Darrick Patrick's Blog

10 Questions With Allan Love (by Darrick Patrick)

Darrick: What was the path that led you to competing professionally in mixed martial arts?

Allan: I was a huge pro wrestling fan as a kid, then again as a teenager, and it was definitely pro wrestling that led me to MMA. I did Karate as a kid and totally hated it. I actually managed to fail a grading at a Karate school. I showed that much disinterest. I'm now kind of proud of that.

I was watching a lot of WWF and was a mark for Ken Shamrock, so I bought UFC 3 on VHS. I watched it and it was rubbish. It put me off MMA until the Ken Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz fight when I started to get drawn in. I watched the Tito Ortiz vs. Frank Shamrock match and fell in love with the sport. After that, I was hooked and started to get really into it.

When I left university, I moved to get a job. So, I stopped playing rugby and started doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Then from there into training MMA. I became a bit obsessed with it, probably because I was in a strange city without a network of friends. All I did was train. A year later, I had my first amateur fight. A year and a bit later after that, I fought pro for the first time.

Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?

Allan: Number one is my coach/friend/training partner Paul McVeigh. In fact, the same goes for James Doolan as well, and Garry Christie and John Nicholson for that matter. These guys were and are the heart of the Dinky Ninja Fight Team that I train with. They were the first people doing mixed martial arts in Scotland and are really in a big way responsible for there being a half-decent MMA scene in Scotland. They were there breaking barriers for the sport while at the same time trying to train and become better fighters when there was no one there to train them. They had to work it out for themselves.

On a higher profile note, I've got a load of respect for Vitor Belfort. He's been through so much during his long career, obviously the stuff with his sister being the biggest thing. To still be at the top of the game and be one of the top three middleweights in the world is phenomenal.

Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?

Allan: Ripping off the Nike slogan here but, "Just do it!" Find a good gym and get involved. It's far too easy to find reasons to put it off, saying things like I'll start MMA once I get fit. Don't worry about it, just get involved. Find a local gym that's producing professional and amateur fighters that are doing at least okay and train there. If you live in a big city, try a few places to see which one gives you a good vibe and go there. It's all good fun. Don't be scared, homie!

Darrick: Your next scheduled fight is against Ignas Petkus on May 24th. What are your thoughts about this upcoming match?

Allan: It's good to be back in there. I've not fought since October and that wasn't the best memory to receive taking quite a brutal loss, so I'm super keen to get back in there and get back to winning ways. It's an interesting fight. I really need to get back to winning, but at the same time I need to put on a performance as well. It really is critical that I do well. It's the first time I've trained for a fight away from my home gym in Glasgow and I've had to take a different approach to my training. There has been a lot less sparring than what I'd usually do. Still can't wait to get in there and do what I'm capable of.

Darrick: What brings you the most fulfillment out of martial arts?

Allan: I don't really think of what I do as a martial art. Martial arts kind of freak me out. What I really get out of this is a real buzz from the problem solving aspect of it. Every opponent is a puzzle and you need to solve that puzzle. Either by developing new tools to solve the problem (like learning a different single leg set-up for example) or by getting better at using the tools you already have, like sharpening up your cross. Coming out to the gym each day knowing you've added something to your ability is just so rewarding. That and hitting people is fun.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Allan: Number one is my dad. An obvious one, but he really was a huge influence on me. I have so much respect for him. He's got a great work ethic and he's a great person. He is someone everyone gets on with, but is still a sensible and responsible type. Whenever somebody says I'm becoming like my dad, I feign insult but take secret pride in it.

On a different note, my Under 18 rugby coach Innes was an influence. From a sporting perspective, he was huge on me. I'd played rugby since I was eight years old, but I'd always been coached by a teammate's dad. It was always very friendly, let's all get along, and have fun-type stuff. When I started training with Innes, he took our kiddie team and turned us into animals. He was a huge character and borderline crazy. A big, intimidating guy and swore as well as anyone I've met. Everyone that was coached by him remembers him with a mix of fondness and fear. He was the guy that made me mentally tough and that's been huge for me. He also had amazing patter like, "Drop your cocks and reach for your socks, shaggers!"

Darrick: Outside of MMA, what are your other interests?

Allan: I love music. Metal, hardcore, and Hip Hop mostly, but I can get into anything on the right day. If forced to be picky though, I'm a metal fan. Across the whole range of metal, I'm into it. Guys hate getting into my car for road trips, especially if I'm in a black metal mood. Nothing gets weight-cutting fighters more angry than a four-hour drive listening to Immortal, Emperor, and Dissection. Well, except for maybe getting told the story of each band and where they fell on the whole Euronymous/Varg Vikernes thing.

Apart from that, I'm a huge football fan. I try to get down to watch my local team whenever I can. Unbelievably, as soon as I move to Australia, we qualify for the Champions League. I've watched some atrocious Motherwell sides in my time and they choose now to become good!

Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.

Allan: I'm worried this interview is a bit boring, so I'm dropping a good one here. I don't think anyone that isn't family knows this. When I was about eight years old, I was taken into the hospital as I was having serious stomach pains. They were worried I had appendicitis and that my appendix may need to be removed. Turns out I was just really constipated and all that was needed was the removal of a big poo! A nurse shoved two fingers up there to check. From that day on I knew I could never be gay.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Allan: Getting a finger shoved up my bum in the hospital...nah, in seriousness, I think it was my third birthday. My dad and (current, not at the time) step-mum were there. I had a cake in the shape of a bear and I got a little brown cassette recorder. Or maybe I'm combining two memories here.

Also, every second Thursday my dad would go to the pub but I was always told he was going to a meeting. In my young mind, the only meeting I knew of was the House of Parliament from my grandpa watching Question Time on TV. So, I thought every Thursday my dad went and sat on the back benches of Westminster rather than on a bar stool at the Railway Tavern.

Darrick: If you were stuck in a bomb shelter for the rest of your life, what three items would you take in with you besides food and water?

Allan: How's the 3G/Wi-Fi signal in there? Assuming it's good, I'd have a laptop, lube, and cleaning supplies. If there wasn't any signal available, I'd instead take a fully loaded iPod, Mila Kunis, and something to mask the smell so the neighbors wouldn't complain.

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