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Pat Barry: MMA, Kickboxing & the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in One

Exclusive Interview by Sean Farrell

“The UFC is a real live videogame!” – Pat Barry

Pat “HD” Barry has an 18-6-1, kickboxing record, and is 6-2 in MMA. To many, they may have never heard of him, but they will as Pat Barry has the skill and the drive to become the best transitioned kickboxer into MMA ever.

It started at a young age with him wanting to become a ninja being inspired by Jean Claude Van Damme, Sagat from the Street Fighter video games and of course the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Barry started training professionally at the age of 21 while a junior sociology major at the University of New Orleans, he walked into a kickboxing gym named “Russell Jones Kickboxing Gym” in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and made his pro debut on November 2, 2002, at the U.S. Open International Martial Arts Championships, winning the National Title in Sanshou over Robert Parham. Then Barry left Russell’s Gym and pursued his kickboxing dream full-time with Master Shawn Liu at LIU International in New Orleans, A year later Barry participated in the Kung-fu World Championships over in China and won a Silver Medal.

In June of 2003, Pat Barry fought twice in the USASKF Art of War II Sanshou Professional Fights in Atlanta, Georgia. He won both a spot on the US National Sanshou Team and a World Title by knocking out Paul Gurevidius.

In November of 2003, as a US National Team member Barry competed at the Wushu Kung-Fu World Championships in Macau, China, winning a silver medal among the world’s elite. In December 2004, Barry won the K. Superstar Title in New Orleans. Then from 2002 through 2008, Barry visited China four times with his Coach Shawn Liu and competed in one of Shandong’s stadiums and trained with the Chinese National Sanshou Team at the Shaolin Temple. Barry went on to also participated in “Journey to the East” a documentary film from China and was named by the Shaolin Temple Masters as “the True Shaolin Warrior of the West.” Barry accomplished all his Sanshou goals to hone his kickboxing skills and made the move to the best kickboxing organization in the world K-1.

In 2004 he took part in K-1 tryouts that were held in Las Vegas, Nevada and made his K-1 debut on April 30, 2005 at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 in Las Vegas. Barry’s debut was spoiled however as he lost by split decision to Scott Lighty. That loss however was nothing compared to the losses he was about to endure, Barry’s grandmother was killed and his family home was destroyed when Hurricane Katrina struck his native New Orleans in 2005. Barry now had no home and in 2006, Barry moved to Amsterdam, Netherlands to train with four time K-1 World Champion “Mr. Perfect” Ernesto Hoost.

In 2007 he participated in two K-1 World GP tournaments held in Honolulu, Hawaii and Las Vegas, Nevada splitting his fights in both events 1-1. In May 2008 he made his World Combat League debut in the 235 lb (107 kg) division fighting for the team the New York Clash. Barry had four fights and a record of 3–1 in the promotion and fought with the team through the championships. But also in May of 2008 Barry came across another sport and he decided to give it a shot mixed martial arts, Barry made his MMA debut on May 30, 2008 with the Combat USA organization. While Barry was there he fought 3 times over 4 months, winning two of those fights via TKO with his patented devastating leg kicks, and his other win was a fight by KO, ending each of his bouts in the first round. Barry found his niche.

On December 27, 2008, Barry made his MMA debut with the largest MMA promotion in the world the UFC. Barry was successful in his debut against Dan Evenson, at UFC 92, as Barry showed the world what he’s capable of injuring Evenson’s left knee with a tree hacking right low kick and it was only the 3rd leg kick of the fight coming at 2:36 of Round 1. Barry then went on to lose to UFC newcomer Tim Hague by submission at UFC 98, but his next fight was against fellow kickboxer Antoni Hardonk on October 24, 2009 at UFC 104.

Barry won by second round TKO. After taking several of the leg kicks in the first round Hardonk dished out, Barry found his range in the second round with a very basic but brutal jab combinations, hurting Hardonk several times before finally dropping him and following up with strikes to finish the fight at 2:30 of round 2 for another TKO victory inside the Octagon. With that fight Barry earned Knockout of the Night and Fight of the Night honors at UFC 104, and according to the UFC, the event earned him $134,000. In an interview, Barry said he was broke, lived on ketchup and rice, and was about to be evicted in six days if anyone needed those bonuses it was Pat Barry.

Before his fight with Hardonk Barry stated in a radio interview “I still had my apartment but if something would’ve happened and the fight had been canceled, I would’ve been evicted six days later.” Barry even said he didn’t even tell his trainer Duke Roufus fearing that he would think Barry had the wrong motivation and mind set going into the fight. Barry even said he didn’t ask anyone for money including his mother “I could ask someone but then at the same time, how hard are you going to work for something if every time you get in trouble somebody catches you? I did something to put myself in this position I have to work my way out of it.” Barry got his bonus check and He couldn’t believe it, and when he went to deposit the check his truck wouldn’t start. Barry got a jump and cruised to the bank sporting a nice well earned black eye and pink striped shorts. Barry spoke on that incident as well stating:

“I go to the bank, I’m sweaty, I’ve got the black eye, I haven’t shaven in two days, I’m strung out because I haven’t slept, I have green circles under my eyes so I’m like ‘Can I have a deposit slip?’. She gives it to me, I fill it out hand it to her. She looks at the deposit slip, then the check, then looks at me and says ‘Excuse me I’ll be right back.’ Then a manager comes out, a guy in a suit and says ‘What seems to be the problem?’ I was like ‘Well I have a black eye, that’s the only problem I know this looks really ridiculous.’ So he asks me for my ID, I hand him my license and he’s like ‘Your license says Pat Barry, but this check was written to Patrick Barry.’ So I decided to be funny and tell him Pat Barry is in my trunk right now. He didn’t laugh. So I told him take your time man do whatever you need to do because I have no where to go and my truck probably wont start when I go outside so you can just do whatever you need to do. An hour later he came back and everything was fine, the check was in my bank account.”

Despite his heavy financial burden, the Hardonk fight was personal for Barry, as he was fighting a member of Ernesto Hoost’s camp. Barry claimed that Ernesto Hoost, gave up on him, resulting in a falling-out between the two. Barry also said that he had waited five years for his validation and finally got it when he defeated Hardonk.

Barry was then scheduled to fight Gilbert Yvel, but it was later changed. Instead, he fought PRIDE FC and K-1 Kickboxing legend Mirko “Cro-Cop” Filipovic at UFC 115, Barry dropped “Cro-Cop” twice in the first round but ended up losing via rear naked choke in round 3. Pat Barry sustained a broken hand and a broken foot in the fight and was placed in a wheelchair in the aftermath. Barry then served as a Team DeathClutch training partner for Brock Lesnar in his camp for his title fight with Cain Velasquez. Barry’s next fight was against Joey Beltran at UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 on January 22, 2011, in Fort Hood, Texas. In this fight, Barry used effective leg kicks in the bout to eventually wear down Beltran and win a unanimous decision to this day I and Barry both are baffled at how many leg kicks Beltran was able to withstand from Barry.

Which brings us to now, Pat Barry is now awaiting his next opponent and I was able to catch him for an interview and let me tell you something everyone, Pat Barry is the most entertaining fighter on the planet both in fighting and in interviews. Pat Barry should be known by all fight fans and anybody else for Pat Barry can teach you the true meaning of “HD” “Hype or Die”, so let me leave you to “Get Hype” for the one and only Pat Barry.

SF: Is there any particular opponent out there you want to fight next?

No one in particular, but Mark Hunt did just win his fight and Shane Carwin is in need of an opponent…but really just happy that the phone rings.

SF: In your last fight with Joey Beltran, did it surprise you by the amount of leg kicks he could take?

Fuck Yeah! He’s not human! I’ve never even kicked a bag that many times! My leg still hurts to this day. I’ve never been so baffled!

SF: For those that don’t know, can you explain to them where “Hype Or Die” came from?

Many people say it’s “More hype, less dying.” Some say “It’s because of your skill set and strong mind.” I tell people it was something you, your brother, and cousin came up with on a road trip and I get laughed at can you please clarify? What does “Mr. Hype Or Die himself have to say?” You are correct!

It came to life on a road trip. It’s a way of life, a motto we live by! Yoda said it best “Do or do not, there is no try.” In those words, we know that no matter what it is you do, if you do it with everything you’ve got you’ll be great at it! Unplug yourself from the matrix!

SF: What’s the difference in the K-1 atmosphere and the UFC atmosphere? Is there more pressure or butterflies in K-1 or the UFC? And should K-1 be bigger than it really is in the United States?

The UFC atmosphere is like going to a Red Hot Chilli Peppers concert and all they play is “Give It Away” on repeat! But a fight is a fight so there is always pressure! It would be great if K-1 was bigger! The world needs kickboxing!

SF:You have stated in past interviews you were inspired by Jean Claude Van Damme, Ernesto Hoost, and the all time great from the Street Fighter games Sagat, What did each one of these influences do to captivate your interest in kickboxing and what got you into MMA?

I’ve always wanted to be a ninja and kickboxers were the coolest looking and closest looking to me! If you want to be a ninja, you’ve got to be ready for any type of opponent. Just like in videogames, there are always different types of characters with different fighting styles to choose from. Every fight movie has different characters with different skills. The UFC is a real live videogame!

SF: I’ve followed your career through K-1 and into MMA, something many people should do. If at any point you accomplish all your MMA goals would you attempt to go back at for a shot at the K-1 World Grand Prix?

Yes! Please!

SF: One thing many people don’t know is about your Sanshou background. What did it mean to you to take part in the “Journey to the East” documentary and be dubbed by the Shaolin Temple Masters as the “True Shaolin Warrior of the West?”

It meant that all of my childhood dreams were coming true! All of the days and nights I spent fantasizing about this life became more realistic when they dubbed me that!

SF: There was an old interview where you said you were broke, lived on ketchup and rice, and were about to be evicted in six days. Can you explain to everyone that fighters make far less than people want to believe for what they do?

It’s all perception!

People assume that since we’re in magazines and on TV that we’re all millionaires like NBA and NFL. But we aren’t. We make better money than we would if we were still fighting in local shows but we don’t make as much as people think.

SF: Lets touch on your trademark interview statements of wanting to be a ninja. How did that come about? Was everyone playing cops and robbers when you were little and you went all stealth assassin? Or were you inspired by the Ninja Turtles, Ronin Warriors and all the other cartoons and martial arts films? Me being raised by father Kancho John Farrell and all the things he did through Kyokushin and Ninjitsu solidified my ninja passion. What solidified yours? And are you any closer to attaining ninja status?

Ninja Turtles, Van Damme, Sagat, and Yes, I’m one of them now!

SF: In closing, I would like to give you the floor to say whatever you want that I may have missed. Good luck in your next bout and keep flying up those ranks.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to get my words out there. To give the world a better idea of who and what I am, and what WE really are! Keep riding with me and amazing things are gonna happen!

Also, Brian Buttler at suckerpunchent.com made me a “Served” T-shirt and it’s on sale at MMAoverload.com. Grab one quick because they are flying out the door and send me a pic of yourself in it serving someone or something…so “Hype Can’t Die!”

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