James Brasco Interview

As rising star James Brasco prepares for his upcoming battle at the September 4 Shine Fights event, ATT vs The World event, MMA Spot’s Chris McClain had a chance to catch up with the budding grappling star. Brasco has parlayed a very successful grappling background into an MMA career. At 4-1, and looking to take on former NFLer Herbert ‘Whisper’ Goodman, he has his sites set on some high marks. Get to know to the Pablo Popovitch trained star as he rises quickly up the MMA ladder.

via mmaspot.net

Full Interview at MMA Spot

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(highlights - but really worth the full read)

MMA Spot: How much do you know about your opponent Herbert Goodman and how do you see the fight going?
Brasco:  I know he was an NFL player and obviously is a great athlete. I know he doesn’t have a wrestling background or much grappling experience outside MMA and throws hard. But when you're an athlete like him, you can compensate pretty well for any weaknesses. I am definitely not taking him lightly - I expect a war!
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MMA Spot: You have a really good background in wrestling, What motivated you to get into BJJ and ultimately MMA?
Brasco: I have always had an interest in styles versus styles type fights. I always felt the wrestler had the advantage due to our toughness and strength. I started doing BJJ to see what it was about, and to become a better street fighter if I ran into that situation. It was interesting to learn grappling from a different perspective. So I would enter tournaments when I lived In Pennsylvania and would do really well. Actually, my first grappling tournament was the Arnold Worlds in 2001. I entered the pro division and didn’t even know what a triangle was. I won my first match against some tough judo guy from Orlando, then I was winning against this brown belt and with a minute left he put me in a triangle. I went to pick him up to slam him and the referee told me not to slam him and I had to tap. I was sooo mad [laughs].
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MMA Spot: What is it like training with someone like Pablo Popovitch?
Brasco: It truly is amazing. He is so driven and focused. Also, sparring with him is interesting because just when you think you have a handle on him, he pulls a new technique out or finish. I always said he can beat you a hundred out of a hundred times and win a different way each time. He is a perfectionist and being around him can only make you better. Not just as a fighter, but as a person. He wants what is best for us, and lives his life very clean and structured. It has really straightened me out.