Richie Whitson

Stats

Fighting out of: Temecula, California
MMA record: 11-1
Weight: 155
Height: 5'9"
Age: 25

Born and raised in Sitka Alaska, the heavy-handed Whitson holds a  10-1 mixed martial arts record. He currently trains out of Temecula, CA with Team Quest.

 

Richie's Bio from Spike TV

Richie's Wikipedia listing

TUF 9 Application Questions & Answers

1. How did you get started in MMA?

I started watching the UFC when I was really young and always wanted to try it myself. After boxing all through high school I found an MMA event in Alaska called the AFC. I tried it out and i loved it so I just kept fighting.

2. Where do you train?

About 6 months ago I moved out to Temecula, California to train with Team Quest and it’s probably one of the best decisions I have ever made.

3. You’re actually from Alaska, was it a culture shock when you moved to California?

California is definitely a lot different from Alaska, but I had already done some traveling in different countries and states so I wouldn’t say it was a culture shock for me.

4. What did your family think when you moved to California to pursue MMA?

My family, friends and the whole town of Sitka, Alaska was very supportive of me and they all want me to succeed.

5. You actually beat Ray Cooper in your last fight. He defeated Jake Shields and Hermes Franca. What are your thoughts on that big win?

That win is what gave me confidence that I could go out and make it in this sport. If I wouldn’t have won that fight I probably wouldn’t have moved away and pursued my dream of fighting for a living.

6. How did you become a member of Team Quest?

I have always been a big fan of Dan Henderson and he has a great team in Cali so I pretty much just up and moved there without talking to the Team Quest or anything. My first day at practice Bryan Harper noticed me and invited me to train with the pro team so that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.

7. While cutting weight what is the hardest thing to cut out of your diet?

For me the hardest thing to cut out of my diet is candy. I have a horrible sweat tooth. when I’m not training for a fight Ii eat candy every day.

8. What kind of music do you like?

I listen to a lot of underground hip hop. I like guys like Phonetic, Brother Ali, Apathy, Zion I, Grouch and Murs.

9. If you weren’t fighting what do you think you would be doing?

I worked as a commercial fisherman before I started fighting so I would probably be doing that still.

10. What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

I have never really had a job that was all that bad so I can’t really pick one. I know the best job is fighting and the hardest job is fishing.