F.I.L.E.S. INTERVIEW with West Coast MMA Champion SAEID MIRZAEI

WHAT GYM DO YOU TRAIN OUT OF?

Reality Martial Arts with George Basargin and Ilya Goldman. I also work on Jiu-Jitsu with Nabil Salameh.

FIRST OR LAST NAME NICKNAMES AND HOW YOU WERE GIVEN THEM.

Saeid Mirzaei “Prince of Persia.” I was given the nickname at wrestling practice due to my similar

appearance to the video game character and similar acrobatic talents. Plus, I’m proud to be Persian!

COMPETITION HISTORY

3-0 as an amateur Mixed Martial Artist (2 Submissions 1 TKO)

West Coast MMA Welterweight Champion

4-0 as an amateur Kickboxer

Western Canadian Silver Medalist in freestyle wrestling (Age Class)

Western Can-American Sanshou Champion

PHYSICAL STATS

HEIGHT: 6’2

NATURAL WEIGHT: 162

COMPETITION WEIGHT: Welterweight (170)

AGE: 19

HOROSCOPE SIGN: Taurus

OCCUPATION?

Fighter, Model, Personal Trainer. I also work part-time at Xtreme Fight Shop.

ARE YOU SPONSORED/ENDORSED?

West Coast Reflex. Sport Central Fitness. Reality Martial Arts. Xtreme Fight Shop.

WHAT WAS IT THAT PROPELLED YOU INTO COMPETING?

I’m in love with the rush, that high I get every time I step in the cage and look across at my opponent. It’s just an amazing feeling. I love to compete at anything. I feel as though it’s an evolutionary instinct that is prevalent in some people more than others. Competing as a fighter gives the biggest thrill on this planet, it’s like nothing else. What propelled me to start training was the drive to become more powerful. I was just a skinny foreign kid who was bullied often and I was looking for a way to stand up for myself.

WHAT WORD OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING COMPETITOR?

Instead of spending 10 years training, spend 10 years trying to find a good trainer. Without a good trainer, hours of pointless training will never get you anywhere.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN COMPETITION?

The most memorable moment while competing was during my very first wrestling match. I’ll never forget it. I pinned my opponent in the first 30 seconds.

DESCRIBE THE FIRST TIME YOU EVER STEPPED ON STAGE. WHERE YOU NERVOUS?

I’m always nervous before I get out there but as soon as I step out, all my nerves are completely gone and I actually feel like the Prince of Persia. My walkout music (The former national anthem of Iran) fires me up and makes me feel like I’m superhuman.

WHAT DOES YOUR TRAINING REGIMEN CONSIST OF?

I keep it very simple, focusing on the basics.

WHAT TYPE OF DIET DO YOU FOLLOW?

I don’t have a very strict diet but I tend to avoid eating out, eating fast food and enjoy what my fiancé cooks for me at home very much.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FINISHING MOVE AND WHY?

Flying gogoplata. Because it’s a technique that I land often in training.

WHAT IS YOUR WEAKEST ATTRIBUTE?

I look too innocent.

WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST ATTRIBUTE?

My heart and will to win.

AFTER A COMPETITION, WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WANT TO EAT?

Watermelon.

THE ONE THING YOU DISLIKE ABOUT COMPETING?

Nothing, I love everything about it.

THE ONE THING YOU LOVE ABOUT COMPETING?

The rush.

HOW HAS THE SPORT HELPED YOU WITH YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH?

I am so much more confident, and my fear of the little things in life is completely obsolete. Most importantly the sport makes me happy.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

I just won the West Coast Welterweight title so I’ll be taking a little time off to train. My management is currently in talks with promoters about my next fight, hopefully for another belt! (My ultimate goal for the future is to become a World Champion)

IF YOU WEREN’T INVOLVED IN MARTIAL ARTS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE DOING?

I would consider becoming a professional chess player, soccer player or an actor.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHEAT FOOD OR MEAL?

Gelato!

IN A RING MATCH, WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD WIN, BRUCE LEE OR MIKE TYSON?

I love Bruce Lee’s movies. I used to look up to him so much as a kid. He was actually one of the big influences that attracted me to Martial Arts. But as far as facts go, I must admit Tyson would destroy him in under 10 seconds.

YOUR FAVORITE PERSONAL QUOTE?

“Those who can, do. Those who can’t, talk.” – Anonymous