Fighter Spotlight: Shannon Gugerty, Gareth Joseph and Casey Ryan
Get those fighting fists up, San Diego! MMA, professional mixed martial arts is making a comeback, and you’re invited to witness the revival. The Uprising, CFS California’s premier fight league comes to 4th & B in the heart of downtown San Diego on Sunday July 24th—your exclusive chance to get in on the fighter action.
Home-grown Headliner: Featured in the main event is our own local fighter, UFC veteran and National MMA star Shannon Gugerty, fighting for a World Title belt and facing former WEC warrior Cruz Gomez. The other San Diego locals bringing the heat on the card for the night include Gareth Joseph and Strikeforce veteran Casey Ryan. MMA fans and San Diego sports enthusiasts alike are already doing their warm-up stretches in preparation to watch the night of many fights, live.
Five of the fighters in The Uprising come from Victory MMA and Fitness, a San Diego gym that trains fighters and everyone else to be a fighter. From kick boxing to yoga and cross fit classes, this gym brings it hot to San Diego, located conveniently on Midway Drive. Top trainers teach classes and certification in MMA, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and boxing, from beginners to professional levels.
We sat down with three of the fighters prepping for their July 24th fights to find out how they got started in their distinctive careers, their methods of staying in shape, and where they like to party with the rest of San Diego.
DiscoverSD: How did you each get started in fighting? What was your career path like?
Shannon: Fighting chose me. I wanted to be a Jiu Jitsu black belt, but the Jiu Jitsu competitions didn’t pay anything.
Gareth: I began fighting after college wrestling wasn't fun anymore. My first fight was only after 2 weeks of training.
Casey: I started Jiu Jitsu when I was 13, fell in love with it and it became a career. I ended up choosing fighting over Jiu Jitsu because there’s a lot more girls and groupies in fighting.
DSD: What’s an average day of training for you like?
S: About 2-4 hours a day, 6 days a week.
G: Usually 2 workouts: One consisting of technique and fight training and another for strength and fitness.
C: I usually teach Jiu Jitsu in the mornings, then right after I have fight training, sparring, wrestling. Then usually go home to eat, rest a little bit, teach again, then boxing coach or sprints, teach one more time, then call it a day. For five days a week.
DSD: What sort of diet do you have to be on in training? Does that affect your social life?
S: Hell yes. I eat clean and healthy during training camp and the exact opposite when I don’t have a fight.
G: I pretty much always eat well and healthy, it just gets a little more strict as the fight gets closer. The only part that affects my social life would not being allowed to drink.
C: It does affect my social life because I can’t drink. For the most part I just try to eat a little healthier. My life sucks on the diet, but again, I do it for the groupies.
DSD: What do you do to stay sane amidst all the training?
S: I’m big on boxing and fishing.
G: I like to play video games, and I read a lot of health and wellness stuff online. For the most part though, sleep is the best way to stay sane.
C: I read, I hang out with my family, but really fighting is my only hobby.
DSD: Is there a special lady in your life? How does she deal with your schedule and lifestyle?
S: Yes I do have a girlfriend. And she’s very respectful when I have a fight and knows to leave me alone.
G: Yes and she has a very busy schedule as well, and enjoys the lifestyle that I have. She's great (bonus points!)
C: No, I don’t have a girlfriend. Fighting is my girlfriend.
DSD: How supportive is your family?
S: Very supportive. My dad and brothers go to all of my fights.
G: Most of my family is 100% now, but when I first got into fighting not all of them were. My mom, aunt and uncle have always been really supportive.
C: Kind of supportive. My mom thinks I should go to hair school.
DSD: What do you do outside fighting? Any other work or hobbies that you enjoy?
S: I enjoy spending time with my dog, and I love watching movies.
G: I enjoy being outdoors. I love to snowboard and travel. I work as a bartender downtown at Las Hadas, which sometimes puts a damper on my sleep schedule.
C: Boozing and whoring are my hobbies.
DSD: What types of music do you blast to get you pumped up before fighting? What do you like to put on to wind down?
S: I listen to soothing music before my fights such as reggae and Kenny G., Barry Manilow, and Toby Keith. Anything and everything to wind down.
G: I like electronic music a lot to get me moving around. To wind down I listen to Jack Johnson or similar.
C: Rap to get pumped up and country to wind down.
DSD: How do you enjoy spending your time after a fight? Traveling? Vacations?
S: Exotic vacations down to Mexico
G: I love to party with all my friends and family that make it out to my fight and of course all my teammates. I usually always take a little vacation after my fights to somewhere else, doesn't matter where…
C: Drinking and dancing at Beachwood.
DSD: Who in the industry would you fight?
S: Merritte Powell, owner of La Puerta. One time he didn’t bring my carne asada fries fast enough.
G: Evan Lopez from Hard Rock… just because lol
C: Justin Lopez because he’s a purple belt. He might actually win though, because he doesn’t drink and he trains consistently.
DSD: What is your greatest achievement in fighting?
S: Most people would say fighting and winning at UFC 100, but I feel that I haven’t reached it yet.
G: Fighting on the same card as Fedor for Strikeforce.
C: Fighting for Strike Force, a huge organization and WINNING.
DSD: Lastly, how do you celebrate a big win? What are your favorite spots to hit up around San Diego?
S: By going to some of my favorite spots- Bully’s . Fleetwood, La Puerta.
G: I usually do the rounds and go say hello to everyone downtown being in the induste: Stingaree, BarWest, Fluxx, Hard Rock.
C: I like Beachwood, Fleetwood, and Bar West.
DSD: What can we expect for the after-party at Bar West on the night of the fight?
S: Celebrate with the people that mean the most to me.
G: You are in for a treat, and I am sure you will get a little wet with champagne… it’s gonna get crazy!
C: We’re not gonna remember it, that’s how it’s gonna go down.
Want to meet these guys yourself? Catch The Uprising at 4th & B on Sunday July 24th, or visit Victory MMA and Fitness to start training with them today! The Uprising is for the 21 and up crowd and brings real live MMA to our city. Doors open at 3pm and fights start at 4pm, with music by DJ Brett Bodley.
Discount: DISCOVERSD INSIDER DISCOUNT: visit combattickets.com & enter promo code "discoversd".
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