as The Seattle Tiger Sharks face the LA Anacondas, and The Portland Wolfpack go to war with The Tokyo Sabres?
Gunderson:
It should be a
GREAT event!!!
NWFS: Predictions on Fight of the Night?
Gunderson:
The Hieron-Blackburn fight should definitely be a good fight. Both of those guys are great fighters. Ryan Schultz can win his fight with Savant Young for sure, if he comes in with a good game plan. The only way he can lose is if he stands and exchanges with Young.
That's the only way Young can beat him. Another fight that can be a good one is the Benji Radach
- Bristol Marunde bout. Radach is tough as hell and
Marunde's a great fighter too.
NWFS: Speaking of great fighters, your weight class in pretty strong in The
IFL...
Gunderson: Well, even though it's pretty stacked, it's real evenly matched. It just depends on who shows up that day to fight. I
don't think there's one fighter who really stands out, we're all equally good. We can all beat each other.
NWFS: Share your happiest Reno Lion moment with us.
Gunderson: It has to be my first win, when I won the trip to Jamaica.
[Ed Note: Gunderson's first IFL win was over Razorclaws' Josh Odom, via triangle choke in the first round. The victory aided in Ken Shamrock's Lions defeating Frank Shamrock's Razorclaws in a classic and entertaining family/sport rivalry. Guns was awarded "Submission of the Night" by The IFL, with the prize being trip to Sandals Resort in
Jamaica.]
NWFS: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Gunderson: Hopefully still fighting if
I'm healthy... and with lots of money.
NWFS: Thanks for the interview Guns! Any shout-outs?
Gunderson: Of course everyone on my team. Also to JT Taylor for everything
he's done for me, to Marcus Lewis, to everyone in Bend that helped me out and all the folks down in Medford. Thanks to everyone in Oregon who helped me before I joined the
IFL.
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