Rex Richards is a former offensive lineman for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and a practice-squad member of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He made his mixed martial arts debut in 2005, and has lost only one professional fight since that time (to rising UFC star Shane Carwin) while compiling an 8-1 record.
Inside Fights associate editor Brian Oswald is in Lubbock, Texas for the Shark Fights show, where Richards will fight. Rex joined Brian to answer a few questions before today’s weigh-in took place.
Check back in a few hours for Brian’s interviews with former Ultimate Fighter star Jesse Taylor and Shark Fights President Jim Larson.
Brian: How have you been able to translate your NFL experience into a practical application for the sport of MMA?
Rex: Being in the NFL, I have always been able to tackle someone so I can get someone to the ground as fast as anyone in MMA. So, that kind of served me as my wrestling base to start. So picking up wrestling was a natural transition with my NFL background and also my desired fight style. I have been doing the big slams, the double leg, and the single leg. If I can tackle an all star running back, I can tackle an MMA fighter.
Brian: Your one of the best success stories of a crossover star from the NFL to MMA. What has your athleticism meant for you in regard to that transition?
Rex: Athleticism and power translate great into any sport. I am not necessarily saying I have the most power and athleticism in MMA but what I do have gives me an advantage over a lot of heavyweights out there to be explosive and knock people out. Also, to be flexible enough to do complicated submissions.
Brian: Do you think the trend of NFL stars making the transition to MMA is going to continue?
Rex: Absolutely, I think you’re going to see a lot of big powerful athletes crossing over into MMA. Now that you can actually make a good living in the sport and now that it has evolved from more marginal to mainstream. Competing one-on-one can be so much more personable and gratifying when you win.
The sport of MMA has gone so far in the last ten years, give it ten more years and it is going to be unbelievable. It’s going to be a bit scary seeing what types of fighters step into the cage in the future.
Brian: So as the money increases in the sport, kids that would have grown up to be 300 pound lineman are going to consider MMA as their sport and then, the sport will have access to some of the best athletes in the world. Would you agree with that statement?
Rex: I would. An athlete is an athlete. All sports hard and the best athletes are willing to put in the time. And the best want to make 600,000 a year, not 60,000. Back to your point, when the money in MMA increases and it is, the sky is the limit for the growth of this sport.
Some of the guys playing football now may not be too keen on taking their helmet off though. They have probably used to protecting their pretty faces. Thankfully, I don’t have that problem!
Brian: On that note, do you think that the MMA fighter can be more marketable then an NFL star because they are more visible and seem more accessible to fans.
Rex: I think if you look at the MMA scene right now, it is already heading in that direction.
MMA fighters are built to be stars because they have to be a character, or have a good persona that really sells the fight. It’s the sports entertainment aspect of the sport. So like the sport, the potential for MMA fighters to be big Hollywood stars is also unlimited.
