Time to get to know MMA Fighter and active duty Army Sergeant Paul Riley a little bit better. I had the opportunity to talk to him, about, life, love, and of course fighting, and I was not disappointed. Paul is currently deployed in Afghanistan, his 4th Combat deployment, and he has some big plans coming up for when he returns home. I’d be watching it if you end up fighting with this guy when he returns. Trust me when I say, he’s just ITCHING for a good fight. If you want, you can become a fan on Paul Riley’s facebook fan page for more interviews and updates. By the way, this is my FIRST interview ever, so… hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it!
MmaAddictive: Tell me a bit about you as a person, outside of mma. We know you are in the army, and are currently deployed. How are you filling up what down time you have?
Paul Riley: I’m a pretty fun guy outside of the cage I think. I’m naturally cocky but I put a fun jokester spin on it so no matter how much I get under your skin people can never get enough of me! Some call it cocky, some call it crazy…I just call it the opposite of boring! Over here I’ve just been working out a lot during my down time. I’ve been lifting and running a lot…if I’m feeling sluggish I’ll run 4 miles, its usually 6 per day though. It took me a little longer to acclimate to the altitude and the trip through all of the time zones but once I was on track with that I started throwin in some boxing workouts and some rolling. I’m gonna be in good shape if nothing else after this deployment.
Mma: Yes, sir, deployments are definitely good times to get in shape.
Tell me some about your family. I know you are married to a great wife, and have an adorable son…
PR: My wife is awesome! I have put her through a lot and she is still there for me. Even after a divorce. We reconnected and now we are re-married. She has stood beside me through 4 combat deployments and is doing it for my 5th one right now. I had just started training seriously in MMA when we separated a few years ago so now that I’m fully committed to it and we are re-married it is a new chapter for us and she is getting used to it. I think she like it deep down.
My son Jordan is the MAN!!! He is only 5 and is already training in MMA at Stand Alone MMA’s Little Spartan Program in Chico California. He is a flirt already, has a temper, and an appetite just like mine. I love him more then anything.
Mma: Sounds like you have a whole lot of support from them, and sounds like you’re a great daddy. Happy Father’s Day, by the way!
What are your plans for when you come back from Afghanland?
PR: When I get back I’ll be training at SSF for 6-8 months along with Rob Raddford and others up around the Cincinnati area. Tuff-N-Uff out of Vegas has offered me fights so I’m definately going to jump on that opportunity for my last few ammy fights. Then I’m moving back to California, training my ass off at some top camps, and timing it right with my manager, sponsors, and family for my Pro Debut!
Mma: So, basically, the other fighters out there who may end up fighting you should be concerned!
What’s your training background? Who has trained you and where? What was it like training with the Diaz brothers?
PR: I started boxing at 12 on and off. Then when I got out of the military the first time I met Pro Fighter Shaun Beckett and started learning BJJ with him and he showed me how to put it together with my boxing background. He is the one that opened the door with Nick Diaz. I was lucky enough early on to be introduced to the training of the sport by top guys like that. Once I came back in the military I started training at SSF Submission Acadamy in Clarksville TN under Ron Dayley. He has put together the best gym in the area hands down. He has a wealth of knowledge and is one of the best guys I’ve met. Now that I’ve signed with Fighters Guard Management out of Cincinnati I’m still going to be training at SSF but now I have the opportunity to compliment my training with Rob Raddford who is Rich Franklins boxing coach. So I’m really looking forward to getting back to the states training wise.
Mma: Sounds like great training… again, more reasons for the fighters that are gonna face you to be worried.
What inspires you? What gives you your reasons to wake up every day?
PR: I have 2 inspirations. The main one is my son, hands down! The other is all the people that hurt me as a kid and who have ever doubted me. I get boiling hot with anger sometimes when I reflect back on the things I was put through as a kid :abuse, abandonment, you name it. Fighting is my therapy for it all. I can block my past out and make the people from my past hang there head in shame by watching me succeed, and if they don’t want to watch me succeed and win then they can live and run like the cowards they are. All of this brings me back to my main inspiration though and that’s my son. I may never get rich or be a household name like some of the top guys in the UFC but he will grow up without the pain and hurt that I had to grow up with and he’ll see me as a parent that was always there for him no matter what and he will see the sacrafice and determination it takes to be not only a fighter but most importantly a real man, husband, and father. Everything I do is to keep him away from being hurt like I was and to mold him into a better man then I am.
Mma: Again, sounds like you are a great dad, Paul. He’s lucky to have a role model like you…
Ok, I’m gonna lighten things up a bit, what song would describe you as a person?
PR: Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake…LOL!
Mma: Just might be true Paul… you just might put ACU’s in style!
What quote is your defining quote?
PR: Honey is only sweet when you are man enough to chew Bees!!!!
Mma: HA! That was a good quote… never heard that one before, makes sense…
Who in the world would you want to meet if you could? Could be someone dead or still living?
PR: Usama Bin Laden so I can cut his throat with a dull rusty knife and make the last thing that that coward sees is my beautiful smiling face as he bleeds out…slowly I hope! Again some people will call that crazy, I call it giving him what he deserves!
Mma: I’d have to agree with you there. He deserves every bit of anything we’re gonna give him when we catch him. Last but not least…
Tell me your best joke!!! Make me laugh. Dare ya!
PR: Paul-Knock Knock!
Bobbi- Who’s there?
Paul-Tuna!
Bobbi-Tuna who?
Paul-You can Tuna Piano but you Cant Tune a Fish!
I know cheesy but I stole it from Rocky Balboa..lol
Mma: Love it!!! Haha! Sounds like you are a standup dad, and a standup man… Cant wait to see what you can do in your fights, Paul. Anybody you want to thank?
PR: I would like to thank Paramount Supplements for helping me out with all the stuff I need while I’m deployed, Intimidation Clothing, and my manager Scott Dryden with Fighters Guard Management…he is opening a lot of doors for me and we click together real well!
Mma: Thank you Paul! Thanks for giving me my first interview ever! You better take care of yourself over there, cause we are ALL gonna be itching to see your fights!
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Paul is more than a stand up man. He stands above most! I served with Paul during my time at HCS-5 as a special ops door gunner for the US Navy’s elite helicopter unit. He took me on my first flight in Baghdad in 2003 for my first taste of War. I can’t think of a better warrior I would want to go into battle with. He may be cocky, and believe me he is, but when you’re chewing sand.. you want the best man watching your 6 and Paul is definitally that man!! If there are any doubters out there about this man’s drive and hunger….. you better watch out because Paul will drive over you and eat the road kill. I’ve seen it too many times!! Stay safe brother and I will see you when you get home. Get Sum!!