Before his 155 lbs title fight this Saturday (March 22) at Operation Octagon, DCMMA was able to get a quick interview with Thomas Lewellen of Gold Medal Grappling.  For those of you who dont know Thomas, he wrestled at local Gar-Field High School, which placed in the top 3 in the state of Virginia while he wrestled there. He was also a State Qualifier and State Ranked wrestler in Virginia. Straight after high school he joined Gold Medal Grappling and is currently a competing fighter under Gold Medal Grappling.

DCMMA: So how did you get into MMA?
Thomas: Through one of the assistant wrestling coaches at my high school who was involved in MMA.  After high school I continued to train with him and kept close relations and decided it was the next step for me.

DCMMA: Does the build up to a title fight feel any different then a normal fight..
Thomas: Its pretty much just a fight as usual.  I look at it as the same as the other, I just have a little more motivation.

DCMMA: Is there anything specific you are concentrating on for this fight?
Thomas: I want to keep the pace up.  I want to push my opponent until I can break his heart.  Once you break their heart, you pretty much have it wrapped up.

DCMMA: There is a perception, especially online, that wrestling based MMA fighters tend to rely on their wrestling to "lay and pray" to try and win fights. However, the Gold Medal guy always seem to be very aggressive, can you tell us about the mentality Elijah and the Gold Medal tries to impart on you guys..
Thomas: We are all always looking to finish a fight.  You just get that feeling that when you have a superior position, you want to take it while it there and finish it.  No one here wants to spend 3 rounds just laying and praying.  Plus we are all very competitive and want to go out and put on a good show, impress people and finish fights.

DCMMA: Between Valhalla, Operation Octagon and other events, it seems like Gold Medal guys are having big fights every few weeks.  What kind effect do the other guys fighting do for everyone else?
Thomas: Its really cool.  Like one of the guys I met through the gym just had his first fight.  He won and it was great knowing I helped him train and go to see him go out there and win.  Its motivation. He won, now I have to go out there and win.  We all motivate it each like that.

DCMMA: Do you know anything about your opponent?
Thomas: Not much.  I know he is a good wrestler from West Virginia.  He had some success in states and I think wrestled a little in college.

DCMMA: Do you try to tailor you game-plans to what you can find out about your opponents?  Or given the lack of information on most of the fighters, just prepare as usual?
Thomas: You want to try and base your plan on whatever you can find out.  Like if you know he is a wrestler, you kinda know what his game plan is going to be like.   Its more training for their style then the fighter given the lack of knowledge.  But in the end, you kind of just have to do what you do.

DCMMA: Given your backgrounds and styles, you guys are perceived as a wrestling school.  However, like Kris showed in his fight at Valhalla, when the wrestling isnt working, you guys are still great MMA fighters and can trade and do what it takes to win.  Can you talk to us about some of the cross training you guys get?
Thomas: We actually dont do that much wrestling since we are almost all already wrestlers.  We focus on more being on well rounded.  Be it boxing classes or BJJ classes or whatever.  Just because we are wrestlers there is the perception that we just wrestle.  We do everything to makes Mixed Martial Arts mixed.

DCMMA: For someone looking to get into MMA do you think a wrestling background kind of eases the transition?
Thomas: Absolutely.  I love being a wrestler.  The ability to control the fight, pushing yourself when your tired, never stopping and using your hips to secure positions are all things I learned from being a wrestler.

DCMMA: Do you have any sponsors or people you would like to thanks?
Thomas: We are sponsored by Glory Days, so I would like to thank them. 

DCMMA: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, anything you would like to add?
Thomas: Just that I am ready to go and get that belt.

DCMMA would like to thank Thomas for taking the time to sit down with us so close to his fight.  Make sure you check out Thomas and his Gold Medal Grappling teammates at Operation Octagon on March 22nd and the Prince William Fair Grounds.