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Shad Lierley represents The Seattle Tiger Sharks at Lightweight, coached by Maurice Smith. Lierley had his first pro MMA bout on January 19th, 2007, and won by TKO in just 44 seconds. Lierley brings world-class wrestling expertise to the Seattle team (along with Heavyweight teammate Reese Andy), and has already displayed his
knockout striking power. Coming from New York University, Lierley was held in high esteem as one of the nation's best collegiate Division III wrestlers, and took the UAA championship - the conference considered the best in America. Lierley clearly sports brains as well as brawn, as an NYU International Politics and Economics major.
NWFS: Thanks for taking the time for the interview Shad.
Shad Lierley: No problem!
NWFS: Let's get the local NW fans familiar with you. You were born in Utah, raised in Alaska, why did you decide to settle in Seattle?
Lierley: Well, I was living in New York City at the time and Reese Andy has been a long time friend of mine. He kept telling me that the Tiger Sharks were in need of a solid lightweight and kept encouraging me to come and try out. Eventually I took him up on it and here I am.
NWFS: You arrived with the tall opportunity to impress Maurice Smith...
Lierley: Basically I just showed up and started training with the team. There were several other lightweights looking to get the position, but I guess I impressed Maurice enough for him to reward me with the spot.
NWFS: What's it like training with Mo and the Tiger Sharks?
Lierley: It's awesome training with a group of guys that are always training for the same event. I'm never short of practice partners, and it's a great way to stay motivated. We all have strengths in different areas of fighting and everyone is always more than happy to help each other out. That's what's great about the Tiger Sharks, we have great wrestlers, grapplers, and strikers. All the ingredients necessary for a top notch fighter.
NWFS: Your first bout against Adam Lynn of the Condors ended by KO at just 44 seconds of the first round. Congrats on such a debut! You must have been fired up!
Lierley: Yeah, it always feels good to win in such an exciting fashion. I think it surprised a lot of people.
NWFS: Your second fight, this past April against Mike Corey was a battle that ended in a split decision in your favor. What are your thoughts on that bout?
Lierley: It was a war. I mean a win is a win, I can't complain. I think I won that fight on pure aggressiveness and determination. My left jab definitely helped too. I had heard that his background was Jiu-jitsu, so we fought the majority of the fight on our feet. I didn't want to take the fight to the ground because I felt that I had the edge on the feet. There were a couple of times in the fight that I rocked him really bad. I later found out that he was more of a Muay Thai Fighter, and in retrospect would've taken the fight to the ground more.
NWFS: For Northwest fight fans coming to see you on June 1st at the Everett Event Center for the first time, how would you describe your fighting style/discipline?
Lierley: Well my background is mainly wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, so I'm considered a ground fighter. But as you can tell from my last two fights I'm not scared to stay on the feet and exchange bombs. My stand up has come a long way in the past year courtesy of Maurice Smith.
NWFS: You'll be facing a very tough and talented Chris Horodecki that night. How are you preparing for Horodecki? Are you training any differently for him?
Lierley: My first two fights I concentrated mainly on my kickboxing skills. For this fight my training has been more well-rounded. I've been training my stand up and ground more proportionately.
NWFS: If there's something you'd like fight fans to know about you,
what would that be?
Lierley: I fight because I enjoy it, not because I need to.
NWFS: Who are your favorite fighters to watch?
Lierley: Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Takanori Gomi, and Reese Andy.
NWFS: Where will you be in five years? What are your goals?
Lierley: Hopefully by then I will be an IFL grand prix champ
and
peaking as a fighter.
NWFS: Any shout-outs?
Lierley: I'd like to thank my sponsor V2 Vodka.
They have been great and I appreciate all of their support.
NWFS: Thanks again Shad. Best of luck on the 1st, we'll see you ringside!
Lierley: Thanks for thinking of me. See you there.
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