· On The Spot ~ Brian Van Hoven

· Article author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Posted on 07/31 at 09:54 AM

Coming off a devastating knockout win over Vinnie Samero at July's World Extreme Fighting show in Kissimmee, Fla., Brian Van Hoven recently took time out of his busy schedule to answer questions with MMA Spot's Chris Dennison. A former U.S. Marine, devoted family man and training partner, Van Hoven trains with the likes of Kris McCray of "The Ultimate Fighter Season 11," Elijah Harshbarger and many other up-and-coming fighters making names for themselves out of Gold Medal Grappling in Woodbridge, Va.

Van Hoven, a rising force in the lightweight division, spoke about his recent knockout victory, how his time in the Marines prepared him for his fighting career and his future aspirations in the sport of MMA.

Chris Dennison: How does it feel to get a victory following the first loss of your career?

Brian Van Hoven: It is never easy to swallow defeat, but as I always say if does happen it's how you come back from defeat that makes a true champion. I felt very humble, happy and relieved at the same time. It was just an off night when I lost.

Dennison: What was your game plan for your fight against Vinnie Samero?

Van Hoven: There was really no game plan other than to be the aggressor, let my hands go and set a pace to break my opponents spirit. That is always our motto at Gold Medal Grappling. We were both wrestlers, but I also wanted to show that I can also stand up if needed.

Dennison: How does it feel when all your preparation pays off?

Van Hoven: It is so gratifying. We, as fighters, sacrifice so much and a lot of fighters are married and have kids you're away [from] all the time preparing for your fight. So in the end we must prove to our families it is worth all the sacrifice. A victory means everything.

Dennison: What was going through your mind right before you landed the fight ending left? And what did you do to set up the punch?

Van Hoven: Honestly, right before I landed the punch I felt the fight was going to end. I told everyone in my gym that one of us was getting knocked out and it was not going to be me. I kept using leg kicks to set up everything, as I kicked he would drop his hands and try to catch my leg—using my jab and circling around him opened the door for the punch.

Dennison: You fought Mike Lee back in January, who defeated Justin Moore via head kick knock out at the same event you defeated Vinnie Samero. Can you explain your strategy for that fight and how you were able to pull off the submission against a BJJ black belt?

Van Hoven: Mike Lee is a great fighter and I give him much respect. When I got the call from Jamie Levine that I would be fighting Mike, I thought 'what did I get myself into?' But as fighters, if you want to be the best you have to fight the best. My trainer/manager Elijah said no at first, but later decided I had everything to gain by taken this fight—not only to mention that I would be fighting for a great promotion as well. At the time Mike was 20-7 and I was 2-0. At Gold Medal Grappling we train like animals so I knew there was nothing he could do that I hadn't already seen. I knew that my wrestling would be the deciding factor, so I really felt that's what helped me prevail. Getting a win over someone with the skills of Mike was indescribable.

Dennison: Tell me a little bit about yourself. What do you want people to know about you, that they might not know?

Van Hoven: I am a former Marine. I have a wife Kimberly and two sons Chase and Chance. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints.

Dennison: Do you feel your time in the Marines prepared you for a life of fighting? And why did you decide to get out since you had already served 10 years?

Van Hoven: I feel in some ways it helped, with the discipline being the biggest part. It was a hard decision, but I was at the halfway mark and I needed to make the choice to either stay in or get out. I wanted to settle down and an get married and live somewhere for a while without having to also worry about moving. It always seems that God also has a plan for you.

Dennison: When did you know you wanted to fight for a living?

Van Hoven: I won my first amateur fight by knockout and after that I new this was part of my calling. After getting out of the Marines, I took six years off of doing nothing. I trained for two months for the fight and was able to pull off a great win. It was just awesome. I still work a full time job in the day and train in the evening.

Dennison: Did you ever win any championships in your wrestling career?

Van Hoven: I was a two time runner up in high school, and went to state all four years. My career record in high school was 117-14. On the international level I won some great tournaments as well, and placed in the top three at very high level tournaments throughout the world. I won the Armed Forces Championships a couple times and qualified for the Olympic trials which I placed sixth in Greco-Roman.

Dennison: What do you do to supplement your income as you train for your fights?

Van Hoven: I am a project manager during the day.

Dennison: How long do you typically train for a fight?

Van Hoven: Generally I like to have between six to eight weeks to train before a fight.

Dennison: What do you consider the strongest aspect of your game? And the area you would like to improve?

Van Hoven: Wrestling is by far my strongest. I would love to continue to improve my stand-up.

Dennison: Who would you like to fight next and do you plan to fight in the next WEF event?

Van Hoven: I really haven't thought of who I would like to fight next. As of now I will be fighting for Shine Fights in September at Patriot Center in Virginia. At this point I am definitely planning on fighting for WEF on the next card.

Dennison: Many fighters have superstitions and pre-fight rituals. If you have any, what are yours?

Van Hoven: No, I really do not have any superstitions or pre-fight rituals other than pray before I fight. I really pray for the welfare of all the fighters to make sure no one gets seriously injured and of course that God gives me the strength to come out victorious.

Dennison: Have you been approached by the major organizations about any possible fights?

Van Hoven: Not at this time.

Dennison: If you could fight anyone, who would it be and why?

Van Hoven: BJ Penn because he is the best fighter in the world when he actually trains. He is also my favorite fighter.

Dennison: What is the greatest moment in your career up to this point?

Van Hoven: This most recent fight in the WEF, because I was coming off a tough loss and I needed to get back on the winning side. This win was huge because of the loss, and coming to someone's hometown and having the crowd against you, and fighting someone of the caliber of Vinnie. There was a lot of pressure on me to win this fight because I could not a afford to have another setback. It was by far the best moment of my career and to win by the knock out made it that much sweeter.

Dennison: Speaking of wins, what is a more gratifying way to finish a fight? A knockout or a submission?

Van Hoven: My thoughts are a win is a win; submissions are great but a knockout is the greatest.

Dennison: Have you ever tried out for or considered trying out for “The Ultimate Fighter”?

Van Hoven: Yes, I tried out in March for the TUF season that is recording now. I made it through everything but unfortunately just did not get the final call. I plan on trying out again or hopefully will just get a call out of know where from one of the major organizations.

Dennison: What was it like to see your teammate, Kris McCray, fight in the main event of a UFC card? And how do you believe his success has helped with the exposure for your team?

Van Hoven: It was great to see Kris make it to the finale. In Virginia we're pretty well known, but I believe his success has helped us get some additional exposure from being on TV.

Dennison: Are there any fighters at your gym that we should be on the look out for?

Van Hoven: We have a lot of tough amateurs that are coming through the ranks: Dirk Hurrin, Matt Stemler, Bryan Robey, Samir Farid, Steven Stotler, Moo Ali and Thomas Lewelen. On the professional side: Elijah Harsbarger, Mark Flavin and Elder Ramos. But, I would like to say that everyone—whether they fight or not—in our gym needs to be watched because we all help each other and push one another every day in the gym. So they all deserve credit for their part; remember one thing, it's family when you come to Gold Medal Grappling.

Dennison: What is the ultimate goal you hope to obtain in your fighting career?

Van Hoven: Just do the best that I can. I would love nothing more than to make it to one of the big shows, and also get Gold Medal Grappling noticed by everyone. I also want to help prepare the future fighters of our gym.

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

Van Hoven: I would still be doing what I do now, working as a project manager, being a husband and father.

Dennison: How many kids do you have, and how would you feel about them fighting for a living?

Van Hoven: I have two boys, and I would not have a problem being fighters if they chose that route.

Dennison: Does anyone else in your family fight for a living?

Van Hoven: No, I am the only one.

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

Van Hoven: I would like the thank all my sponsors: Feared Warrior, Ranger Up, Disbell Electric, West Star Mortgage, ADS and Barzey Enterprises. First, my wife and boys for all the support they give me; they sacrifice so much. The training partners: Elijah Harsbarger, Donald Scott, Chris Dugan, Chris Barker, Matt Stemler, Joel Hoffman, Eric Vallanueva , Sammir, Farid, Dirk Hurrin, Ronald Nunemaker, Mark Flavin, Humair Mughal, Jeremy Carper, Mark Kuhnke, Steven Stotler, Andy Eichelberger, Moo Ali, Thomas Lewelin and Elder Ramos. If I missed anyone I am truly sorry. Again, I would like to personally thank everyone at Gold Medal Grappling that has help me prepare for my fights and for believing in me.