Guy Mezger Interview

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In this exclusive interview with MMAyou.com former UFC champion and King of Pancrase Guy Mezger discusses what Tito Ortiz should do next, the possible upcoming fight with Ken and Frank Shamrock, and much more.

MMAyou.com: First, how are you doing?

Mezger: All’s good.

MMAyou.com: What’s new with you?

Mezger: What’s new? Not much. I obviously have been helping develop our HDNet Fights as the President of HDNet Fights and we’ve been working hard at trying to bring another avenue for athletes and people to watch Mixed Martial Arts which I think we’re doing a pretty good job at. We promised people that we’d have twenty four live events this year and we’ll probably have close to thirty-five at the end of the year.

So, we’re busy on that and I opened up a brand new gym that’s absolutely the sweetest freakin gym! The best one in Dallas! Probably one of the best ones you’ve ever seen ever. Man, it’s an unbelievable gym and I’m not just saying that to hear myself talk either. It’s unbelievable. That’s new and also believe it or not, I’ve been helping to develop a movie script for a… It’s an action movie that wanted to have.. They kind of want to use the elements of Mixed Martial Arts and it’s just so hot. So that’s helping these guys develop that screen play and hopefully they get it done. They have the funding for it so if they get it done I’m actually gonna look to recruit some of the MMA stars out there to be in this movie and kind of create the realism for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). It’s not about Mixed Martial Arts, it’s an action movie but they want that whole kind of gritty Mixed Martial Arts fight feel to it. If there’s anything I know about it’s how to be gritty and how to fight.

MMAyou.com: You had the rivalry with Tito Ortiz for a longtime. If you were in Tito’s shoes right now, what would you do? He’s left the UFC, he’s mulling his options, what would you recommend to him?

Mezger: Well I think that… First of all I would say, “Does Tito really still want to fight?” cause you know, he’s made a good chunk of money, he’s a smart guy and he’s done real well for himself and you have to say to yourself, “Does he really want to fight again?”. If that answer is yes well then I think he has an opportunity. Tito is a good seller on Pay-Per-View. If I was Tito I would probably, to be honest, I would be knocking on Mark Cuban’s door saying “Hey Mark, let’s get something together”. There was some talk a while back with Tito but nothing substantial. I think Tito has a really good opportunity. I think that with Donald Trump kind of stepping in with the Affliction deal, I know Donald Trump thinks really highly of Tito. That may be an avenue for him there. To get in there and kind of be a producer in the show. What do all actors want to do? They all want to be producers because they make more money. They make money for acting and then they make money as the producer. I think Tito’s in a position now that he’s created enough brand for himself. There’s the Tito Ortiz brand that he can probably step out and have two or three more good fights where he’s part of the production team, part of the producing of the show, and hopefully if they sell well, make some really good money.

MMAyou.com: Here’s a question from one of your fans that I thought was a really good question. Why did the Pride judges hate you so much?

Mezger: You know, I’ll tell you truthfully man, I wouldn’t play ball with them on certain things. They wanted me to do certain things that’s just not something that I’m gonna do. It’s against my, kind of my moral code and I think it pissed them off because I’m not gonna do some of the stuff that they wanted me to do. And I knew the moment that I disagreed, that I wasn’t gonna play the game with them on that that things were gonna go south for me there.

MMAyou.com: Can we get into anymore then that or should we just leave that at that?

Mezger: I don’t really want to get into the whole thing you know it’s just that they were wanting me to be creative in some of the guys I fought. They wanted kind of a different outcome for the fight and when I refused… They started with the whole talking about it and I was like, “Guys, I know where we’re going with this. Before you guys say anything I’m not gonna do it. I know where we’re going with this conversation and that’s just not something I’m gonna do”. I knew when that happened that I was gonna have to knock guys out. It was kind of a drag. I knew that any of those tough close fights were gonna be… I knew it. (Editor’s note: Mezger lost 3 split decision matches in Pride and Pride officials wanted him to fight an overtime round against Kazushi Sakuraba despite his contract saying that the fight would only be one fifteen minute round with no overtime. Mezger left the ring after being advised by his trainer Ken Shamrock to do so and the president of Pride FC later made a public apology to Mezger for the miscommunication.)

Dealing with the Japanese too you know in dealing with that stuff. They have no real sanctioning body. There’s no athletic board overseeing them or signing judges or any of that kind of stuff. You know they can do whatever they want over there and they often do.

MMAyou.com: Frank says the fight he wants next is Ken. What do you think of all that craziness?

Mezger: To be honest I like both guys. Both of them are my friends. I’m a little closer to Ken these days then I am with Frank and I care a lot about these guys and I would rather just not see them do it. I dunno, it just doesn’t sit well with me. I wouldn’t fight like Trey or Alex or… I wouldn’t fight Ken and I wouldn’t fight Frank, you know what I mean? I just wouldn’t do it. I’m just not comfortable with it. I prefer them not to do but if they’re gonna do it so be it, let them do it.

MMAyou.com: Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?

Mezger: Thanks for all the good years. I appreciate all the fans for…. Generally most everyone was pretty supportive and they’ve allowed me to make a great career, a good great fight career and enjoy it. Just tell them I appreciate it.

For more information on Guy Mezger and his new gym please visit www.guymezger.com.

Be sure to check back with us tomorrow for our new interview with Bas Rutten!

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Comments (8) Add Comment

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written by Mezger Rules., June 11, 2008

Hands down the most underrated fighter of all time... and one of the best ever.

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written by redpits, June 11, 2008

couldnt agree with you more

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written by From Halifax N.S., June 11, 2008

Thanks for the great fights Guy. Much Respect.

OSU

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written by PetersReviews.com, June 11, 2008

Good interview. Even though Guy speaks like a businessman (very carefully) he seems like a good person. I wish we had seen him fight more in the UFC before he retired.

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written by Mezger fan, June 11, 2008

Always loved to watch Guy fight, he was and is always a class act. Met him in Tampa about a year ago, he couldn't have been kinder to us. And we all know he did beat Sakuraba....