© Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com
1 Feb. 2007
IFL Dragons' welterweight, Claude Patrick, is at home in Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. He's been hanging out after finishing training for the day when I ask him if he was nicknamed 'Prince' after the title of the book by Nicolo Machiavelli?
"Ah, you've done a bit of research then. It had a little something to do with that, but pretty much because I always thought I was a better-than-average fighter. And I have trained with elite fighters, such as Georges St. Pierre and David Loiseau. I used to live in Montreal and train with them before moving back to Toronto," says Patrick.
And through an impressive MMA career that already boasts a 6-1 record, Claude has been living up to the better-than-average standards he imposed upon himself since taking up a fighting art 27 years ago, as many other kids his age did.
"I think I started with karate at thirteen, pretty much like everybody else – Go Ju karate. My parents signed me up for three months, then I took up Muay Thai and jiu jitsu, and I've been doing them ever since."
Although Claude was born in Canada, he is also regarded as a Jamaican. "That's my family's background. I was actually born here in Canada, but my parents were from Jamaica, and I've always thought of myself as being the premier Jamaican fighter of mixed martial arts. I pride myself on that."
Claude, the only fight you've had that went the distance was the one you lost by decision. All the others you've won in the first round: Are you a fast and explosive fighter?
"No, I just take the opportunities as they come. Not to make excuses about that bout (Claude Patrick vs. Andrew McFedries), but it was my second fight and I wasn't very experienced. I went up there overconfident to say the least. I was at school at the time and they called me up and asked me if I wanted to fight. I said, 'Yeah, I'll fight.' I always wanted to.
"I knew nothing about cutting weight, so what I was doing was drinking coffee to dehydrate myself, then going to the sauna, checking my weight and drinking more coffee. I was also doing six hours of exercising, plus running. I felt all right the next day, but wow – come the second round, I was thinking about Star Trek reruns – hallucinating. (laughs) What a fight…
"It was a great learning experience and I am happy to have shared it with Drew, who turned out to be a really cool guy. He's now doingquite well in his own regard, actually picking up his first winin the UFC against Allesio Sakara recently."
You seem to be a true mixed martial artist who is happy to win standing or on the ground – is that the case?
"Yeah, you can't determine where the fight goes. I think that's one sign of weakness that's going to be phased out of the game pretty soon. When guys are known as stand-up or ground fighters, then usually their opponents have the opportunity to avoid that area. You want to be able to take your opportunities as they appear – and make them anyway you can.
"Look at Kevin Randleman: He knocked out Cro-Cop (PRIDE: Total Elimination, 25 April, 2004) in round one of their first fight: The opportunity was there, he threw the punch, and he got the win. So you've got to be ready when the opportunity presents itself in stand-up or on the ground."
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