Every so often, FightHype.com gets the chance to catch up with someone who we believe has the potential to become the next big thing in Mixed Martial Arts. Today we feature Denny Prokopos. At 19 years old, Denny is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and became the California State Pankration Champion under the tutelage of Eddie Bravo. A teammate of Gilbert Melendez and Jake Shields, he recently took first place at the "No Gi Jiu-Jitsu World Championships". Check out what he had to say about his future plans as he looks forward to making his MMA debut in 2008.
TN: First let me say congratulations on winning the "No Gi Jiu-Jitsu World Championships" this month. How are you doing?
DP: I am doing well. I feel very happy.
TN: Give our readers some background on yourself and how you got into MMA.
DP: I started training in jiu-jitsu when I was 12 and I started wrestling when I was 14. Basically, ever since I started training, I haven't stopped except for when I had to take time off for injuries. I love it man.
TN: Who do you train under now?
DP: I train under Eddie Bravo. I love him. He is the man, but I live in San Francisco where I train with Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez and Darren Uyenoyama.
TN: I've seen Eddie Bravo with you at your tournaments. How did you two hook up and how much has he influenced your style?
DP: Well, I meet Eddie when I was 14 at a jiu-jitsu tournament. Then, a few months later, I went and I trained with him and was taking private lessons from him until I was 16. Then, one of my former trainers tried to beat me up. I got out safe, gave him the Heisman and the stiff arm, called Eddie a few hours later and told him I wanted to join his team and wave the 10th Planet flag from San Francisco. Then, a few months later, I went back to Hollywood, trained with him and got my purple. Fast forward about three years later and now I'm his first world champion...and the rest, as they say, is history.
TN: When will we see you make the transition to professional MMA?
DP: I was already supposed to have made my MMA debut back in October, but I got staph and had to pull out. But for sure I'm going to fight in 2008 and begin to make some waves.
TN: You train with some great guys like Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez. How is the atmosphere at the gym?
DP: The atmosphere is awesome, I love it, and there are really high vibes in the gym. It's great to watch Jake and Gilbert train. Sometimes, when I watch them train, I question whether I'm training hard enough. I don't think I have met anyone tougher than those two. They have helped me a lot and it is an honor to be able to train with them on a daily basis.
TN: Anything you would like to say to our readers?
DP: I got a few people I want to thank then I'm gonna drop some knowledge. I would like to thank everyone that helped me train from 10th Planet, Fairtex, and Fight and Fitness. I also want to thank Dr. Peter Goldman. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be able to do what I love. Check him out at goldmanhealing.com. I would like to thank Melee Fight Gear. Check them out at meleefightgear.com. And for all the young guys out there that dream about fighting and winning world titles, don't ever let anyone tell you that it can't be done because belief in yourself plus confidence equals toughness; then you add some smarts and a good work ethic and it can be done. Peace out.