Part 21 of our ongoing amateur MMA interview series.

For part 21 of our ongoing interview series with amateur MMA fighters, coaches and trainers we spoke with Courtney Rawle. Courtney fights out of Leicester, UK.

What is your current record? Any fights coming up soon?

My current record is 0-0-0 looking to change this come Sunday 6th March when I will be fighting at FIGHT UK 3 (http://fightukmma.co.uk/fightuk3.html) in my first amateur fight. I will be trying to do a weekly blog here: www.youtube.com/chokewho. You can also check out my fight predictions and grappling matches on the same channel.

Awesome! That first fight is a huge step. We wish you the best of luck. At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to become a competitive Mixed Martial Artist?

Ever since watching Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Bruce Lee, Van Damme and Donnie Yen kick ass on screen I have always wanted to do some sort of Martial Art. I decided I wanted to be competitive ever since I started training.

Those guys are great! We all love watching them on the big screen. Have there been any challenges in your life that you’ve had to overcome in order to get where you are today?

Getting decent grades whilst at college!!!! It took a long time but I did it and got to University where I earned my Higher National Diploma and Bachelor of Science with Honours. Having Asthma also hindered my performance when kickboxing but I managed to get through without using my inhaler. I rarely use my inhaler now thanks to the training.

That’s great! It takes a lot of dedication to earn a degree. Doing it with honours is even more impressive. Is there a current MMA star you like to pattern yourself after?

I don’t have one person in particular. I try and take a mix from the fighters I like.  Wanderlei Silva, B.J Penn, Genki Sudo, Rumina Sato, Rampage Jackson, Shogun Rua, Yves Edwards, Anderson Silva. Grapplers: Marcelo Garcia, Cyborg Abreu, Wilson Reis, Ryan Hall, Roger Gracie, Jacare, Braulio Estima.

All are great fighters. Where do you train? Care to make a shout out to any of your instructors or training partners?

I  train at the Leicester MMA Academy (http://leicestermma.co.uk/ ) with Leciester Shootfighters. A big shout out to our Head Coach Nathan Leverton, Coach Rob Hannis, Coach Paul Barton, Liam “ Bermuda” Corrigan, Ranjeet “Suave” Baria, JD, Keiren Lewin, Jamie “ Daywalker” Molyneaux, Dan Swan, Caz “Ghost Owl” Tweedy, LJ “Xena” Adams, Nathan Matts, Dan Hardy, Andre Winner and Nick Osipczak. Basically everyone that comes down to train.

Has your fighting style evolved since you began training or have you stuck with a specific style throughout?

Yes, my style has changed. At first I played it safe. Then I wen through a period of years trying all the crazy stuff out (I still do up to a point). But for this fight and this year that will all change when I start to use my experience, and craftiness to help me. Less athleticism and more thinking.

90% of this game is mental. A smart fighter is usually the winning fighter. Is there any particular training you spend more time on? Cardio? Strength training?

I try and give all an equal amount. But with my limited training time (due to work and family) I can only o so much. Funny thing is, everything do turns into a training session. Walking up the stairs turns into a Plyometrics session and picking something up off the floor turns into squat. In the lift at work is my shadow boxing ring. LOL.

LOL. That’s great. You gotta’ squeeze training time in whenever you can, I suppose. The mental aspects of MMA training are often overlooked. What you do to prepare mentally?

Stay calm, listen to music and try and have a laugh before I train or fight. Training & fighting is an outlet and every time I do it I go home happy.

Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you get to where you are?

My fiance and kids, my mum, my bro, friends, family Nathan Leverton, Paul Barton and the rest of Leicester Shootfighters Team.

What advice would you give to other people looking to get into MMA, or any competitive sport, for that matter? 

I would say whatever you want to do go do it!!! Give it you all and don’t give up. You won't get anything from sitting on your arse. Be pro active and get what you want, when you want.

Thanks for your time. If anyone would like to follow Courtney on Twitter, check him out @Chokewho.