Interview with Ricky * RS by MMAHawaii

Ricky “Ice Cold” Shivers - 185lbs
Gracie Barra Alaska

MMAHawaii: Can you tell us a little about your current record and experience?

Ricky Shivers (RS): My current record is 7-2-1. I have been competing in MMA professionally for 4 years.

MMAHawaii: What can you tell us about your training camp?

RS: I train with Gracie Barra Alaska and I am surrounded with world class athletes that truly love MMA and Jiu-jitsu. They are a part of my family and they push me hard every day to fulfill my goals. They are an exceptional group of people and a world class facility

MMAHawaii: Coming from Alaska , how is the training? Is it mostly indoor/outdoor a little of both?

RS: In the winter I train mostly indoors, but in the summers we do a lot of cross training in the mountains. It is the most beautiful place in the world and provides a variety of natural obstacles to really make training interesting and multidimensional.

MMAHawaii: Do you fight mma and kickboxing? Which do you prefer, why?

RS: I did kick boxing in the past but I have been doing MMA for 4 years and I love it. I am an extremely competitive person and the multidimensional aspect of MMA is the ultimate physical and mental test.

MMAHawaii: What is your most memorable fight of your career kickboxing or mma?

RS: All of them, I take something form every fight win or lose.

MMAHawaii: Taking this fight on short notice, how do you prepare yourself for a fight like this?

RS: You don’t, you have to rely on what you know and be confident in your abilities as a fighter. In this game you need to always be prepared because you never know when the phone will ring.

MMAHawaii: Have you ever fought in a tournament before?

RS: Yes we had a middle weight tournament at the AFC in 2006. We had 4 teams with 4 members per team to find out which training camp was the best in Alaska . It was a two night event and Gracie Barra took the championship.

MMAHawaii: Falaniko Vitale is a warrior, having held the Icon Sport 185lb title before and fighting the likes of Jason Miller and Robbie Lawler, what thoughts if any about fighting someone of his caliber?

RS: He is only a man, anyone can be beat.

MMAHawaii: Kenny Ento seems to be somewhat of a submission guru, what thoughts if any do have on fighting someone like him who has almost every win in the first round?

RS: I love to beat someone at their own game.

MMAHawaii: Joey Guel an accomplished striker who seems to finish his opponents on the ground, what thoughts if any do have on a well rounded fighter like him?

RS: Let the games begin

MMAHawaii: Being the tallest guy in the tournament, how do you use your height to your advantage?

RS: You will have to wait to see, I have surprises on the ground and on my feet.

MMAHawaii: How did it feel to find out you would be coming all the way to Hawaii to fight? It must be nice knowing it's for a title too?

RS: I am excited! It’s going to be nice to thaw out. Hawaii is a beautiful place; I have family there and am looking forward to them seeing me take the title.

MMAHawaii: Fighting means different things to different people, what is your philosophy in fighting?

RS: It is the ultimate test, being a very competitive person I love pushing myself mentally and physically.

MMAHawaii: You currently hold a title don't you? Can you tell us about that?

RS: I am the middle weight champ in the state of Alaska . I love being the champ it has given me the opportunity to be a role model for other local fighters.

MMAHawaii: What can the Hawaii fans expect in your fight on Saturday?

RS: A good show and with the height advantage you can definitely expect a couple knockouts

MMAHawaii: Care to make a prediction as to the outcome of your fight?

RS: Fight? I am going to win this thing.

MMAHawaii: Anything else you’d like to say to the Hawaii fans and/or your opponents?

RS: I have a lot of respect for my opponents and am very excited to be there. I look forward to putting on a great show and testing my skills.