Interview with MMA Featherweight Donny Walker

Donny Walker, a member of Team GriffonRawl in Northeast Ohio, is fighting for the NAAFS Featherweight title in June 2010

Age – 30 | Height – 5’9” | Weight – 145 lbs. | Record – 13 wins, 7 losses

Nick Russell, Senior MMA Writer for ProFighting-fans.com, had some time recently to talk with one of the brightest featherweight prospects in the Midwest. Six years into a solid career, Donny "Eagle Eye" Walker has recently put together four consecutive victories while hoping to gain the attention of a major organization. A veteran of King of the Cage, IFBL, Gladiator FS, and other promotions, Walker is currently signed to fight for NAAFS but is ready for the next step in his development.

What is your athletic background? How did you get you start in mixed martial arts?

I played a lot of sports through high school. Football, basketball, wrestling, track; you name it and I played it. If Ledgemont (High School) offered it - I played it. I also started to do a little karate while in high school.

Donny Walker pictured with in NAAFS Featherweight belt while wearing the Donny "Eagle Eye" Walker signature t-shirt from Intimidation Clothing.

How has your career progressed from when you began mixed martial arts until now?

Well, I have fought in all kinds of places. I fought all through the United States, I fought in Canada, and I fought in Mexico but I’m really just trying to get my name out there and get recognized. I have put in the time and just looking for that break to get into one of the big shows to show what I can do.

You have been in fights with some notable fighters and fought in some well-known organizations, what accomplishments are you the most proud of?

Really, I’m just proud of being part of the GriffonRawl Team and being able to teach there. I have known Jason Dent for a long time and being able to work with him and becoming an instructor with him and the team is an accomplishment that I am very proud of.

How did you become involved with the GriffonRawl Team?

I was working muay-thai with Dan Rawlings for awhile. Then Jason, myself, and Mike Russo, another fighter on the team, started training Jiu-Jitsu with Craig Cramer, an instructor who is associated with Gracie jiu-jitsu. That is actually where we earned our blue belts. From there, we all began to work together and it just kind of formed from those relationships.

What is a typical day of training like for you when preparing for a fight?

I do a lot of private training sessions and I like to use some of the sessions for my training as well. When I’m getting close to a fight, Jason and others will take more time out to train and spar specifically with me, watch video, and get me prepared for my fight.

Daily, I like to use the mornings for free roll to get loose and work mostly on technique. Around noon, I work with weights and run on the treadmill for cardio. I also come back around night time and get another 2-3 hours of hard training in. I usually train like this for six days and use the one day off to give myself some time and let my body recover.

What are some of your methods as far as conditioning and diet that you utilize when training?

It’s pretty simple; I eat a clean and healthy diet. I intake a lot of water, eat small meals, and eat as often as I can. After that, I train as hard as I can with my regular routine until my fight comes around.

> Check out the MMA clothing & merchandise including brands like Affliction, TapouT and Intimidation MMA Clothing available online through ProFighting-fans.com!

You official record is listed at 13-7; however the bottom line is you have now compiled four straight victories. What is in the immediate future for your career?

I actually signed a three-fight deal with NAAFS for 2010 and just competed in the first round of the four man featherweight tournament. The tournament was between me, (Dustin) Kempf, Mike Nesto, and (Nick) Sorg. I defeated Kempf, and Nesto defeated Sorg (at NAAFS Caged Fury 9), so I'll face Mike Nesto for the title in June.

Has there been any specific discussion with some of the major organizations?

Awhile back the WEC wanted me to fight Jeff Curran again, but it was on a very short notice and as much as I wanted to, I just couldn’t.

Jason (Dent) has been on the phone with the WEC constantly, trying to help get me in there. It’s just that they are getting so many good, solid fighters now that it is hard to get your foot in the door.

What are your ultimate goal/goals in regards to your fighting career?

I really love what I do. I love the training and fights when they come around. And really, if I never make it to the big-time shows, I love to corner my guys and work their corners when they fight. It’s just nice to be around the atmosphere and be associated with the sport in any way.

Are there any fighters out there that you look up to or aspire to follow the same career path?

I really look up to all of the GriffonRawl fighters. These guys really want the best for each other. I mean, they are really down to earth, easy to get along with and I can easily call all of them my friends. What we have here at GriffonRawl is amazing.

What is the MMA scene like in the Cleveland area?

There are a lot of organizations that try and pop up all the time. We have UMMAXX and NAAFS which are solid organizations who produce fighters. There are really a lot of fighters that are good up this way.

Do you see a difference in the area from when you began your career compared to now?

Yes, a tremendous difference. You can tell just by going to some of the local shows and watching some of the fighters. There are better opportunities for fighters now. You can watch in the fights and see what kind of training they are getting just by keeping their hands up or watching their footwork, things like that. It’s easy to see what development today’s fighters make by watching them in their fights.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer