MMA Worldwide

Tiki Ghosn: I respect the fans

Posted by MMA Worldwide on the 3 September 2009 | No Comments

Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Tiki Ghosn when I was in Seattle at “Rumble on the Ridge”, an MMA event held by Punch Drunk Promotions.  Tiki was in attendance with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, supporting our troops in a fundraiser of sorts.

 

As I walked into the venue, I noticed the Jackson entourage beside me. Joe DeRobbio, the promoter immediately introduced me to Jackson, passing Ghosn by.  I stopped Tiki and introduced myself.  Seeming surprised that I had done so, his steely expression softened into a welcoming smile. Tiki could be characterized as one of the old guard of MMA athletes.  His first pro fight was in 1998 against Genki Sudo in a promotion called “Extreme Shoot”; Tiki defeated Sudo by unanimous decision.  Ghosn would go on competing in all of the major promotions of that time period (KOTC, UFC, WEC, Superbrawl).  Ghosn engaged with the best that they could throw at him.  He fought American Kickboxing Academy’s coach and promoter “Crazy” Bob Cook in UFC 24, Sean Sherk in UFC 30, Kit Cope in World Fighting Alliance #2, Robbie Lawler in UFC 40, Ron Jhun in Superbrawl 31 and Chris Lytle in UFC 47.

 

Ghosn can be seen nowadays running a successful gym in Huntington Beach in California where he was born.  Tiki’s gym, the Huntington Beach Ultimate Training Center (HBUTC) is extremely successful and allows him to work closely with Quinton Jackson and his camp as well as making a career comeback.

 

He currently holds an MMA record of 11-7 coming off back to back wins against Luke Stewart in March of 2008 in Strikeforce and Brian Warren in the “Call to Arms” promotion of May 2009.  I spoke with him by phone where he was at HBUTC with Ryan Loco in the background providing atmosphere effects.

 

MMA WorldWide: Thanks for talking with me Tiki, how are things going?

 

Tiki Ghosn: It’s real good here.  We just got back from Seattle last night.  We had a great time there and raised a ton of money for the troops.

 

MWW: How’s your gym doing?

 

TG: Not too shabby.  It’s busy.  We’ve got great instructors in Rob McCullough, myself, Zach Light as well as a great group of others.  We’ve got about 650 students so it’s cool.

 

MWW: When I spoke with you in Seattle, you said you were pleased with your performance in the MMA Agents Golf Tournament.

 

TG: Yes I was.  I was just happy that we kicked Tito Ortiz’s ass.  Ryan worked with me for about an hour the day before on my drives.

 

MWW: Ryan Loco was giving you golfing instructions?

 

TG: Yeah, he’s pretty damn good; fit’s into his whole “Loco Lifestyle” thing.  He’s around here somewhere trying to hook up with one of my Asian gym members.  Anyway, we just went to the driving range for like an hour and the next day I was crushing the ball.  I finally figured out I don’t have to kill the ball; I just gotta kiss it with the club.  We beat Tito’s ass and beat his ass good.  I wouldn’t mind taking it up on a regular basis.

 

MWW: Sounds like you like to have fun out and about.

 

TG: Absolutely.  That’s what it’s all about; having fun and meeting interesting people.

 

MWW: How did you make out with that blonde in the corner booth at “The Ridge” in Seattle?

 

TG: (Laughs) you saw that?

 

MWW: Yes I did, out of the corner of my eye.

 

TG: Geez Brett, you don’t miss a thing do ya?  I thought I was staying under the radar with that one.  Anyway, she’s a good kid; she has great feet.  That’s what I look at.  If a girl has nice feet that tells me she’s probably keeping everything else pretty clean (laughing).

 

MWW: That would stand to reason.  How is the climate being with “Rampage” a great deal of time?

 

TG: It’s pretty crazy.  I like it.  It’s been pretty good and we have some good stories to reflect on.  Pretty soon, he’s going to be going to the Wolfslair in London, England to start training camp for his fight with Rashad Evans.  I think right now, he’s just letting some steam off before he has to dial it in.

 

MWW: Speaking of the craziness of things right now, I have to ask you what your thoughts are on some of the fan comments.  Many of them said you seemed generally interested in meeting them.

 

TG: I figure it this way, if a person can gather the courage to come up and ask me for an autograph or a picture, they must want it pretty bad for a number of reasons.  I’m really humbled and honored by that.  I could never do it myself so it means a lot to me.  If it weren’t for the fans, we wouldn’t be anything.  There are some athletes that could just care less about it and that does a disservice to what we’re trying to represent and project.  I like people.  I like talking to them and finding things out about them they’re willing to share with me.  Honestly I was surprised when you came up to me, knowing who I was.

 

MWW: You’ve been around a long time and have contributed to the sport and building it.  What’s on the horizon for you currently?

TG: Nothing right now in the way of fights.  I’ve come off a couple of really good wins for me personally.  They were just both fights where I put it all out there and it got me the “w”.  I was really happy with my performances in both.  I’m hoping to sign a contract soon and I’m pretty confident that you’ll see me back in the UFC.

 

MWW: I’m looking forward to it.  About being on the Ultimate Fighter 10 shoot; who are the winners?

 

TG: If you really want to know, I’ll tell you.  Do you want to know?

 

MWW:  Sure, who is it?

 

TG: Well, it was pretty impressive and the guys who won were (phone connection lost and restored after 3 seconds).  Yeah, it was great man.  You never would have guessed it.

 

MWW: That’s just great Tiki.  I’m still guessing.

 

TG: (Ryan Loco and Tiki are laughing uncontrollably).  Sorry bro’, bad connection.

 

MWW: Thanks a lot guys for talking to me.  It’s been a real pleasure.

 

TG: Sure man, no problem.  Take care (laughing).