We caught up with up and coming Canadian MMA superstar Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford, as he prepares to defend his TFC welterweight belt against verteran Carlo Prater.
Terry (TheMMANews): “Ryan you’re riding a four fight winning streak heading into your upcoming fight on July 17 against Carlo Prater. How is your training going, have you made any adjustments?”
Ryan Ford: “Training is going good; I’m going back to Victoria in the morning. I just came back from the MMA expo in Toronto and I got 5 weeks until fight night. I have been trying to get better at every skill and get ready to go.”
Terry (TheMMANews): “How many fights do you have left on your contract with The Fight Club, and is there any chance of seeing you in the Octagon in the near future?”
Ryan Ford: “I got one fight left with the fight club, which is the next fight here to defend the title. After that, the octagon, whenever they come calling I’ll be ready I’m just going to keep knocking people out and choking people out and we’ll see what happens.
Terry (TheMMANews): “Who do you consider to be fighters that you would like to face in the coming year, regardless of which company promotes them, and why?”
Ryan Ford: “ I just want to fight whoever says they’re the best then I want to fight them, if they’re doing it, well I’m doing it too so let’s do it. I been doing this for 3 years so I’m climbing the latter and I’m prepared to do my thing.”
Terry (TheMMANews): “What’s a typical day of training, and do you maintain your weight throughout the process or do you have a large weight cut?”
Ryan Ford: “I usually start an 8 week training camp, the first couple weeks help to get back into rhythm. I start around 200 pounds 8 weeks out, and right now I’m 5 weeks out and I am sitting about 190 pounds and very strong. I’m just doing the same things I always do and working hard in the gym. I split up my boxing, wrestling, jui juitsu and strength and conditioning into different days.”
Terry (TheMMANews): “There are critics out there that say you are one of the most gifted natural athletes in MMA but that you need to focus on putting the effort in to mastering “technique”. How do you respond to those critics?”
Ryan Ford: “The critiques are right, I am one of the most gifted athletes out there, but what they don’t know is that I am getting more technique and skills with everything to do with MMA. I’m not focusing on one specific thing but trying to better myself in all areas, and my game is getting better and better every time I’m in the gym.”
Terry (TheMMANews): “Are you still going to various schools and sharing your life experiences as a way to help kids maintain their lives on the “right track?” Tell us a little about what this means to you.”
Ryan Ford: “I have traveled to quite a few different places to speak to schools. I have spoken at a bunch of the junior highs and high schools in Edmonton, where I’m from. I just want to give back to some kids that might be gearing off in the wrong direction and with my experience maybe steer them back in the right track. I let them know that seeing people with nice vehicles and money isn’t about hanging around with gangs and selling drugs. Just to hang around with positive people because that will help your life get positive.”
Terry (TheMMANews): “Is there one aspect of mixed martial arts that appeals to you more than any other? “
Ryan Ford: “ I like the challenge, I like taking on the challenge and training and waiting for somebody to take on the contract and take on the challenge because they think that they can beat you and I just love fighting and this is what I do for a living now.”
Terry (TheMMANews): “Give us a few things you like to do during your downtime away from fighting.”
Ryan Ford: “I like to chill out with the family; I got a beautiful wife and a beautiful daughter that turns 2 in September. I like to go to the parks and hang out with my friends, and play Playstation 3—I’m a gamer!”
Terry (TheMMANews): “Anything you want to say to the fans that support you?”
Ryan Ford: “I just want to thank all the fans that support me, and if you don’t know me go to my website www.ryantherealdealford.com and check me out on YouTube. And I want to give a shout out to all the haters, out there because them hating just makes me get better—I love it.”
