Name: Jeff Emil Haddad
Age: 24
Height:5'8'
Fight Weight: 135
Pro MMA record: 2-0
Kickboxing:
Amateur Muay Thai/Kickboxing: 1-0
Grappling:
Record: 29-5
1x Advanced NAGA New England Champion
2x Advanced NAGA East Coast 2nd place
3rd at the American Grappling Championships
College Wrestling:
3 year college wrestling captain
MA College's Student Athlete of the Month 2009
Top 10 in AIC for most wins/wins in a season/consecutive wins
Record: 78-26
HS Wrestling:
CT HS State Champ
Record 128-22
City/State Born: Worcester, MA - From Old Saybrook, CT
1. Do you have a background in martial arts, boxing , wrestling etc?
Yes, I started Tae Kwon Do at a young age, and I attained a single stripe blue belt. I started wrestling at 13, and I also did Capoiera for a short time during the off season of college wrestling to stay limber.
2. When and Why did you get into MMA??
It is hard to say when I officially "started" MMA. I grew up wrestling. As I traveled to compete and train, I met people who trained in MMA or subsets of MMA (boxing, judo, bjj, muay thai, etc). However, it was something I progressed into as wrestling came to a close in college. I did not start training on a daily basis until 2 years ago at Fighting Arts Academy in Springfield, MA.
3. What's your nickname, how did you get it?
Emil. It's actually my middle name, and the name of my grandfather. He was a famous jazz musician, and he was such a cool cat. I thought it would be nice to honor his name as well as embody his character.
4. What are your ultimate goals in the sport?
My goal is to be the Bantamweight world champion. I have trained with world champions, olympic medalists, national champions, all-americans, etc. I know what it is like to train with the best, and I know the sacrifice that comes with a goal of that magnitude.
5. What do you think about your next opponent?
My next opponent is extremely tough, durable, and has not been finished. Thus, he has not experienced defeat, and will bring unblemished confidence coming into this fight. His willingness to engage during a fight is another attribute that makes him so dangerous. Everything I do must be calculated.
 |
| from the Reality Fighting Fight Card for Oct.8th, 2011 event |
6. How do you see the fight going/being finished?
I am not sure where the fight will end up. Albeit, I do believe it is going to be a war. Both of us are aggressive, explosive, and willing to engage. I believe this will boil down to will, intelligence, aggression, and cardio. With that said, I see myself ending this fight via TKO.
7. What weight do you walk at/how much do you cut to fight?
I walk around at approximately 152lbs. My diet is very calculated, and I will only be cutting 5-6 pounds the day of weigh-ins. I should be around 5% body fat at weogh-ins. I am looking to put on 8 more pounds within the next year. I would like to be the size of the top guys in the world. Individuals like Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber hit 160 post fight.
8. What's your favorite part about fighting?
I love the dynamics of the competition, the training, and the lifestyle. It is a delicate balance of lifting, nutrition, grappling, boxing, muay thai, wrestling, mental training, perseverance, and it all culminates to 1 moment where another man stands across from you bringing the same personal struggle of balancing the different aspects of MMA. Achieving victory under those circumstances is indescribable.
9. What's the worst part about fighting?
Cutting weight.
10. Anyone locally or in the big's that you really would love to fight, and why?
I am not one to personally call anyone out. I am just happy to be fighting for a title.
11. What do you feel is your best weapon in your fights?
I believe my ability to adapt as a fight progresses is my best weapon. I am able to find what approach would be most successful depending on different skill sets.
12. What is your favorite foods that you miss while cutting weight??
Haha, I would say it isn't what foods I will miss but the quantities of food that I will miss. I eat pretty healthy. So, I am not missing out on the Big E's glazed donut burger lol. I am missing out on stuffing as much salmon as I possibly can in my stomach.
13. What is your most memorable moment to date in MMA??
My last win in February was an amazing experience. I was dealing with grad school, I had 3 terminally ill relatives, and I went into the fight sick. I didn't tell anyone about it before or after the fight because I didn't want to have people think I was complaining, but it was a trying time in my life. I was proud of myself for staying focused and grounded.
14. How else do you spend your time when you are not training??
I have been playing guitar for 13 years. So, I write a ton of music, but I had to quit bands to pursue school and MMA. I love to spend time at the beach, hang out with friends and family, and I help coach American International College wrestling. When I can, I shoot down to Old Saybrook to help high school team, as well.
15. What do you do for a living besides fighting??
I am a full-time grad student studying occupational therapy. I also wait tables.
I would also like to thanks the guys at Westernmassmma for putting their hearts into the growth of the local MMA scene!
I would like to thank Jeff for taking a moment or two and sharing this great bio. I enjoy your fights, your video updates, and now your writing. We would like to say that it has been an extraordinary year in local MMA across the three states we travel to in order to bring our viewers "Closer To The Cage". With so many determined and outstanding athletes such as yourself and your fellow teammates it is not hard to see why this is the fastest growing sport in the world. Keep focused and we'll talk again after you exit the cage Saturday night.
This article was posted by Joe Leonard a writer and photographer for WesternMassMMA.com as well as a student of Team Ravenous MMA located at The Web in downtown Greenfield, MA. To all my friends, family, and those kind enough to read this article, please leave your comments, questions, and criticisms below using the radio buttons below. I value your feedback.