Name: Julian Papasian
Age: 20
Height: 6ft 1
Fight Weight: 170
Fight Team: Royce Gracie Norwich CT
Fight Record: 1-2
City/State Born: Old Saybrook CT
1. When and Why did you get into MMA??
When I was really young me and my older brother (Kirkor Papasian) wanted to be pro wrestlers. We didn't know it was fake so we would be beating on each other for real all the time. So I guess I was always into fighting before I even knew what it was.
One day we were scanning through the PPV channels (we may or may not have had illegal cable at the time) and one of the very early UFCs came on. It pretty much blew our minds. My brother started training at an MMA gym under Randy Rowe and had his first pro fight before he graduated high school. From there I slowly got into it. I started getting serious about competing at around age 15 when my brothers and I drove from state to state competing in grappling tournaments as much as we could.
2. Do you have a background in martial arts, boxing , wrestling etc?
I started taking Karate when I was 10 years old. I was into that until I started learning grappling from my older brother at around age 13. A few years later I joined a Gracie Jiu Jitsu school and I would definitely consider that my base.
3. What's you nickname, how did you get it?
My nickname is ThunderPants.
A few years back I was in the finals of a grappling tournament in front of a big crowd. I was wearing a pair of my long tights that had a black with a blue lightning pattern on them. Someone in the crowd yelled out "THUNDERPAAANTS!!!" and it just stuck from there.
4. What are your ultimate goals in the sport?
My first big goal is to be considered one of the top welterweights in New England. I want to go as far as I can in this sport but I am always focused on what's in front of me.
That being said, I fight because I am a fighter.
Even if I end up with a record of 1-30 I am going to still be fighting because I am a fighter. It's what I love to do... win or lose.
5. What do you think about your next opponent?
I don't know much about him, but I know he's going to come ready to fight.
6. How do you see the fight going/being finished?.
I'm going out there and looking for the finish the whole time. I'm going to be looking to put him away the entire time. On the feet and if it goes to the ground. I don't like winning decisions. That being said, I know my opponent is going to be tough. I'm not expecting a quick or easy win. I'm preparing for a war.
7. What weight do you walk at/how much do you cut to fight?
I usually walk around at about 190 when I'm not near any fights or big grappling tournaments. I try to get down to around 180 during the camp and then cut water to get down to 170 from there.
8. What's your favorite part about fighting?
That's a tough question. I guess I don't have an answer. I like so many parts about it. The pure competition, the strategy, the physicality... all of it.
9. What's the worst part about fighting?
Cutting weight. I know that's an obvious answer, but it's true. It is the worst part. Cutting weight is miserable.
10. Anyone locally or in the big's that you really would love to fight, and why?
No one particularly. I would be happy to fight anyone who wants to stand and bang with me though. That's the most fun haha
11. What do you feel is your best weapon in your fights?
It's no secret, my ground game is my best weapon. I'm unorthodox and I attack in ways that catch people off guard.
12. What is your favorite foods that you miss while cutting weight??
I don't miss one food specifically because I try to eat fairly healthy all the time. I tend to eat HUGE amounts of food when I don't stop myself. It can be very draining for me to cut back on calories while picking up the training intensity at the same time.
If I had to pick one food though, it would be ramen noodles.
13. What is your most memorable moment to date in MMA??
My most memorable moment would have to be getting to fight at the Mohegan Sun. It was my first serious fight and the crowd was insane. My opponent was Jason Ward, I lost and I took a big beating from him. I left looking like a mess but I never gave up and I loved being in a brawl with him.
14. How else do you spend your time when you are not training??
I spend a lot of my free time playing video games because I am a dork. League Of Legends and Dungeon Defenders are my favorites right now.
15. What do you do for a living besides fighting??
I'm currently unemployed, which probably means my answer to your last question should be different.
Heyoooooo! Shout outs to my mom and my two brothers Dimitri and Kirkor. Thanks to Will Guidry for being my incredibly awesome cornerman and to my great training partners Ryan Charles, Zack Kraft, Joe Thomas, and BUTCHER Steve.
Big thanks to Julian for taking the time to share a little about himself with our readers! We look forward to watching and covering his next fight, Saturday November 19 at the Hu Ke Lau in Chiccopee Ma, for Warrior Nation XFA. Hope you have an easy weight cut, and best of luck in your fight.......ThunderPants!!!
If You Enjoyed This Article Please Comment. Support us by following our twitter and our facebook fan page. It is the best way to stay up to date on local MMA! Any news you would like us to share email us at westernmassmma@gmail.com. Thanks!