by: Jack Bratcher
If you saw Elite XC: Unfinished Business this past Saturday night on CBS you were most likely very impressed with what you saw. One of the best fights of the night and to me, one of the top fights of the year was Thomas “Wildman” Denny vs. Nick Diaz. Denny went into the hometown of local Stockton favorite, Nick Diaz, stood toe to toe with him and let it all hang out. Prior to this fight, many newer MMA fans may not have been familiar with “The Wildman” because even though he’s a veteran of the sport, pretty much all of his fights had been in the smaller regional organizations. Those days are over. The world has now witnessed what the hardcore MMA fans have known for years; that Thomas “Wildman” Denny comes to fight. He’s colorful, he’s exciting, and I would imagine a promoter’s dream. “The Wildman” has worked a long time to get to where he is now and the future is looking very bright. Thomas was nice enough to take the time to speak with us at PRO MMA and every one I have talked with says he is always very friendly and cordial to them as well. It’s very refreshing when you find out someone you look up to is actually a cool person. If you don’t know, now ya’ know…Thomas “The Wildman” Denny:
PRO MMA: How’s it going Thomas? I’m honored to get to speak with you and appreciate you taking the time to talk with us. You’ve been in this fight game for a long time. I can’t even imagine all you must have seen and the stories you must have after all these years. Do you remember the first professional fight you had those many years ago and when you walked into the ring; how does it compare to what you experienced this past weekend at Elite XC on CBS when you walked into that ring?
THE WILDMAN: Thanks for the kind words but I am nobody. Thank you for taking time to interview me. As for the fight, every single one is different and wow this one was completely different. I have never been so hated in my whole career.
PRO MMA: Where are you from originally Thomas and what kind of kid were you? What were you into?
THE WILDMAN: I was born in Huntington Beach. I had a very poor and miserable childhood so I have blocked a lot of it out but I was always a hyper kid.
PRO MMA: As you got older as a teenager what was Thomas Denny doing and what was life like?
THE WILDMAN: It wasn’t a teenage life that’s for sure. I left home and started paying rent at age 14 so I grew up quick you can say; trying to work, have fun and enjoy the little things in life.
PRO MMA: What kind of MMA training have you had over the years who have been some of your inspiration and teachers and where do you currently train?
THE WILDMAN: I was like a lot of kids, my hero was Bruce Lee. I started boxing, then kickboxing, then training Jiu Jitsu with Joe Moirera and started fighting cause it looked like a great release in life. In ValeTudo, Pele Landi became a hero of mine.
PRO MMA: Your fight with Nick Diaz was amazing. It reminded me of some of those legendary wars we’ve seen through the years. How do you feel about the fight and how it went? What are your thoughts concerning your performance and Nick’s performance?
THE WILDMAN: I fought raw and no holding back and my central nervous system shut down about 4:30 in the 1st. I was balls to the walls and forgot it was a 15 minute fight. I fought off emotions and not my game plan.
PRO MMA: Would you say that was the biggest fight of your career and if so why?
THE WILDMAN: Nick Diaz on CBS. Self explanatory.
PRO MMA: How does Nick Diaz rank compared to everyone else you have fought throughout your career?
THE WILDMAN: The toughest. It was just such an emotionally charged fight for me. I learned a lot about myself.
PRO MMA: What did you do after the fight Saturday night? Are you doing ok physically?
THE WILDMAN: I went and ate some good ass Thai food and chilled with my friends and family. I had no injuries at all, just exhausted.
PRO MMA: Where do you go from here Thomas? You have already been in this game for so long, how much longer do you want to keep fighting professionally and do you have any more fights signed with Elite XC as of now?
THE WILDMAN: I think the fight showed everyone I belong in there. I am a great fighter and I have come a long way. I will continue with Elite XC and I signed a five fight deal over two years.
PRO MMA: Where will Thomas Denny be in five years? What will he be doing?
THE WILDMAN: Don’t know. I am not a whack job fortune teller. I will be in the game but probably a coach instead of a fighter and still loving MMA.
PRO MMA: Do you have any interests or hobbies outside of MMA? What other kinds of activities are you into?
THE WILDMAN: Anything extreme: skydiving, motocross, strip clubs. And when I want to relax a good game of golf.
PRO MMA: Do you have any closing thoughts or words of wisdom you would like to leave us with? Any shout-outs or thank-you’s?
THE WILDMAN: Thank you once again for the support. The one thing I will say about Diaz; like him or not, he’s real and isn’t two-faced like a lot of others. People should follow that instead of being nice to your face and then talking crap behind your back. Thanks to all the MMA fans that like me or not and continue to help the sport grow. Thanks to MMAagents, Tapout, Jesus Didn’t Tap, Rockstar, Bloodfist Battlegear, Toe2Toe, and all the Wildman fans and family.
You can check out Thomas “The Wildman” Denny’s website at http://thomasdenny.com