The Master and the Budding Superstar Protege
Richie Redman.
One can easily tell he is a typical American jock but the modest 25-year old mixed martial arts enthusiast is not entirely all about displaying the male braggadocio. After all, he has a Filipino blood, (his mother is from Capiz), and it played a great part for creating a balance for his unassuming nature. A sportsman by heart, he knew fully well the distinction of the importance of sports and that it can work as a self advantage if used for other purposes aside from the common good. Particularly in the kind of sport he is notably engaged in at the moment- the often perceived as a violent and brutal match that its birth in Iloilo City created much anticipation and excitement to the mixed martial arts fight league aficionados. He is a combatant; he is dedicated to all the disciplines of the game, he is Richie "The Cook" Redman.
Du-Chua: You played in the main event and won the first ever mixed martial arts competition of the Pinoy fight league here in Iloilo City, what are the preparations that you did before the match?
Gilton Solis.
Redman: Back in the states, I played several years of football, track and field, wrestling, basketball, and boxing respectively and the formulas are almost alike. Three months before the competition I was already physically conditioned. We trained hard without distractions. I made sure I had 8 to 10 hours of sleep, and that I was also eating healthy. No junk foods, no sodas, no carbs and more greens, no drinking and smoking. A day before the fight, I "zoned out" alone in my room. That's what they usually call for the need of complete isolation as part of the fighter's mental preparation.
Du-Chua: Why are you focused now on mixed martial arts among other sports?
Redman: It's the feel of doing something out of the ordinary, out of the norm. There is something different in it each day. For me there is nothing better than mixed martial arts because you get to be open-minded of all its skills and disciplines and with it, you can always protect yourself. It teaches you to have good work ethics. I fight hard but I don't really want to be the bad guy so I fight clean. No dirty tactics. It is not always about fighting but showing mercy as well. Also, the sport is just catching on here in Iloilo City and I want to be a part of it.
Du-Chua: With over a few years of training and competing in the field of fighting how have the experiences helped you?
With the MMA enthusiasts.
Redman: I am an only child, and because of the lack of siblings, the fellowship I have with the guys from my team is a form of brotherhood for me. They are really good guys. I have learned about competitiveness but also to not be arrogant. During the fight, I even showed mercy for my opponent, although I have been poked in the eye several times and at one point he acted like I kicked him in the groin when in fact I just kneed him on the side. I was also unimpressed by my performance because I lost a couple of pounds two days before the game, and I felt weak. Competitions are always a learning experience.
Du-Chua: How do you create a balance between fighting and living a normal life? What other activities are you into?
Redman: After a competition I allow myself to binge on food - pizza, ice cream, etc. I cook. (Coach Check then adds that he is a very good cook, hence the moniker.) I read books, I listen to music. I work as an IT representative.
Du-Chua: Your message to your fans and to the Ilonggos who supported the first MMA here in Iloilo ?
Redman: To those who are interested in the sport we in the team are more than happy to train them. In the future, I hope to open a gym especially catering to the needs of mixed martial arts. I love the ilonggos and I thank them for their continued support. I will do my best to fight for Iloilo . To all of you, maraming, maraming salamat! Without you, it wouldn't be worth it.
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Now it is true when they say, a player's victory is not entirely his own. There is always somebody behind the glory. He is the voice, the conscience, the dictator, the master. He is there behind to shadow his protégés'. He served as the matchmaker in the first mma event in the city and it proved to be something all the fanatics of the sport are looking forward to happening again soon. The coach of the team Tumbatsu and an MMA fighter himself, he is Gilton "Coach Check" Solis.
Du-Chua: What is the history of the team Tumbatsu?
Solis: It started about 7 years ago as a joke with my three brothers. We were watching a mixed martial arts battle on television and that's where the idea of building a group of fighting enthusiasts came from. My father was a part of the Iloilo team in judo. So we were already a fan of the game then. Right that moment, we were thinking of naming the group "Katumbal", short for kagat, tumba, balbal, in jest. But we eventually settled for Tumbatsu, a fusion of the words tumba and bombatsu. Then it just happened. Among our first members were Vincent Tolosa and our second cousin Jay-R. Now I have 8 fighters, including Richie, and one is in Korea .
Du-Chua: How did you become a credible coach?
Solis: I first enrolled myself in a mixed martial arts school here in Iloilo but I left shortly after an uncalled for attack during training. I felt that I was not really learning anything and it was only a waste of my time and money. Then a friend bought me an instructive book about the sport and there I have learned about the disciplines and skills of jujitsu, wrestling, and judo among others. Then I took seminars on leadership training and skills and it helped me a lot on mind setting. I am a mixed martial arts fighter myself so I know what my fighter needs. But it is not enough, I have my flaws. I am not perfect, to the think that at 31, I am the youngest mma coach in the city but I dream to be the greatest coach.
Du-Chua: What kind of disciplines do you impose on your fighters? Are you the stringent type?
Solis: First is the importance of healthy living habits. No drinking and smoking especially no drugs as it can impede their performances with or without a fight. My fighters do it even without being told. They are dedicated and passionate about mma so there are not much disciplinary actions to do on my part. Being a coach is also physically draining because I train with them.
Du-Chua: You have an upcoming fight in Bacolod on the 18th. How is it being a fighter instead of being a coach? What are your own preparations?
Solis: I am mentally prepared but physically, not. I had a back injury due to too much training from last week's fight. I sparred with my fighters, and practiced falling drills so it's a personal training for me as well. And now I am physically drained. (laughs). As a fighter of mma, it is more of a personal challenge than a battle. You have to have the mindset to conquer anything.
Du-Chua: What can you say about the MMA scene here in Iloilo ?
Solis: Make results and not just talk. I noticed there are many fighters here who just use it for other purposes. "Indi mag-maoy kung mag-inom then magita away". We want to start an Ilonggo distinction through the sport. We plan to make a new a skill and grappling system in the name of Tumbatsu and make it known internationally. So I ask you to support our fighters, not only ours but from other teams as well. Try to know them to be able for you to understand the things that they are going through. They are not getting much financially but they do it for the love of the sport and in the name of Iloilo so let's give them what they deserve. These guys can be the future superstars of MMA.
Du-Chua: I certainly hope that event won't be the last. Do you have any last words?
Solis: I make results. Let us all make results.