Paul Riley MMA blog - Live from Afghanistan

Paul Riley talks about his MMA training and his service for our country in Afghanistan

Paul Riley updates his fans, patriots and readers on his life in Afghanistan and his MMA training. Most importantly - no TV! Paul’s conversation with ProFighting-fans.com Editor-in-Chief Scott Dryden:

SD- What are the conditions like over there?

PR- It's still hot and humid but I think we are past the hump of the insane heat that you just can't prepare for. Nutrition wise it sucks though. Not a lot of food and the food we do have is horrible.

Photo courtesy of Paul Riley

SD- The confrontations in Afghanistan seem to be growing (according to the media anyway), speak about what you have been going through.

PR- We just entered the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan so things will be on edge over the next few weeks. My platoon was part of a big mission that we wrapped up at the beginning of the month. We were out for 8 days and on the 7th night we pushed into a Taliban stronghold in order to regain control of it were we killed 35 Taliban fighters. We suffered a few injuries but thankfully didn't lose anyone and those injured are recovering right now.

SD- What is the mood amongst the troops?

PR- We keep each other sane. We go through and see a lot that normal everyday people can't relate too, nor could they handle if put in the same situations as us. The bond that we have brings us together as a whole so that when the days come along and you aren't doing so hot mentally for one reason or another, and all of us have those days, someone will either say or do some off the wall to snap you back into the game.

SD- How is your conditioning and weight?

PR- My conditioning is going pretty good. I'm more focused on dropping a little body fat so I've toned down the intensity some on my runs so I can keep my heart rate up longer. I plan on shifting back to a lot of sprints and explosive training 2 months prior to me returning home though. I haven't toned down a thing though during my bag and focus mitt sessions. So far though I have added some muscle and dropped some body fat. I weighed myself the other day and was 201 completely full and hydrated. 185 will be a real easy cut for me but I plan on hopefully being a solid 190 when I get home so I can cut to 170 for my fights.

SD- Have you been getting any MMA training in?

PR- It's been hard getting fight-specific training but I have been making do. The last few weeks when I haven't been out on missions I've been getting some good work in on the focus mitts, focusing on my technique and hand speed with different combinations. On the ground I've been working on my Rubber Guard. I've been working strictly on technique and transitional flow through different submissions

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SD- The big news is you have been without television - how are your surviving missing some very good UFC events?

PR- Yeah lightning hit our satellite about a month ago! It has sucked, especially since the UFC gives us PPV events for free over here. We still have the internet though so I get updates from a lot of the fighters I know and I always follow www.profighting-fans.com to stay in the loop.

SD- Anything else you want to add?

PR- I just want to thank everyone for all of the support that I'm receiving while I'm over here. It means a lot to me and to my family. Mainly though I want to let my 5 year old son Jordan know how much I love him, miss him, and how proud I am of him. He is kicking butt in the Little Spartan Program at Standalone Mixed Martial Arts in Chico, California! He is also starting kindergarten this week. I wish I could be there to take him but my wife Hayley is doing a awesome job while I'm gone.

Exclusive blog for ProFighting-fans.com provided by Paul Riley, U.S. Army SGT