For Love of the Game – Pre-Fight Interview with BVMMA Coach David McClung

COLLEGE STATION, TX, July 17, 2011 – This Friday night’s Legacy Fighting Championship 7 card features many interesting fights. From seasoned veterans like Carlo Prater and Cameron Dollar to hungry young lions like Justin Reiswerg and Marc Ramirez, there are many reasons to tune in to this HDNet televised card.

However, for the local audience that will be in attendance at Houston’s Arena Theater, one of the more interesting matchups guaranteed to draw cheers from the crowd isn’t even on the main card.

Make no mistake about it, the fight between David McClung of College Station’s BVMMA and Tony Orozco of Houston’sSilverback Fight Club isn’t about which of the two can get into the UFC first.  In fact, these two are more likely to end up coaching a potential superstar than become one themselves.

But they’re stepping in there anyways. and they’re going in there with the intention of swinging for the fences and putting on a slobberknocker for love of the game. All heart. All courage. No illusions.

Sounds like all the makings of an exciting fight.

We recently talked to BVMMA’s David McClung to get his thoughts on this fun matchup.

Thanks for talking to us, Dave. Before we talk about your fight at Legacy FC 7 against Tony Orozco, I want to ask you about BVMMA. Can you tell us some history on your gym?

I started the gym nearly 12 years ago.  We were a blended gym of traditional martial artists and more modern mixed approaches.  Steve Shoemake was responsible for bringing Jiu Jitsu into the mix, and with wrestling and traditional striking to draw from; we developed a pretty strong program over the years.  Bubba Bush came on as a partner and coach last year, he had been training with us for a while, and brings a new dimension to the wrestling side of things, and it has been great to have him aboard.

Lately, we’ve seen more and more fighters coming out of College Station, like top middleweight Bubba Bush. Should we expect this trend to continue? Who are some of your other guys to watch out for?

There are absolutely more guys up and coming.  Daniel Everitt just debuted, and Tony Williams in a Louisiana fight.  We have a lot of guys developing in the background.  Look out for Ellis Boyd, Jayson Pilosi, Matt Steward, and a few other guys I want to keep under wraps til we turn ’em loose.   BVMMA is a fighters’ gym.  We are blessed right now to have some very talented athletes coming into their own in the gym.

Can you share a little bit about your own martial arts background for our readers? Why did you originally decide to become a fighter?

Well, as unromantic as it sounds, I have done combat sports most of my life because I am near sighted.  It helps to do sports where my opponent is right in front of me.  I wrestled in school, and then trained some boxing while I was in the Navy.  I hold a 4th degree black belt in Karate, studied Wing Chun one on one with an amazing instructor for 4 years (we still chat, what a great guy) and got involved studying Jiu Jitsu 12 years ago.  I love fighting.  It is probably the most pure thing I have ever experienced.  Two men, one goal, one winner.

How about coaching – why did you decide to go in that direction and how has it impacted your life?

I was encouraged by my Karate instructor to teach.  Once I got into it, I found it to be incredibly rewarding.  I get to help people every day.  I get to open doors for them and watch them grow as people.   Coaching fighters was the next step.

What do you do when you’re not in the gym?

Huh? Just kidding.  I am an illustrator and graphic designer.  The gym takes up more of my work time than anything these days, but I still do a few other things.  I am a single dad raising two kids as well.  They are the center of my life and everything I do from morning to night is to try to better their lives.

This fight coming up with Silverback Fight Club’s Tony Orozco at Legacy FC 7 this Friday – why did you take it and what does the fight mean to you?

I took the fight for a few reasons.  One, I just love fighting.  A lot of fighters are scared leading up to their fights.  Not me, I’m pumped.  There are only a few of us in the world that get to experience that feeling, standing toe-to-toe with another guy in front of a few thousand people.  It truly is amazing.  Second, Tony, like myself, is an older fighter.  Both of us love the sport, and there may not be many fights left for either one of us.  I want him to be able to fight while he wants to, and I feel honored to be part of that for him.  I consider Tony a good friend, and a great coach.  It will be a fun matchup.

What’s your opinion of ‘Silverback Tony’ as a fighter? Anything you need to watch out for in the cage against him?

Have you seen Tony?  He is a pile of muscle.  He moves well too.  I watched him hit a few nice transitions in his last fight.  The result may not have been what he wanted, but he looked pretty good in that fight, so I’m going in pretty wary.

How should fans expect this fight to go? Any last words for your opponent?

I hope we get into the later rounds.  I’ve worked my cardio pretty hard, and want to have a chance to show that.   Words for Tony? “Thanks, man.  It’ll be a great ride.”

What’s next for you after this? Another fight? Retirement? Any other plans?

I claim to be retiring.  Everybody who knows me says they doubt it.  I’m keeping my mind open.  I’m healthy and feeling good right now.  I want to hit some more grappling events, and if a good fight presents itself, I would probably go ahead and take it.

Anybody you want to thank or acknowledge before the fight?

First, I want to thank Mick and Andrea Maynard.  They make this possible for all of us.  Special thanks also go out to Steve, Bubba, Matt, Britton, Daniel, and Kathy.  Cellucor Sports Nutrition has also been a huge help with this fight camp.  They have worked with me to get me what I need to keep my body healthy and running well.

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