· On The Spot ~ Elijah Harshbarger

Coming off what many consider the "Fight of the Night" victory over James Brasco at last weekend's World Extreme Fighting event in Kissimee, Fla., Elijah Harshbarger took time out of his increasingly busy schedule to answer questions with MMA Spot's Chris Dennison. A student-turned-colleague of decorated Brazillian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts trainer, Master Lloyd Irvin, Harshbarger heads his own Irvin affiliate gym, Gold Medal Grappling in Woodbridge, Va. Fresh out of the cage and back to preparing his own team of fighters, the rising welterweight spoke about his big win, steroid allegations, and what it is like to run his own gym—as well as explaining what exactly "Ameri-jitsu" is.

Chris Dennison: Congratulations on your victory this past weekend, via third round verbal submission, over James Brasco at the World Extreme Fighting event. What was your game plan going in and do you think you were able to implement it effectively?

Elijah Harshbarger: My game plan was to keep the pressure coming and to overwhelm him. I like to set the pace. I would say the game plan worked great.

Dennison: In the fight it looked like Brasco hit you with a solid leg kick that had you limping. Were you affected by that and how did it affect you the rest of the fight?

Harshbarger: The leg kick actual inflamed my perennial nerve causing a funny bone effect down my leg. The whole leg and foot was numb. I couldn't control my foot, so it kept folding up on me causing it to break. I also suffered several sprains over the foot and soft tissue damage. That's why the first round was a slower pace. By round two, it numbed up so I could come at him a little harder. I still could not control the foot, that's why i stumbled a few times.

Dennison: Do you think you had him hurt enough in the second round for the ref to stop the fight?

Harshbarger: He was definitely saved by the bell. I have know idea how the ref did not stop it.

Dennison: When you slipped out of his guillotine in the third round, did you feel the end of the fight was near?

Harshbarger: I passed his guard as he was pulling the guillotine. I was never in danger. I saw it in his eyes between the first and second round that he was frustrated and tired. The longer the fight went, I felt him getting weaker. As soon as I popped my head up from the choke, I saw him looking around for the ref, so I knew to start flurrying instead of worrying about passing the half guard.

Dennison: After your fight, Brasco accused you of being on steroids. What do you feel about that?

Harshbarger: I think it's a shame he choose to take the low road like that. My ring name is "The Hero." Everything I stand for would be compromised if I used steroids. I believe in hard work and dedication. No steroid can take you as far as will power.

Dennison: How long did you train under Master Lloyd Irvin before opening your own gym?

Harshbarger: I trained under Master Lloyd on and off since I was 15, I'm 27 now. I opened GMG two-and-a-half years ago because I wanted my own place to raise fighters my way. We are an official Lloyd Irvin affiliate.

Dennison: What made you realize it was time to move on and open your own gym?

Harshbarger: I was just at that point in my life. From being a wrestler my whole life, and fighter, I know a lot of talented guys in the NOVA area and I new they trusted me and would train with me but did not have the time or money to go to Lloyd's. My style is different than his and I wanted make it a legit system.

Dennison: What is it like running your own gym and fight camp?

Harshbarger: I love it. All my guys are like family, I would do anything for the guys in my camp, and them for me. That's why we are so successful. The business struggles because we focus on MMA and not a lot people like to fight. But at this point in my life I would rather have the best MMA gym [rather] than the gym that makes the most money off powder-puff classes.

Dennison: Can you explain the pressures of being a head trainer?

Harshbarger: A lot of pressure. When my guys compete they are representing my name. That's why I make sure they are ready before I put them out there. If you see "Gold Medal Grappling" next to a fighter's bio you know he put in the time and effort to be a champion.

Dennison: What exactly is Ameri-Jitsu?

Harshbarger: My blend of wrestling, boxing, sambo and jiu-jitsu all mixed together Elijah style. I was tired of Brazil getting all the credit. American freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling is what elevated BJJ to were it is today, so I thought America deserved some credit.

Dennison: Can you tell us something about yourself that others might not know?

Harshbarger: I love my daughters more than anything in this world and everything I do is to make there life better. They are Lexi (7), and Zoey (11-months). Without them to balance me out, I would be a mess.

Dennison: You come from a wrestling background. How long did you wrestle and what do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

Harshbarger: I wrestled since the second grade, 1989. I won a lot of state and national freestyle and Greco titles in my life. My greatest accomplishment is now training with and even coaching some of the guys I grew up watching wrestle who inspired me like Johnny Curtis. It's weird when they ask me for advice and I have their picture hanging on my wall.

Dennison: Do you participate in any grappling tournaments? And if you do, which ones, and what is the best result you have had?

Harshbarger: I did a few, but the scoring system is screwed up and I train with better people than I see in the meets, so I just save my money.

Dennison: What is your greatest accomplishment in MMA up to this point?

Harshbarger: Beating Brasco and coaching successful guys like Brian van Hoven and Kris McCray

Dennison: What, ultimately, do you want to accomplish in MMA?

Harshbarger: Welterweight champ of the world.

Dennison: Who would you like to fight next and why?

Harshbarger: I really want to fight John Fitch. I think he is the best welterweight out there, but I will take anyone of importance. I definitely want to fight in the UFC.

Dennison: How long have you been training and what weight classes have you fought at?

Harshbarger: I have been doing MMA since 1999. I have fought at 155, 185, and 170 [pounds].

Dennison: Have you been approached by one of the larger MMA organizations about the possibly fighting for them?

Harshbarger: Not yet, but I hope soon. That's my goal.

Dennison: How does it feel when all your hard work leading up to a fight pays off in a victory? And how does it feel when one of the guys from your gym is successful?

Harshbarger: I am just as happy when my guys win as when I win. Getting your hand raised is what it is all about. Growing up wrestling you know there is no big paydays in your future. You work your ass off to be the best just to stand there for a few moments with your hand raised. It's a feeling you can't describe.

Dennison: All of your victories have been via submission. Is that part of the game plan or do you just take what your opponents give you?

Harshbarger: I bring the pressure so people want to quit. When someone's spirit is broken they usually give up the submission to get out of the fight.

Dennison: Have you ever tried out for, or considered trying out for "The Ultimate Fighter?"

Harshbarger: I tried out with my student and friend Kris McCray. We both made it through tryouts and met with Spike producers. He eventually got on the show and made it to the finale. I think they are trying out welterweights next, so hopefully I get in this time—or just a call from Joe Silva going right to big show would be better.

Dennison: Are there any up-and-coming fighters at Gold Medal Grappling that we should be on the look out for?

Harshbarger: Brian van Hoven, Brian Robey, and Matt Stemmler—who just won the Army Combatives national tournament. And a slew of others. We will be one of the top MMA gyms soon.

Dennison: Many fighters have superstitions and pre-fight rituals, what are some of yours?

Harshbarger: Say my prayers, take my vitamins, and train hard.

Dennison: If you were not fighting, what would you be doing for a career?

Harshbarger: I would like to own an Italian restaurant. Family style with the big portions.

Dennison: If someone wishes to come train with you at Gold Medal Grappling, how can they contact you and what kind of classes do you offer?

Harshbarger: The website www.GoldMedalGrappling.com has all the info. We have classes that break down all the different areas of MMA, from grappling, wrestling, NHB boxing and even cardio.

Dennison: Are their any sponsors or teammates you would like to thank?

Harshbarger: Feared Warrior is my only sponsor and they are awesome. They help me with whatever I need to be a better fighter. All my teammates help me prepare so I don't wanna single out anybody and leave someone out.