IFL Dragon's Brent Beauparlant

Beauparlant, who competed on the Canadian National Wrestling team, evolved with the sport he had grown up in and loved for 17 years. Though his first MMA fight came at age 32, working in various disciplines has made the solidly-built Canadian a tough opponent.

Beauparlant is embarking on his IFL career at a time when many are thinking about retirement from MMA.  With all his other experience, one could say that Beauparlant is a “veteran newcomer” in the sport. Brent's hunger and determination is uncommon in fighters of his age (34) so all you youngsters out there get ready for the fight of your life cause Brent is here to stay! Brent faces Mike Ciesnolevicz in the IFL's simi-finals live November 2nd from the Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Ore.

13th Round: Lets start at the beginning, how old were you when you first began training, what was your first style of training?

Brent: Well I did some judo when I was 9 and then northern kung-fu from 14 to 16.
Regular kid stuff like so many other people.

13th Round: You have a deep wrestling background, when did you begin wrestling and what are a few of your accomplishments in the sport?

Brent: I began late... 17 years old. As far as accomplishments I've never been
national champion - always a little out of the gold. 2nd and third 3rd for
about 12 years.

13th Round: What made you decide to get involved with MMA?

Brent: Well ...guys like Manjivar, Goulet, St-Pierre, L'Oiseau and pretty well
everyone else in M.M.A in Quebec at the time were like hey your good at this
stuff - why don't you do some.
I also have to thank Phillip Gelinas for training me so well in Holland muay
thai and B.J.J. This is another guy that was at the forefront of what he did
telling me to get into it.
Another important guy was George Patino whom my wife and I met on our first
visit to Brazil. He was pretty pissed when I started fighting in Canada and
not San Paulo like he wanted me to. lol.

13th Round: Lets talk about the "Dragons" when did you join and what are some of the high points of being involved with the IFL?

Brent: I joined in July or August after being contacted by Terry Riggs
who manages the team.  A high point of course was winning my fight against
Raphael Davis who gave me the fight of my life and tested my will......to
me-that is what MMA should be every time you step in the ring.

13th Round: You have a tough fight on November 2, against Mike Ciesnolevicz, tell us a little about your opponent and how many weeks have you been training for this match?

Brent: I don't know anything other than what I saw in Moline.   I know he
has a guillotine....that's about it, I have been training for it since the
last fight.

13th Round: Up until now who has been your toughest opponent that you have faced as a MMA fighter?

Brent: Davis by far.

13th Round: How many hours a day do you train, and can you briefly describe your training schedule?

Brent: I train in the mornings cardio, and then MMA and muay thai or
BJJ every night.

13th Round: Why do you think that MMA fights are taking over the boxing scene

Brent: I love boxing....so its hard for me to say anything negative-but
the reality is that MMA is more exciting to watch and with more weapons to
use, the matches can result in many different outcomes......and fans SHOULD
see that it is way less damaging to the human body than 12 rounds of getting
punched in the head.

13th Round: How important is it to you to win the team world championships?

Brent: I have a lot of reasons why this means the world to me....I have a
son who I support and who I want to leave a lasting legacy to.....we want
to finally buy a house and show the naysayers that you can make a good
living out of MMA.....

13th Round: How has the IFL been treating you?

Brent: AWESOME.....I cannot believe how much respect I have been shown,
my wife has been shown....my per diem is probably more than most people
make as a purse in small shows!  They have treated me like a talented and
VALUED professional and I can't thank them enough for that.

13th Round: If you could make your own dream match up who would you want to fight?

Brent: There is a whole S*$tload of guys out there with big mouths....all
the pundits out there on the internet running their mouths, all the MMA
masters that don't fight MMA-the tough guy playboys out there on the street
who are looking for trouble.....I would love to get THOSE guys in the ring.

13th Round: At age 34, how much longer do you think you can last in the sport?

Brent: As long as I am still way more talented and beating up the young
guys.....I will stay around.  Until someone actually forces me out.....which
doesn't seem to happening any time soon!

13th Round: Would you consider yourself more of a striker or a submission-type fighter? 

Brent: I LOVE THE STRIKING BABY....there is nothing more fun than punching
or kicking another person !!!!!!!!

13th Round: How important is family when it come to the success of your MMA career?

Brent: Without your family backing you up you might as well quit. My wife
is my rock without her my career ends.

13th Round: Do you feel like a role model when young fans meet you in public? How important are good leaders in the community?

Brent: I don't think I'm well known yet so I don't have any fans - yet-.
As far as community it starts at home. I don't want to go save the world -
I just want to raise my kids right.

13th Round: Do you have any advice for young fighters wanted to get involved with the sport?

Brent: Always remember that there is the game outside the game. Surround
yourself with competent people who won't rob you blind or are indifferent
to your career. This is a career and we are at the beginning stages in
M.M.A - so even the most talented still go blindly into tough situations
(contracts, fights, licensing, etc...)

And then BE a professional athlete - professional being the first word to
describe yourself:
buy the best equipment you can , get your medicals done without bitching
about the cost, always be in shape, wrap your hands, protect yourself
(Vaseline, helmets, good partners etc...)

SHOWER to prevent ring worm , staff, etc.. , don't fight in the street for
free. I could go on all day. There are no secrets. If you study the best guys in
the business I guarantee you they all do things the right way.

13th Round: What was your greatest accomplishment outside MMA? 

Brent: My son Krieger \ 10 months now.

13th Round: What are some of your hobbies outside of the IFL

Brent: Reading and watching movies.

13th Round: Do you have any last words for your fans out there?

Brent: Thanks for taking the time to read this and thank you 13th round
for showing some interest in a new m.m.a fighter. (Who is one of the best
boxing fans out there!)