Dustin Center Interview

Dustin Center is a young mixed-martial artist with a strong wrestling background. Not only is he talented in the cage but outside of the cage as well with his intellect and wit; look for Dustin to make an impact in the 155lb division. Leading up to his August 28 fight against Dalton Moss, Center took some time to speak with ProFighting-fans.com Senior Writer Nick Russell:

I have read that you are of Australian background, is that correct?

Yes.

How did you make the move to where you are based in Ohio?

My Dad actually went to college in America and that is where he met my Mom. I have been to Australia many times, my aunt is Australian, and so I go there and visit. I can actually get my dual citizenship, so that I can be just as much Australian as American.

It is fairly obvious that you have an accomplished background in wrestling; you have succeeded in high school and college. What have you done to tighten up other aspects of your game so that you can succeed in this sport for a long time?

I started out doing a little bit of jiu-jitsu and I had a wrestling coach that trained professional fighters. I got to working out with him and he started to train me after my wrestling practice, especially in how to use my wrestling to fight people. I then go the idea of doing an MMA fight. From there I kind of got obsessed with it. I went to Jorge Gurgel’s gym and started to train jiu-jitsu there.

I then went to Thailand where I had to get up at 5 in the morning and do a two-hour muay-thai practice. So when I came home from work, I would go to another two-hour muay-thai practice. I did two professional muay-thai fights while I was in Thailand.

When I came home everyone kept telling me that I needed to work on my hands. I then took lessons with one of Rich Franklin’s boxing partners for a good 3-4 months.

Since then, I have been training with different camps. I actually got the privilege to train with people like Dustin Hazelett, Rich Franklin, and Jorge Gurgel all summer when they didn’t have a wrestling coach.

Is it true that the passing of one of your childhood friends motivate you to go into MMA?

When we were juniors in high school, he had to leave school and was in a car accident and passed away. We had a lot of good memories during those years, so when I do fight, it does bring back good memories. It also brings back memories of wrestling practice, and it makes me smile, so it’s kind of a happy thing.

You fought in 7 amateur bouts, but how did you know that it was time to move on and become a professional fighter?

Well after me first fight, I never wanted to have a career in MMA, it was a bet. It was the best adrenaline rush I ever had. I actually beat a guy that was undefeated either 4-0 or 5-0 at the time.

My second fight was on one day’s notice, so it was kind of like the first experience. A guy asked me to take a fight while in the bar for the next day.

When I moved to Thailand, that is when I knew that I really wanted to do it professionally.

You have mentioned some of the guys that you have trained with along the way, but do you have a place that you call home-base?

I made up my own gym DC MMA. I was training at my college, and I met a guy that had trained at Randy Couture’s gym in Vegas, he was one of the assistant coaches out there. I also have another guy that is a real good fighter with me as well as a couple of scrapers.

I figured that we had all the aspects covered with all of our coaching. So we kind of just put it together.

How did you feel going into you professional debut?

I felt pretty strong. At the time, I didn’t have an MMA coach, so I was kind of doing my own training. I felt like I was in good shape, considering I cut from about 180 to 157, so a couple of days out I was not fun to be around.

After I made weight, I put some fluids back in me and my body felt great. After the fight, I actually felt wonderful because I had just fought my first professional fight and I got that experience.

I read that with your latest victory in July, you earned a contract with the Sportfight X organization. Is that true?

What happened was when I signed my contract it was for three fights. Well, after the fight I went to get paid. I found out that the contract said, if I don’t get paid within 24 hours, it’s a breach of contract.

Anyway, after the fight, they said that I had tapped during the fight, so they gave me $500, which was half. Then they changed the victory to a no contest. That is when I got to meet Scott (Dryden) and he helped me get out of my contract with Sportfight X.

Where do you see your career going from here?

My short-term goal is to get a lot of fights, a lot of experience, and get a feel for my own unique style. I want to use the experiences that I have had and come up with something special.

I plan on taking the next year or two and really developing my style. If I do develop that style and uniqueness that I know I have in me, I’m going to try and put the next 4-5 years into fighting full-time. If I’m successful, I’ll keep fighting. If I’m not successful and not having fun, I’m going to pursue my master in special education.

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You typically fight as a lightweight; do you have a preference as to what weight you fight at?

I feel like right now I’m a 155-pounder. When I’m managing my weight, I’m about 170 lbs. When I’m lifting, I can get to about 175-180 lbs. I really do like fighting at 155. Down the road, maybe, I would like to fight at 170, for the main reason that I like getting big.

Do you have any details on your next fight (Dalton Moss)?

I saw two of his videos. He looks like he has some good coaching, and comes from a good gym. He has had at least 7 pro fights, so I think that it would be an honor to fight someone that has fought that many pro fights. I’m really looking forward to it.

Well, Dustin, I’d like to thank you for your time and wish you good luck on your next fight and your career. I look forward to following you and hope to talk to you down the road.

Is there anyone out there that you would like to mention?

I would actually like to thank Scott (Dryden) and his management team, because they have just been wonderful. I also have a very good supportive family and my friends; they all support me and look after me.

By Curt Heinrichs
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer