Question: What brought you to MMA?

Answer: I wrestled my whole life. I was a competitor early on. I found it as an escape from the real world… I controlled my progress in wrestling and no one could stop me but me. When I graduated high school, I had been undefeated in wrestling for two years and I still had my drive. At first I had some personal issues that kept me from taking advantage of a D1 scholarship to VMI and without competition my life fell apart a bit. I felt lost without the goal setting and motivation that the sport brought.

Where did you finish your collegiate wrestling career? Did you graduate? If so, what was your degree?

King University in Bristol, TN. Yeah I graduated with a degree in History and a minor in coaching and secondary education. After moving to Harrisonburg I pursued a Masters Degree in Secondary Education at Liberty University but never finished. I dropped everything when I moved to Richmond to “shoot for the stars” as they say. I can go back to school at any time. I can’t say that about MMA.

Where did you begin your training?

I found a small team in my hometown and began training in Jiu-jitsu. About three weeks into training, I jumped right into MMA competition and never looked back. I met Beau Baker at my first amateur competition and began traveling to Harrisonburg (then Valley Chute Boxe) five or six days a week along with training Jiu-jitsu, Judo, and boxing at VMI and BVFC (gym in my home town). I eventually went back to college to wrestle competitively and to finish my degree. I would continue training MMA in my wrestling off season and competed as well.

When I graduated college I moved to Harrisonburg (at the time had moved to MMA Institute) and began my professional career.

So you had your first MMA fight after only three weeks of training?

Yes sir. I was young and naïve but very motivated. I was an elite athlete already and this carried me through until I began to evolve as a mixed martial artist. I started training at 18… That means I’ve put in almost 10 years.

Your nickname is “Tailor Made”. There is usually a story behind how nicknames come about. What is yours?

No big story—I believe that my life experiences and ventures have “tailored” me perfectly for this sport; I was made for this. Also my style is “tailor-made” for any opponents. Plus it rhymes dude, you know?

My nickname in college was given to me by a kid named Patrick Spano. He called me the “buffet” short for “buffet of manliness”. He said when I fought I would “give them an all-you-can eat” buffet of beat down. He was a trip and I loved that kid. Another dude named Quinton “KB” Brown used to call me M-dot because my signature is M. Wade for everything.

Personally, I think you should use “The Buffet” as a second nickname, that’s pretty awesome. Ever thought of rocking a supplementary nickname like only the best (insert sarcasm here) rappers do?

No thanks, I thought Mike Wade was enough. My dad is Mike Wade too and together we have built somewhat of a badass reputation in our own respects. But I’m sure Patrick Spano will always call me “the Buffet”.

Was your first Amateur MMA fight a Submission loss against Andrew Zai? If so, what did you take away from that fight, and how did it impact your mindset going forward in your career?

Zai was my second and I learned a lot. Sometimes a loss teaches you more than a win. Wait you are right Zai was first… It was a long time ago. Most of my influential fights for me came as a Pro.

After racking up eight Amateur MMA fights in under two years, you finished with a record of 6-2. At what point did you make the move from MMA Institute in Harrisonburg to MMA Institute’s Richmond location?

I competed as an amateur for three years off and on…. I was 8-2 as a few fights were unsanctioned. I had a “difference of opinion” with the current coach in Harrisonburg and had been planning to make the move to Richmond eventually. I moved to Richmond after being in Harrisonburg for a little over a year. I took some time off after my last amateur fight (guy was 10-0 amateur and I TKO’d him) to finish school and finish strong in wrestling

How do you like training under Rick McCoy at MMA Institute, as well as living in the city of Richmond?

The only thing I like about Richmond is the people I’ve met and work with and the gym. I love training at MMAI in Richmond. Rick is a great coach. Lots of coaches teach technique and Rick is one of the best I’ve seen but his devotion to the fighters is what makes him great. I’ll end my career here I’m sure of it. There are always tough guys in the gym and I get better all the time. Now if I could just stay a little more active then my career would be perfect.

You happen to be a part of an experienced group of fighters at MMAI. You train daily with guys like Terrell Hobbs, Brian Nielson, Donny Ooton, and Keith Bell. MMAI has also recently added UFC fighter Tom “Filthy” Lawlor to its roster. How do you feel about the level of training that you get in the gym from your teammates?

We are getting better all the time. We are one of the best and it’s time to show the world. With the addition of the new equipment and space that Rick is working on, we will have everything we need to compete with any gym and any level of fighters. I’m glad to do my part in proving our worth in the overall MMA scene.

Tom Lawlor joined an already successful and experienced team and he will only add to the stable of badasses we already had. I’m excited to work with him to prepare him for his UFC fights and to get my ass in there.

Tom Lawlor has established himself as a very entertaining fighter with a colorful personality. How have you found your experiences training and interacting with him so far.

He is still recovering from knee surgery so he hasn’t been training so far but he is definitely a character. He is a great guy and fun to be around. He will make a great fit here in Richmond and is already making friends. Last conversation I had with him is how he can sneak in the UFC fighter thing to get girls…his ideas are funny!

Since beginning your Professional MMA career in November of 2010, you have only logged six fights that appear on your record. Given your statement on how you’d like to fight more often, what do you think is the reason for you having trouble getting fights?

Since the beginning of my career I’ve been taking really tough fights against tough guys. I believe I’ve accrued too much “street cred”. Fighters just won’t take fights against me. I’ve beaten fighters that have competed for all the “big” shows. There are some political issues as well but mainly fighters just won’t put their name on the dotted line versus Mike Wade. I don’t even think I’m that scary. I have holes in my game but I’ve proven to be tough and fearless. I guess that’s scary to some.

The first opponent that has “big show” experience that you beat was recent World Series of Fighting competitor Ozzy Dugulubgov. What are your thoughts on the outcome of that fight, and what it meant to you?

Beating Ozzy D. was huge for me mentally because I went in not knowing how I could beat him and I found a way. I think he looked good and the more he wins the better I look. He is a pretty good guy actually and I wish him the best. However, WSOF currently employs two fighters I’ve beaten and several “forfeit” wins (meaning they wouldn’t fight me so to me I won without even touching them). So no matter how nice they are I believe it should be me in there. McCray competed for WSOF directly after I beat him. Granted he took a tough fight and lost a split decision but I’m still a bit envious. Same with Chris Mierzwiak and Bellator, he had competed for Strikeforce before I fought him. Mike Winters was M-1/Strikeforce and Bellator vet. McCray won on Bellator before I fought him on top of TUF/UFC and went to WSOF right after. I think I’m ready to shine in the “big” shows myself soon… It’s my time. My turn…but it’ll come soon enough. As long as I’m active I’m happy.

Your most recent fight was a victory in CFFC against former TUF Runner-Up Kris McCray. After surviving adversity earlier in the fight, you came back and dominated him in the third round, doing enough for the judges to award you the Split Decision. What are your thoughts on that fight, and what it means for your career going forward?

It was a great fight. With every storm you survive you get stronger. My confidence has skyrocketed since. I specifically remember McCray having a tough fight with top 20 Welterweight John Hathaway in the UFC. Just shows me what level I’m on and how close I am to achieving my goals. I had 28 days to prepare for the McCray fight. I like to think about the fight had I prepared a full 8-10 weeks. Not to take anything away from McCray because I highly respect the guy and he is one tough SOB. In fact I think McCray is more well rounded and tougher mentally than my upcoming opponent.

I actually believe that I am a much better fighter since the McCray fight as well. My stand up has improved three fold and I am making leaps and bounds since starting with Danny Clark and Spartan Nutrition Systems.

Your next scheduled fight is a recently announced match-up against recent UFC and Strikeforce veteran Nah-Shon Burrell. What are your thoughts on how you are going to train with MMAI’s sterling team of Pro’s to prepare for this fight?

Actually nothing will change. My cardio will be phenomenal and I’ll be ready where ever the fight goes…..as far as game plan goes I do have one but he doesn’t scare me in any discipline. He is a tough guy but I’m much tougher…bigger and stronger and I guarantee you I want it more. I can’t wait.

If you had to make a prediction for how the fight will go, what would it be?

TKO win for me. First or second round depending on how quick I break him mentally. I just want the W and I feel I’m well rounded enough to stop him a number of ways. I sure do miss those TKO wins though. I will however (like always) be prepared mentally and physically for a 15 minute war.

Do you have another occupation besides fighting?

I bounce in a few bars and though I love the people I work with I am not a fan of bouncing. At Metro Grill and Society (previously Lucky Buddha). Soon I will be working for Rick at the gym with one of the new programs that will be offered.

Given that I have met my fair share of bouncers who claim to “fight UFC” and enjoy their jobs, what makes you not like being a bouncer?

I don’t have anything to prove. I literally spend all day beating up guys that know what they are doing. I have no desire to pick on drunken, wanna-be-tough-guys. I am good at it but I’d like to think of myself as a nice guy and I don’t like the drama involved. The bouncers that claim to “fight UFC” have already lost the intimidation battle in the eyes of anyone who knows anything about the sport.

How would you assess the state of your career at the present time? Where do you see your career going in the next few years?

Present time it’s hard to say… I have definitely made some noise and proven my worth in the sport. I would definitely like to fight for the UFC and that is my goal. Once I’m there my goals will obviously adapt and career goal is to become world champ or die trying.

What is your favorite method to end a fight?

By far TKO and I can’t really explain why. I haven’t ended a fight like this as a Pro (I was close several times) but had a few as an amateur. In the end though my goal is to win and I don’t care how it happens.

If you could fight anyone, whether they are currently active or retired, who would it be, and why?

Definitely GSP because it’s my goal to be world champ. Outside of that, all fights lead to that.

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?

There is in fact a lot of B.S. that people don’t hear about and there is most definitely more to it than meets the eye. I fight because it is something that makes my family, my friends, and most importantly myself proud. The key in fighting is self-development and I feel like a stronger overall person with every obstacle I overcome…..and there aren’t too many obstacles worse than get punched or eating a knee on the button.

Fighting is my chance to make a mark and be remembered for something I think.

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

Wow yes… The list is pretty long. A lot of people have and still do believe in me. I’ll stick to the current and all others know how I feel: MMA Institute, Rick McCoy, Pete Hatcher, GX Supplements, Rac-e-tol-ogy (Mike Cheatham, Mike Cullather, Shane, and the rest), Kevin Knight and other trainers at Crossfit Midlo, Jeff Evans and Fluid Fightworx, Beverly and the fam over at Investors Land Co. (a brand new sponsor), Metro Grill, and I can’t forget you and your site man. Appreciate your time.

Also my striking trainers John Ward, Tiger, and Dave S. over at MMAI for the extra work over the last few months.