Paul Bradley Talks Fighting in the Rain (KOTC) and Shark Fights 13

Strikeforce veteran Paul Bradley, recently competed against “Smile’N” Sam Alvey in the Main Event at King of the Cage: Chain Reaction on July 17th, in Wisconsin.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go exactly as planned.

I guess that’s what can happen when a promotion schedules an outdoor event on a dark, cloudy day.

Bradley now has an impressive professional MMA fighting record of 12-2-1, and has competed for national organizations such as Strikeforce, Ultimate Cage Fighting Challenge, and Ring of Combat. Bradley also happens to be a former NCAA Division I stand-out and a former cast member of The Ultimate Fighter—Season 7.

This is my second interview.

Enjoy.

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James Ryan: Hello again, Paul. How are you?

Paul Bradley: Very good, James. How about yourself?

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James Ryan: Great, but I’ll be even better once Anderson Silva kicks the living crap out of Chael Sonnen this weekend.

Paul Bradley: [Laughs]

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James Ryan: So Paul, what happened at your last fight against “Smile’N” Sam Alvey?

Paul Bradley: Well if you recall, that fight was kinda put together at the last minute, but I seriously had no idea that it was going to be outside until I got up there. Needless to say, I was quite surprised.

I probably should have known because ‘King of the Cage’ hosts a lot of their events outdoors—usually in deserts or in California—places where you would rarely ever have to worry about rain.

It definitely sucked that it only rained during our fight though, but it is what it is.

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James Ryan: So, they managed to make it all the way through the entire evening without any rain—right up until your fight?

What was the reaction by the fans in attendance? Were they angry? What was it like?

Paul Bradley: Honestly, the fans were pretty cool about it and we were given the choice on whether or not we wanted to fight. My manager and the promoter both came up to me and I told them that I was absolutely fighting—no ‘ifs, ands or buts’ about it.

Alvey’s camp was really hesitant to do it at first, but I had sponsors out there that I didn’t want to let down. Plus, I’m a fighter. I went there to fight. I didn’t train for two months, getting up at 6:30 every morning, five days a week, just to have something like that happen.

So we went out there but the agreement was that we would fight one round first to see how it would go. But either way, even if it went all three rounds with someone declared the obvious winner, it was still only going to be ruled a ‘no contest.’

At that point, it made absolutely no sense to continue after the first round.

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James Ryan: So the entire first round was in the pouring rain?

Paul Bradley: Oh ya, it was slippery as all hell. I actually shot a double leg and almost fell flat on my face. I still got in though and took the kid down. I completely dominated him that round but we decided that it just wasn’t worth it—way too slippery.

We were both promised to get the show money and we ended up splitting the win bonus.

But now, I’ve got this stupid ‘one’ at the end of my record.

The whole thing was very irritating. I went there to win. I don’t do this for exhibition. I do this for the ‘W’s.’

If ‘King of the Cage’ ever wanted me to come back, I highly doubt that I would ever agree to another fight outside based on this experience.

I love fighting but I’m not doing it for fun. I’m doing it to make a living and to be the best at it. I fight to win.

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James Ryan: Understandable. So, what’s next on the agenda?

Paul Bradley: Right after ‘King of the Cage,’ I asked my manager to start looking into my options for the end of August or early September. He got back to me almost right away with the offer to fight at Shark Fights in Amarillo, Texas against Johnny Rees on September 11th.

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James Ryan: That’s awesome!

Paul Bradley: Ya, I’m pretty excited about moving back down to170 pounds for the first time in about a year and a half. It feels good to get back down.

My old college Coach used to say, ‘a hungry bear fights better than a fat bear.’

The cutting weight thing kinda sucks, but it’s just one more step to help put me in the zone.

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James Ryan: [Laughs] I like that expression.

Looks like a great card too—Jardine vs Prangley, Soukoudjou vs Houston Alexander, Paul Daley will be there, Drew McFredries—the list of familiar names is very long indeed.

Paul Bradley: Ya, it should be a really good card. I’m excited about it.

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James Ryan: What do you know about the guy that you’re going up against? Are you familiar with him at all?

Paul Bradley: Oh, I’m very familiar with the guy actually. I first started my fighting career in Indiana and this kid is originally from Indianapolis.

We had fought on the same card together back then, so I know that he’s aggressive, athletic, and that overall—he’s pretty well-rounded. He’s not specifically great in any one area, but he’s pretty good in all of them.

He has good striking but mine is light years ahead from where I was in 2006.

I know a little bit about him but I plan on watching some tape as well to help in figuring him out.

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James Ryan: Good idea. Is there anyone that you would like to mention or thank?

Paul Bradley: Obviously my family, friends, and of course, my fans. I would also like to thank my sponsors—Enraged Clothing, Clinch Gear, Tap or Sleep, Carnal DaMMAge, and of course, Carried Out Fight Gear.

And thanks James for helping me to get my name out there and show the fans that I’m a definitely a ‘people’s fighter.’

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James Ryan: My pleasure, Paul. And best of luck in your next fight. Try not to get rained on.

Paul Bradley: [Laughs] Will do.

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This is my interview, if you don’t like it…I have others. Check them out at http://mrjamesryan.com/category/interviews/

ONE WAY OUT…CARRIED OUT!