My Interview with Shawn Ramage

Interview of Shawn Ramage, by shanoknowsmma

November, 2008

Shawn's myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/shawnramage_kotc

shanoknowsmma: Hello Shawn! How are you?

SR: Doing fine. How are you?

shanoknowsmma: Doing good. So what have been doing lately?

SR: I work full time as the match-maker for Gladiator Challenge. I've got a few shows coming up. But things get a little slow during the Holidays. Nobody wants to watch a show at Christmas time.

shanoknowsmma: So what happened...how did you get out of fighting and into match-making?

SR: i stopped fighting about 5 years ago to persue a career in promotions. starting out as part of the road crew for Gladiator Challenge and King of the Cage. i worked my way up and God blessed me with the position of matchmaker.

shanoknowsmma: Yeah, i noticed you're a Christian...?

SR: Yes. I have deep faith in God. When i was a child i was very frail and wasn't even supposed to live. God healed me and i have seen many miracles in my life.

shanoknowsmma: Praise God! That's wonderful. I'm also a Christian.

SR: Yeah. That's one of my selling points...there are a lot of Christian fighters and we have a close relationship.

shanoknowsmma: Does that not cause conflict...i mean, fighting and yet being a peace-loving Christian?

SR: Well, even Jacob wrestled with God. Seriously, it's just competition. We all have a job to do and this is where God has directed us as men. Not to hurt people, but to be an athlete and (combat sport) competitor.

shanoknowsmma: That reminds me of when, a man who worked in a cigarette packing plant, asked his pastor if it was wrong for him to work there. He told him he wasn't forcing people to smoke, and he wasn't putting them in their mouth. But that he had to provide for his family.

God understands. Like the old adage; "A man's got to do what a man's got to do".

SR: Exactly! And i feel blessed to be working with the people i do. God has truly blessed me.

shanoknowsmma: Shawn, how old were you when you started training?

SR: i started training for mma when i was 14 at the Williams Combat Grappling with Tedd Williams and Joe Stevenson. i wrestled in high school and currently hold rank of brown belt in BJJ, Judo and Sambo.

shanoknowsmma: So you and Joe "Daddy" are good friends?

SR: Yes, very much. We even have the same tatoos. Joe started at the same time as me. We're the same age. He and i both started fighting pro at 16. He started fighting about 6 months before i did.

shanoknowsmma: Shawn, i never could understand why you never went to Japan and fought in SHOOTO...?

SR: Offer me a contract.

shanoknowsmma: Yeah, i know 125lbs is not the most popular weight class.

SR: Well, i'll fight at 135 too. I was actually supposed to fight this December against Abel Cullum. But it just didn't work out.

shanoknowsmma: What weight are you right now?

SR: I walk around at 155. Gimme 8 weeks and i can fight at anything below that.

shanoknowsmma: Well, few people remember you but i know you were the only 125lb fighter, in America, that anyone had heard about. You were even whoopin on 200lb guys!

SR: Yeah, only one guy on my record was actually at my weight (125lbs). Everyone else was bigger. I'll pretty much fight anyone if the moneys' right.

shanoknowsmma: So you're still willing to fight?

SR: i am willing to fight anyone with 8 weeks notice if it makes sense.

shanoknowsmma: So you're in pretty good shape?

SR: Yeah, i wake up with aches & pains. But i can get in shape to fight in about 8 weeks.

shanoknowsmma: Were you ever injured?

SR: No. Just the same aches that every fighter feels. I feel good. Just need to train and get back in shape.

shanoknowsmma: And now you're only 25 and the Flyweights are just now coming into their own. Have you heard of PFC?

SR: Yeah. Richard offered me a contract. I just haven't decided to take it yet.

shanoknowsmma: Shawn, you're probably the most talented 125lb American fighter out there. Actually i would say you are probably THE most talented 125lb fighter out there! But hardly anyone has heard of you.

SR: Wow! Thanks for the compliment.

shanoknowsmma: This is what i predict Shawn. That you will beat PFC's champion and then dominate any Japanese fighter they put up against you.

SR: Man! You're inspiring me to want to fight again!

shanoknowsmma: Well, that's how i feel. And i think the WEC will add 125lbs within a year or less...and you're the guy that's gonna help make this happen! And when i have a good feeling about things like this, they usually come to pass. I've predicted a lot of things and then they happen just as i said they would.

SR: Well, i think i'm gonna help make this one come to pass! You've really inspired me shano.

Thank you so much!

shanoknowsmma: Thank you Shawn, and God bless.

SR: It was great talking to you!

shanoknowsmma: You too friend!

© Shane McFarland 2009