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| Fighter News |
Brian Foster
Brian "Foster Boy" Foster is from Oklahoma and has a professional record of 14-3.
What made you interested in MMA Fighting?
Brian: My brother died in '06 and I needed to channel my anger and aggression into something positive. Jeremiah Caves, a buddy that I wrestled with in High school, who had already started training and fought, asked if I would be interested and I started and never stopped.
What fight was the turning point in your career?
Brian: My last loss. The fight was in my home town and the venue and the environment was a big negative part of it. I just labeled it as bad management and moved to Granite City to train at the H.I.T. squad. Best choice of my career.
What is a typical day for you?
Brian: Wake up, cardio train and/or whatever Coach Fiore says, lunch with the fellas, maybe a nap or back to the gym for an hour, Pro Class at 5, back to the dorms, watch a flick, and crash out. The next day, do it all over again....
What are your biggest strengths?
Brian: I would say im pretty athletic, but above all things I'm well rounded. I don't train one particular thing, we do it all...
What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Brian: For the first 2 years of my career, I trained with just a few guys in my home town out of my garage. It was good for a start. Most of the guys kinda got bored with it and I ran out of training partners. I wasn't training enough, I fought, I lost. I knew the reason so I left home and came here (HIT Squad)...
What did you do before you started fighting?
Brian: I worked at a bed factory for 4 years. Before that, high school.
Where do you see yourself in a year from now in terms of your fighting career?
Brian: I see myself in a big organization making good money, beating dudes up that they put in front of me.
Who do you credit most for getting you where you are today?
Brian: My Grandfather for teaching me to never quit or give up. I hate losing. In terms of my career, Marc Fiore. He plays a big part in the steps I take now.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you while you have been training at the HIT Squad?
Brian: I tried this barrel roll kick that Dj Fuentes does and I busted hard. Everyone was watching... pretty embarrassing.
What do you think of the HIT Squad Training Facility?
Brian: I haven't been to enough places to say it's the best in the world, but I do know I'm never leaving... At the H.I.T. Squad you dont have to go to other gyms to get training for anything cuz we have everything....
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Whisper Goodman
What made you interested in MMA Fighting?
Whisper: I went to watch one of my friends fight and he was actually fighting for a belt. I knew he was in descent shape but not the best. Unfortunately, he lost. After that event I told him “I could of whoop both of you guys” and he said “whatever”. I asked him when the next event was taking place. I trained for three weeks and knocked my guy out in 27 seconds. I have been hooked ever since.
What fight was the turning point in your career?
Whisper: When I lost my first unanimous decision.
What is a typical day for you?
Whisper: Wake up at the HIT Squad’s fighter dorms and eat breakfast. Go to the gym from 9:30 til 10:30 to work on cardio. At eleven I do a boxing class til noon and then hit the weights for about 30 min. I go back to the dorms, eat, and sleep. I wake up and eat again. I’m then back off to the gym for wrestling from 4 til 5 and another boxing/sparring session at 6. On certain days I will do jitsu at 7:30
What are your biggest strengths?
Whisper: My heart is a big one. You can’t judge it or see it. My competitive nature is another. I am a competitor. Competition brings out the best in me. My power, my endurance, and my footwork are also strengths.
What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Whisper:One of my friends, Pat Flanigian, told me that Matt Hughes, who he is friends with, had opened a gym. I tried it out for ten days and that was all it took for me to know that this was the place that was gonna benefit my career.
What did you do before you started fighting?
Whisper: I was a professional football player in the NFL. I played with the Green Bay packers from 1999 until 2003, and 2004 was with the Colts when they lost to the Jets in the first round. In 2005 I got cut by the Cincinnati Bengals after making it to the final cut. I taught at Southwest Senior High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin from 2005 til 2007. In the middle of 2007 I got started in mixed martial arts.
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CJ Fernandes
CJ Fernandes is a HIT Squad Fighter who lives with his wife Jodi and
their 2 sons, Kyle age 10 and Trey age 7, and their daughter, Alysia age
2, in Belleville, IL.
What made you interested in MMA Fighting?
CJ: I have a very strong wrestling background from high school so I knew I
would do well in the sport. I was young so the thought of doing what I
loved for money was an influence also.
What fight was the turning point in your career?
CJ: When I fought Ben Earwood in Extreme Challenge. I was the underdog
going in. I won the fight via unanimous decision. That win earned me a
fight in UFC 27 against Brad Gumm.
What is your style of fighting?
CJ: Some people consider me a wrestler, others a striker, I believe I am a
freestyle fighter. I train very hard on the ground and standing up. When
I first started out, I was known for picking up and slamming my
opponent. I would wait for them to take a deep breath in and drill them
in the chest with the point of my elbow. This became known as the
"Fernandes Slam."
What is a typical day for you?
CJ: My day starts out very early. I go to work at UPS Freight at 3am. When
I get off there, I go home and take a nap then off to the Hit Squad for
about 3 hours of training every night. On the weekends I am usually at
one of my son's soccer games or watching my daughter at gymnastics.
How do you prepare mentally for a fight?
CJ: I spend most of the day of the fight by myself. I will sit back and
relax and watch a couple of movies. I avoid the phone at all cost unless
it is one of my trainers, that way I don't have to worry about anything
and can maintain my focus on the fight.
What interested you in the Hit Squad?
CJ: The level of top notch fighters that train at the Hit Squad is
amazing. They come from all over the world. I also feel that the quality
of training I get here in all aspects of MMA is the best in the area.
Where do you see yourself in a year from now in terms of your fighting
career?
CJ: I see myself at the top of the sport defending a big title.
Who do you credit most for getting you where you are today?
CJ: I give most credit to the late Brian Madden, founder of SFC, for
introducing me to the sport. I also credit Mike Griffin, founder of Pro
Gym, for taking me under his wing my first 8 years of fighting and doing
whatever it took to prepare me for a fight. He and his wife Susie are
like family to me, my wife and our kids. They moved to Florida about 2
years ago and opened a new gym there. We still stay in touch and are
hoping to visit them soon.
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David Jesus Fuentes
Mia Garcia, 12 years old from Texas, had to give a presentation to her
7th grade Spanish class about an influential Hispanic person in her life during Hispanic Heritage Week. So, she picked her instructor and HIT Squad fighter Dee Jay Fuentes
who is here training with us from Mcallen, Texas. Mia did such a great
job, we decided to use it for Dee Jay's interview.
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Charlie Brenneman
Charlie Brenneman is
from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania and is doing The Hit Squad's training
camp. This is his 2nd time coming to stay and train at the HIT Squad.
What made you start fighting MMA?
Charlie: I was teaching Spanish in my hometown and I started to get
restless from not competing. I had wrestled my entire life, capping off
a D-I career in 2004. My buddies and I had always watched MMA, and since
I can't play basketball and pro football is out of the question, I went
w/ what I knew how to do. My goal was to have one amateur fight. Two
years later I have ten fights (5 am/ 5 pro) under my belt. It's my way
of not settling for anything less than what I want.
What weight do you compete at?
Charlie: 170 lbs.
How many fights have you had and what is your record?
Charlie: I have five professional fights w/ 5 wins and 0 losses.
What is your fighting style?
Charlie: Wrestling is my foundation but my goal is to be a very well
rounded fighter.
What is your biggest strength?
Charlie: My ability to scramble and stay level headed during a fight.
What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Charlie: A wrestling friend put me in contact w/ Marc Fiore before
Hughes' second GSP fight. I came out to help him train.
What do you think of the HIT Squad Training Facility?
Charlie: Definitely the best facility in which I've ever trained. Top
notch equipment. It has everything you need to train, as well as some
extras. It's also great that we see new guys regularly, w/ fighters
coming in and out all the time.
When is your next fight and who do you fight?
Charlie: I fight September 12 in Atlantic City. I'll be fighting John
Howard for the Ring of Combat Welterweight Title.
Where are you living while you are training?
Charlie: I live in the five star dorms located right next to the gym.
What has been your best moment during your training at the HIT Squad?
Charlie: To be honest, everyday I train here is a great day. It becomes
an addiction. Though it's extremely tough and I sometimes want to get
away, I feel I'm missing out when I'm not here. Some big time gyms have
"tough guys" that try to "welcome" the new guys; you won't find that at
the H.I.T. Squad. The camaraderie is great.
What has been your worst moment training at the HIT Squad?
Charlie: Umm, the kitchen tends to get pretty dirty. Other than that,
it's all good.
What are your future goals?
Charlie: The whole reason I got into fighting was to feel satisfied and
complete as a person. I need to be challenged. I want to take my career
as far as it can go, and once that is complete, contently settle down
into a normal life and open up an MMA/ wrestling gym back home in PA.
What did you do before you started fighting?
Charlie: I was a high school Spanish teacher for three years before
returning to graduate school in Aug. '07. I am actually completing my
internship for a Master's in Sport Management while at the H.I.T. Squad.
I also had a brief stint on reality television w/ Spike TV's "Pros vs.
Joes." I was the season one winner...so I'm hoping there's a reunion
show in the future.
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Jon Madsen
Jon Madsen is a heavyweight fighter at the HIT Squad. He came to the
HIT Squad from South Dakota.
What made you start fighting MMA?
Jon: Because I couldn't sing or dance. (laughs) God has blessed me with the
ability and desire to compete in the sport of MMA, whatever happens next
is up to me.
What weight do you fight at and how much do you walk around at?
Jon: I'm competing at heavyweight and I normally weigh 240lbs. What can I
say, I'm big boned.
How many fights have you had and what is your record?
Jon: I have had two fights. I didn't do any amateur fights, just went
straight to professional. My record is 2-0 with two first round
knockouts.
What is your fighting style?
Jon: Whatever it takes to win.
What is your biggest strength?
Jon: My power and my agility.
What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Jon: A 1997 Buick Lesabre all the way from South Dakota. That thing is a
beast. I wanted to train with the best. Now I am.
What do you think of the HIT Squad Training Facility?
Jon: The gym is a world class facility, but more importantly we've got a good
core group of athletes that like to train.
Where are you living while you are training?
Jon: I live in the fighter's dorms right here on the River's Edge with the
other fighters.
What has been your best moment during your training at the HIT Squad?
Jon: The whole opportunity to train here has been amazing. Everyday I'm given
the chance to make myself better.
What has been your worst moment training at the HIT Squad?
Jon: I can't think of one.
What are your future goals?
Jon: Train hard. Get better. Be the best.
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Clay French
What made you start fighting MMA?
Clay:I was a MMA fan at an early age. I remember watching UFC 1 with my older brother and thinking that one day I would like to compete inside a cage. While I was in High school I would go watch Matt Hughes wrestle when he was competing for Eastern Illinois University. I would go to the wrestling room and train with him and the other wrestlers in the summer. After I graduated high school Matt started recruiting me to wrestle for EIU. He was the Assistant wrestling coach at the time and was already fighting professionally. Matt was having much success as a fighter and the year after he quit coaching to fight full-time he became the UFC champion. This was when I realized that I too could make a living off the skills I have acquired through wrestling. I basically followed his footsteps and stayed at EIU to coach and begin my fighting career. Needless to say Matt Hughes is the main reason why I began fighting.
What weight do you compete at?
Clay:155 lbs
How many fights have you had and what is your record?
Clay:I have had 17 professional fights: 15 wins and 2 defeats. I am a Pride Fighting Championships veteran and also the current King of the Cage Lightweight Champion.
What is your fighting style?
Clay:Wrestling is my base, but I work very hard to be as well rounded as possible. I try to push the pace and always be on the offense.
What is your biggest strength?
Clay:I believe that my biggest strength is that I am a very well rounded fighter that can determine where the fight is going to take place - on the ground or on our feet.
How did you get to the HIT Squad?
Clay:I learned that Matt was opening a gym near St. Louis and contacted him and Marc Fiore about joining the team.
What do you think of the HIT Squad Training Facility?
Clay:The facility it top notch. I have trained all over the country and this is by far the nicest and most well equipped facility I have been to.
When is your next fight and who do you fight?
Clay:My next fight is June 14 in Chicago at the Sears Center. I will be fighting Jameel Massouh.
Where do you live while you are training?
Clay:I am now living full-time in Granite City at the fighter's dorms barracks across the parking lot from the gym.
What is your best moment training at the HIT Squad?
Clay:I enjoy training everyday. There is not one memory that stands out above the rest. I love my job.
What has been your worst moment training at the HIT Squad?
Clay:Don't have one.
What are your future goals?
Clay:My immediate goals are to win the fight on June 14th and then to win World Victory Road's lightweight tournament this fall. I would also like to purchase a house in the near future.
What did you do before you started fighting?
Clay:I roof for my father's construction company from time to time. I was also the assistant wrestling coach for three years at Eastern Illinois University where I got my undergraduate in Elementary and Middle School education and my Master's degree in Leadership and Technology.
I want to thank my teammates, coaches, girlfriend, family and friends for all of their help and support everyday.
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Introducing Justin Robbins
Justin Robbins is a full-time fighter at the HIT Squad. He is 27 years old.
What made you start fighting MMA?
Justin: I wrestled throughout grade school and high school. After graduating my competitive urges never went away. There is nothing more competitive that a one-on-one fight. It is just you and the other guy.
What weight do you compete at?
Justin: I fight at 135 and 140. Generally, I walk around at about 150, give or take a turkey club.
How many fights have you had and what is your record?
Justin: I have 12 wins 3 losses and 1 draw.
What is your fighting style?
Justin: Obviously a big part of my game comes from my wrestling background. But boxing is another big aspect of my style.
What is your biggest strength?
Justin: Without a doubt it is my work ethic and heart. If I'm not outworking everyone in the gym them I'm not doing enough in my book. I try to win every sprint and lead every drill. I wouldn't quit training if I didn't have to rest and eat.
How did you get to the HIT Squad?
Justin: I was part of Matt's (Hughes) training camp when he fought St. Pierre. I have been training here ever since.
What do you think of the HIT Squad Training Facility?
Justin: It is the best in the world. This place has everything to build champions, the coaches, the equipment, everything.
When is your next fight and who do you fight?
Justin: My next fight is May 31st for EliteXC in New Jersey. I will be fighting Wilson Reis. I am fighting on the same card as Robbie (Lawler).
Where do you live while you are training?
Justin: I drive from Springfield, IL Monday through Thursday. On Thursday nights I usually stay at the apartment that a bunch of the fighters live in that is right on the base.
What is your best moment training at the HIT Squad?
Justin: When Coach Fiore said that he wished that he had 20 Justin Robbins' training here.
What has been your worst moment training at the HIT Squad?
Justin: When I think about my wife and kids when I am here working. I generally leave my house at 7:45 to get to the gym at 9:00 am and leave about 8:00 pm and get home sometime after 9. I only see my kids like 20 minutes in the morning before they leave for school. But I work hard for them and our future. This is my job. It will pay off. It's all about sacrificing to get what you want in life.
What are your future goals?
Justin: If my goal wasn't to be a world champion, then I wouldn't be here. I want to improve as a person and as a fighter.
What did you do before you started fighting?
Justin: I worked in my families plastic manufacturing plant.
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Introducing Amir Khillah
Amir is the newest pro fighter to the H.I.T. Squad. He comes from Cairo,
Egypt by way of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He lived in Kalamazoo for the past
13 years, where he operated Lightning Kicks Martial Arts and Fitness
Center.
What made you start fighting in MMA?
Amir: It was a natural progression for me, after wining the Taekwondo
collegiate nationals in 2004 and representing the US at the University
Olympics, I need to compete at an elite level and going pro in MMA was
the route I decided to take.
What weight do you fight at and how much do you walk around at?
Amir: I walk around at 170-175. I fight at 155.
How many fights have you had and what is your record?
Amir: I have had 4 MMA fights and my record is now
2-2 professionally.
What is your fighting style?
Amir: I started in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and boxing, then added BJJ to
arsenal, and now being apart of the H.I.T. Squad, I'm refining my
wrestling in an MMA specific way with one of the best MMA teams in the
world.
What is your strength?
Amir: My heart, I don't quit, I am a firm believer that you win fights
at training, not on fight night. Training with my new team will bring
you to the brink of breaking, but all I have to do is finish this
training session and I do. The H.I.T. Squad trains harder than anyone
I've ever seen. I've trained at the Olympic Training Center and at a few
other high level training camps, but the H.I.T. Squad trains harder!
What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Amir: Running my own gym made it super hard to exert myself to the
fullest, my team decided to launch me to the next level, so they all got
behind me and basically kicked me out of my gym and have me focus on my
fighting carrer. I decided to tryout for the H.I.T. Squad which is, in
my opinion, one of the best team in the world, and I was invited to join
the team, now I'm here full time!
What do you think of the HIT Squad facility?
Amir: The gym is phenomenal, everything a fighter will ever need and
more is here. Everyone here is on the same page, pushing each other to
new heights.
When and where is your next fight?
Amir: May 3rd, in Effingham, ILL.
Where are you living while you are training?
Amir: I live in an apartment right on the old base walking distance from
the gym. I live there with four other fighters.
What has been your best moment during your training at the HIT Squad?
Amir: Rolling with coach Hughes was a great honor, I grew up watching
him fight and idolizing him, then training with him is a great honor and
a lot of fun, that is till he submits me, that's not very enjoyable.
What has been your worst moment?
Amir: When you I get up from my nap to go to our second workout of the
day, and as I step out of bed I feel that I don't have any joints and
everything is just so sore and tight. You get used to it after a while.
What are your goals in MMA?
Amir: I have a long term goal of fighting in the big show, but I know
that must be accomplished by setting many smaller goals and objectives,
which I'm doing with the help of coaches Pena and Fiore and Robbie
Lawler.
What did you do before getting into MMA?
Amir: I trained and operated my own gym full time in addition to working
on my bachelors in Exercise Science and my masters in Sports Studies.
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Tommy Speer Prepares for Ultimate Fight Night
Tommy Speer is part of the HIT Squad and has been training full time at the facility for his upcoming fight for the UFC on April 2nd in Colorado. Tommy was runner-up on The Ultimate Fighter Reality Show season 6 on Team Hughes.
Who is your opponent for the UFC Fight Night and what do you know about him?
TOMMY: His name is Anthony Johnson. He is tall for a 170 pounder at 6' 2". He has a good right hand but is clueless on the ground and lacks cardio.
What have you been doing since the show ended?
TOMMY: I went back and worked on the farm. We have 142 dairy cows in Elgin, MN. They can't milk themselves. I also worked a lot on my ground game and getting stronger. I did a lot of work off my back.
How big is Elgin, MN?
TOMMY: When I am gone training at the HIT Squad they have 825 people. When I am home working on the farm they have 826 people.
How was it being on the Ultimate Fighter Show?
TOMMY: It was a great experience. It did a lot for my career. The down time on the show could drive a person insane though.
What do you think about the HIT Squad gym and training facility?
TOMMY: It is now my second family if that tells you anything. I love what the facility has to offer equipment wise but the guys I train with make me feel real comfortable. Everyone here is great. I was amazed that anyone could join the gym to just lift weights. They get to see a fight exhibition every night.
How is your training at the HIT Squad?
TOMMY: Very intense. It will push you to the highest level of fighting. It teaches you how to fight but it also teaches you how to beat the mental breakdown. We are pushed so hard in training that getting into the octagon will be easy.
How long have you been at the HIT Squad?
TOMMY: I have been training here for a little over one month. I will be training here to get ready for all my future fights. I'm part of their team and very happy about that.
Where are you living while training at the HIT Squad?
TOMMY: I am staying with Coach Fiore and his wife Annie at their home in Raymond Illinois. It is about an hour from the gym. Fiore is sort of like Mr. Miyagi from the karate kid. He has me doing odd jobs that he says will help my fighting, like taking his son to get his haircut and picking up things from Wal-Mart. I guess we will see. (laughs) The HIT Squad also has a fighters lounge with a leather couch that has sort of been my makeshift apartment during the day between training sessions.
How did you get into fighting?
TOMMY: I went to a local show in Rochester, MN when I was 20 years old. My ticket stub had a phone number on that said to call if you were interested in fighting. So I called. 6 months later had a fight. I had never watched a UFC fight before. I didn't start fight training until after that fight.
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Introducing Mario Stapel
Mario Stapel is a mixed martial artist that has traveled from Germany to the United States to train with the HIT Squad for an upcoming fight. Mario was born in Hebron, Germany and is 31 years old.
What made you start fighting in MMA?
Mario: I started training and competing in Thai boxing as a teenager. At age 16 I had become pretty successful so I decided to take on a new challenge and to test myself more.
What weight do you fight at and how much do you walk around at?
Mario: I walk around at 170-175. I fight at 155.
How many fights have you had and what is your record?
Mario: I have had 24 MMA fights since I started in 1996. My record is now 15-9.
What is your fighting style?
Mario: I wouldn't say that I have one style. I started in jiu jitsu and competed in Thai boxing so I'm comfortable on my feet and on the ground.
What is your strength?
Mario: I am a very technical fighter. I don't have great strength so I rely on my technique a lot.
What brought you to the HIT Squad?
Mario: I have my own gym in Germany. I have held MMA shows also. I lost three fights in a row. I gave myself two choices: retire or step it up to the next level. I decided to step up my training. I met a guy from Team Hughes when I fought Duane Ludwig. He got me in touch with Marc Fiore. Fiore and Hughes have a wrestling background so I knew that they could help me. There are so many great coaches and trainers here.
What do you think of the HIT Squad facility?
Mario: The gym is awesome! I have never seen a gym like this. I love the atmosphere. Has a military feel. The coaches are great, a little "ruthless". (laughs) Not used to the conditioning and power stuff. The other members of the team are helping me through. We push each other. I will be in the best shape of my life when I leave here.
When did you get to America and how long are you staying?
Mario: I arrived the day after their grand opening, February 10th. I am sorry I missed the grand opening, heard it was great. I leave on February 27th.
When and where is your next fight?
Mario: March 1st. I am fighting in England against Brazilian black belt Claude Herique.
What is the biggest difference between the cultures?
Mario: Americans are more proud of their country.
Where are you living in the United States while you are training?
Mario: I live in an apartment right on the old base walking distance from the gym. I live there with four other fighters.
What has been your best moment during your training at the HIT Squad?
Mario: Making it to the top of the HIT Squad gym's climbing rope. The first three times I couldn't make it. The conditioning has helped and my teammates pushing me.
What has been your worst moment?
Mario: I overslept one day and missed practice. Someone woke me up and was asking me why I wasn't at practice and if I was going to come here all the way from Germany to get better then I better start showing up for training. It was Matt Hughes. That was how I met him for the first time. He just happened to be teaching the class that I missed. I never missed again.
What are your goals in MMA?
Mario: I want to fight Duane Ludwig again. He beat me the first time. I want to fight some big name fighters and be successful.
What did you do before getting into MMA?
Mario: I was a kindergarten teacher for a couple years. I have a degree in education.
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