The Doombeard Report is proud to present this interview with Professional MMA fighter Donny “One Speed” Ooton. Donny is 4-0 and is currently preparing for his fifth Pro MMA fight against Jordan Stiner at CFFC XXVI on August 17 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Question: What brought you to MMA?

Answer: I had been involved with wrestling for my entire life. After I stopped competing in 2009, I had coached for another season at Bucknell University. When I left Bucknell, I came back to Richmond to figure out my next move. I had applied for several other coaching positions and had no luck, so I was getting very frustrated with not being able to find a coaching position. I asked a friend if he knew of somewhere I could start training to fight. I needed an outlet; I actually wanted nothing to do with fighting or competing until I started training.

Where did you attend college, and did you graduate? If so, what degree(s) did you attain?

I wrestled at 149 pounds in college and at the senior level I competed at 66kgs (145.5). I went to Virginia Tech for 2 years and wrestled at 141 pounds, then transferred to SUNY Brockport and wrestled at 149 pounds. I was a two-time All-American at SUNY Brockport and I graduated with a B.S. in Physical Education.

Where did you begin your training?

MMA Institute. I walked in and Rick was giving me my consult and he asked me what my goals are and I took a second and said “to be a world champion,” and started training that night.

Your nickname is “One Speed”. There is usually a story behind how nicknames come about and what they mean. What is yours?

All in the name. I do everything all or nothing. My whole life I have been coached to give a topnotch maximum effort.

How long did you train before taking for first Amateur MMA fight?

I joined the gym in late August of 2010 and took my first fight October, 30 2010.

Your first fight, against Mike Pope at Operation Octagon XIII resulted in a third round loss via Rear Naked Choke (RNC). This is also the last and only time you were ever defeated in MMA competition. How did the fight go, and what did you take away from it?

He won the first, I won the second, and it was close in the third. I gassed out and stopped on a takedown attempt and he stepped over and got me with a RNC. I actually at that point refused to take conditioning class, I thought all I had to do was wrestle but I found out I was wrong. And I gotta keep working my Jitz, always gotta work your Jitz.

You finished out your Amateur MMA career with a five-fight winning streak, stopping all your opponents in the first round. How do you feel about the remainder of your Amateur MMA career, and how it prepared you to become a Professional fighter?

Not satisfied. I know I had/have areas I still need to improve in. I mean, I’ve wrestled a million matches in my life and have been in more fights than I can remember but it’s not the same. Being a professional fighter is being a professional athlete. You have to be at the top of your game at all times because you never know what opportunity is going to present itself to you.

In reference to what you just said, what are the things that you do in order to stay at the top of your game? How would you describe your lifestyle?

Well, there’s the diet. I have made a very serious commitment to my diet for the past eight months, 145 isn’t easy for me to make. Then there’s the “social life”, I have really become a homebody, I don’t go out and party. I love to have a good time and go crazy but if I want to reach my goals that will have to wait. I’ll celebrate once every blue moon but other than that not really much goes on.

You are listed as being 5’10”, which makes you pretty tall for the Featherweight division. How much weight do you typically have to cut in order to make that weight?

I have shrunk my body down to where I don’t get heavier than 165. Its important to be used to your competition weight, when I start training for a fight I like to stay about 161, so my body is used to being that weight and after weigh ins, I don’t have to worry about gaining so much weigh it slows me down.

Is 145 pounds similar to the weight division that you competed at in your collegiate wrestling career?

I wrestled at 149 pounds in college and at the senior level I competed at 66kgs (145.5).

How do you like training with Rick McCoy at MMA Institute?

It’s awesome; he’s a really good coach. Besides the fact he knows so much about the sport, he really knows what to say and do to get the most out of his athletes. He really cares about all of us and our futures.

How do you like living in the Richmond area?

I’m a beach guy, if I had my way I would hangout and surf all day. Richmond is the best environment for me to train.

You had your first professional MMA fight in March of 2012, against Daniel Yeagley. You won by via Submission due to strikes in the first round. What are your thoughts on your preparation for that fight, your opponent, and how the fight went that night?

Well every time I sign a contract it’s the most important fight of my career, so I treat it like I’m fighting for a world title. Not to mention its a fight, I’m locked in a cage with someone who wants to hurt me. I take it very personal and as a fight for my life.  “Winning is living and losing is death.” -Tom Brands . I had made a few mistakes in that fight and I knew I needed to get in the gym and correct them.

Well, it appears that you retired your first Pro opponent, as he hasn’t fought since losing his Pro debut to you. What are your thoughts on that?

I try not to think about it, I was better that night… business as usual.

You are 4-0 in your Pro career at this time. How have your fights gone until this point, and what have you learned from them?

They have gone well. I learned from each fight. I still have areas I need to improve in and I just gotta keep my head down and work for the next one. Can’t look at my last fights other than a learning experience, the past is the past and I just have to keep moving forward.

Your next fight is on August 17 against Jordan Stiner. How are you preparing for that fight, and what are your thoughts on your opponent?

Gotta keep working my Jitz, anyone can stop a takedown or hit someone but the ground is a whole different world… its frustrating. I’m working on sticking to the game plan, being aware of what he does well and fight my fight. I need to focus on what I’m going to do to win the fight and perform at a top level. I haven’t really given him much thought, just focusing on the task at hand.

What is your outlook on your career at this point?

I need to keep improving, I’m not gonna be happy until I reach my goals. I would love some sponsorship though. Having some type of financial support would make things a lot less stressful.

Do you have another occupation outside of fighting? Have you had difficulties finding sponsors?

I work construction and security at a nightclub. I have had some sponsorship but not on a major or consistent scale, just support from friends and family and my boss at Europa. If you’re ever in the Shockoe Bottom area, stop in for some tapas, it’s some of the best I have ever had.

Forgive me for using a somewhat loaded term. How would you describe your style as a fighter?

Well, there’s no secret that I’m a wrestler. I’ve done it my entire life, it’s in my blood. I love to take people down, pick ‘em up and put ‘em down hard!

You have finished all but one of your fights. Do you take pride in that?

That’s my job. I’m totally stoked about it and yeah I take pride in my job.

You train with a very experienced team of fighters at MMAI. Guys like Mike Wade, Terrell Hobbes, Brian Nielson, and now Tom Lawlor as well. What are your thoughts on the training you get from all those guys?

I get my ass kicked everyday, it’s very humbling. I learn a lot from it because everyone brings something different to the table. We all feed off of each other and these guys are my family now. We’re not afraid to tell one another if they need to fix something or they are doing well at something.

What are your thoughts on Tom Lawlor coming to Richmond and joining MMAI?

I think its awesome, I cant wait to learn from him. He is a big, strong, tough guy so it could mean a lot more black eyes for me. I kinda have a way of getting under people’s skin, you could say I have a big mouth.

You are bouncer as well as a Pro MMA fighter. I have encountered more than a few bouncers and/or drunk guys who claim that they “fight UFC”. Have you encountered such things? If so, what are your thoughts?

Well, my job isn’t to really hurt them or beat them up. We don’t really have that type of crowd, it’s a more “established” crowd. But yeah, you always have the jackasses, but they usually notice my ears right off the bat and that stops a lot.

Ideally, where do you see your career going in these next few years?

Bigger fights, bigger money, and world titles. That’s what I got into this sport for, to be the best. My goal is to be as good at all aspects as I am at wrestling. Oh yeah undefeated, that’s a key point. I hate losing…. I can’t even stand to lose in board games.

What is your favored method of ending a fight?

Elbows. I like putting my elbows through people’s faces. I have “Kapow!” tattooed on my right elbow. When I knock someone out from knees, I’m gonna get the bottom half of an acme rocket on my shin right under my knee, with explosion clouds, it’s gonna be so rad!

How many fights have you finished via elbows?

Three Pro, four Amateur.

How many tattoos do you have? Do they all mean something to you?

I have a half sleeve on my left arm, a USA wrestling symbol on my back (I got that one for winning my first state title), three on my right arm, one on either side of my ribs, and a Hokie bird on my left thigh. Yeah, they all tell a story.

If you could fight any fighter, whether they are currently active or retired. Who would it be? Why?

My old assistant wrestling coach from SUNY Brockport, Frank Pulambo, I don’t like that dude. I don’t really wanna “cage fight” him. That one would better serve as a street fight. When I fight in the cage I’m doing my job. When it’s in the cage it’s not personal, it’s business. I mean it is personal because it’s a fight… but it’s a job.

Would you like to thank anyone who has or is currently helping you in your career as a fighter?

Every one of my teammates and coaches. I wouldn’t be able to do this without them, there are so many people that put in so much time and effort into all of us. Rick, John, Tiger, Jake, Kazeka, Rafael, and Strickland.

The career of a professional fighter can be an arduous one. Between the rigorous daily training, fights, the fights that don’t happen, and injuries..some would consider such a career path a daunting one. What inspires you to be a fighter?

I didn’t reach my goals wrestling. I wont be happy until I can look myself in the mirror and be satisfied with my career. I fell short of my goals wrestling because I couldn’t settle down, and I don’t want that to keep haunting me.
If you had to make a prediction on how you see your upcoming fight going, what would it be?

5-0 with four stops for Ooton. Business as usual.

Well thank you for taking the time to do this interview, and I look forward to seeing your next fight on August 17 for CFFC. Besides attending the event itself in Atlantic City, are there other ways for your fans to see your fight?

I’m pretty sure it will be live streamed on cffc.tv the night of the event.