What is your nickname and if you do have a nickname how did
you get it?
"My nickname is Kyote (coyote). Spelled like that because
of my name obviously. When I was younger I was called Kylee
and it sounded like Wiley, so Wiley Coyote, Kylee Kyote. Not
too clever but there it is. And plus it fits. Im laid back,
Im no pitbull. Im not the biggest dog in the fight, but Im
rabid, and I will go through your garbage."
How do you seperate fighting and your personal life?
"Its all attitude. Training sucks. I love it but it's a
constant grind. So I have to try and be happy go lucky when
Im outside the cage or the dojo. It'll suck you down if you
don't. I spend 5 days a week sweating, bleeding, often
puking, I don't need to fight outside of that."
Whats your typical day in the gym?...Give us a little sneak
peek into your training regime.
"Depends on the day of the week. Most days it's a whole
bunch of standup kenpo technique, as I train at a kenpo
dojo, then we hit the ground. Do some techniqes, sweeps,
submissions, then work application via mock matches. I like
hardnose training. I do incorporate cardio specific
excercises and a little lifting, but for the most part I
just like to mix it up and simulate the fight as much as
possible without getting hurt."
Why fight MMA?
"Why not? It's a beautiful thing to watch to seasoned guys
battle it out. Such a thinking game. I get to do what most
>guys only talk about. Who knows what the figure is but I'm
part of a small,but growing, percent of the population
willing to do this. So I take the gifts I was given and put
them to use while I can. I love to compete, and I love the
attention to be honest. And the feeling of a
win.....whooooo...I defy anyone to find a substance to match
that."
What element in your game are you most working on right
now?
"Without doubt my stand up. I always have workt o do
improving all areas of my game but I feel comfortable enough
pulling guard and goin dirt if I need to so Ive really been
concentrating on my hands."
What do you do to relax?...What do you enjoy to do away
from training/MMA?
"I just veg. Like anyone Ill watch tv or pop in a movie. I
like playing poker and seeing friend who make you feel at
ease. Its not good to be tense all the time. I love taking
long showers, just sitting in there seems to put me in a
good place."
Give us your most memorable moment in MMA....That moment
that made you say to yourself "I want to do that!"
"Oh man, like any kid I wanted to be a ninja way back! I
was always into something martial arts related. So to a
degree its always been there, that desire to do this. But I
remember youth wrestling tournaments where I would just want
to take someones neck and put em out. Not that I did or was
overly aggressive, it just seemed to me alot was lacking as
far as the jiu jitsu element. Haha, I didnt even know what
jits was then, but I wanted to do it."
Who is the best MMA fighter in your opinion?
"Thats a tough one. Anytime this comes up you have to say
Fedor, or Silva, or GSP...... However, I'm really liking
Jose Aldo right now. He has yet to really establish a legacy
but I think he's the future of the WEC and his weight
division. I also think Jon Jones is going to carry the UFC
for years to come."
Who was your toughest opponent?
"Thus far myself. I lost my first fight very quickly.
Nerves took over and I abandoned my gameplan completely and
paid for it. To my opponents credit he did everything right
so I dont want to take anything away from his victory, he
earned it. But I know if he and I were to fight again it'd
be a different story. I won't be so crass as to guarantee a
win, but it wouldnt be a 55 second submission."
Where do you train and who are your trainers?
"I train at Robert Koch's International Black Belt Academy
in Alden, New York. I have some amazing sensei's there and
they have really imrpoved my hands in all aspects. I can't
speak highly enough of that place. As far as my bjj I
basically run my own program there though I do have a Ni Dan
who promotes me in a system called Gypsy Jiu Jitsu when he
feels Im worthy."
What do you look for in other fighters?
"Will, hips, and brains. If I think I can break you just by
not going away then I win before the bell rings. if I see
you dont have a base condusive for a stable ground game then
I will take you down and finish. And brains.... thats a easy
one. If youre making the fight harder on yourself Ill know
cuz my job gets easier and thats when I have lots of fun.
Any time someone is having fun in a fight, chances are the
other guy isnt."
What motivates you to fight?
"First and foremost the will. Im willing to do it, and just
getting over the initial jitters you understand theres alot
farther to go and true to the monachre, youll fight tooth
and nail to move forward. And personally, validation to a
degree. Im a small guy with a big mouth. Im not aggressive
socially but I get a lot of heat for who I am and what I do,
especially in a state where its illegal and misunderstood."
What would you do if you were not a fighter?
"Well I still teach private music lessons. Thats always a
fun first convo when I meet a parent. ("Hi, Im Kyle, lemme
explain the bruises and ears"). So I think Id keep doing
that. I love it"
If you could fight anyone in the sport of MMA, who would it
be and why?
" Nick Diaz. Hes my favorite fighter and could teach me
alot. Then a close 2nd is Spencer Fisher. We have similar
styles and frames, and hes southpaw. He's just been in so
many wars and is a real quality fighter as well as a down to
earth awesome dude."
If you could fight anyone NOT in the sport, who would it be
and why?
"Judge Judy or Dr Phil. I dont want to say out of spite but
I'd really love to thai kick either rof them in the teeth. By
the way I dont condone intergender violence, but shes
broderline anyway."
Have you any superstition or mania on fighting days?
"I like to come out second to the cage. I need music before
hand. And I have my own little place I go to in my thoughts
right before I walk out. Other than that its on."
When will we be seeing you fight again?
May 1st at Emidio & Sons Center OH. I am fighting for the XFS 155lb
Championship belt
Do you know who you will be fighting?
His name is Nate Mango. He fights out "Team True Fighter"
He is 8-3 ..other than that I dont know much about him...soon will though!
Are there Fans, Friends or sponsors you would like to thank
and give a shout out to?
"Headshot Brand Clothing, Darrows Restaurant, Sky High Ink,
Fight Zone NY, IBBA, Jams Music, Evolve MMA, MMA Crypt, MMA
Warlike, all my Headshot teammates, and of course Xtreme
Fight Series
How can folks contact you?
" You can find pages for me here, or on facebook or
myspace. Thanks alot for the time and attention!"
www.headshotonline.net
www.internatinalkenpo.com
www.fightgearny.com
www.akronmma.com
