10 questions with Jeremy Henry

Jeremy Henry is a 23 year-old Springhiller and competing MMA fighter since September 2007. With a series of wins under his belt we ask the up-and-coming star of the Atlantic Canada octoganal ring what makes him tick.

1. What got you into MMA?
I always had an interest in contact sports. I amateur boxed and wrestled as a kid and throughout high school. My older brother John is a boxing coach and has taught me a lot of skills, which increased my confidence about entering the cage. MMA was becoming more and more popular and I loved to watch it on TV and always wondered what it would be like to fight in the octagon. Once my brother Justin started training as a MMA fighter my interest became stronger. After watching his first pro MMA fight at King of the Cage I knew this was the sport for me. I started training at Cumberland Freestyle right away.

2. What disciplines were you involved in before MMA?
I have always lifted weights and kept in good shape. I played hockey, basketball, boxing and wrestling. I love all sports and feel that I am very athletic; I pick up most sports well and do well in them.

3. What do you remember most about your first match?
I remember being very nervous; it was like my nerves got the best of me. I had the cage jitters.

4. Is the second and third matches easier to focus on compared to that first match?
Yes. You have more of a feel for the cage. You feel more confident and the jitters subside for the most part.

5. What is your training routine like in the run of a week?
I train about 5 times a week at Fit Plus in Dartmouth. A typical training class includes at least 1 hour of Brazilian jiu jitsu, which is a type of martial arts that is very technical and focuses on submissions. It is a very disciplined sport. We are required to wear a Gi and bow. I also train at least one hour of muay thai kickboxing. Mauy thai is also a very disciplined sport and focuses on techniques such as punches, kicks, knees, and elbows.

6. Why do you think more and more people are turning to MMA for entertainment over traditional disciplines like boxing?
I think people are now turning to MMA for entertainment because the fighters are all around athletes, MMA takes a lot of heart, which is respected, MMA is more technical, disciplined and more fast paced.

7. Have you ever received flack from someone because of your involvement with MMA?
Some people are against me training because they think that I will be seriously injured. Injury occurs in all sports. No one has ever tested me as a fighter; everyone knows that MMA is a disciplined sport.

8. How does your family feel about you entering the ring?
I have a lot of support, my family is confident in my skill and understands my love for the sport and want to see me achieve my goals. My family has supported me by being in attendance at all of my fights.

9. Your ultimate match-up?
My ultimate match up would be with the ECC lightweight Champion Jason Mackay. Jason is a great guy, he has a lot of skill and heart and I have a lot of respect for him.

10. What's life like when you're not training?
I work seasonally for a road construction crew. This works out perfectly so that I am able to be home with my 8-month-old son Blake for the winter. I live with my girlfriend Bethany and my baby boy. We moved here to Halifax in September to be closer to work and school.