MMA Recap

Recapping with Jim Wallhead - I Just Keep Getting Stronger

by Brent Todd - 02-23-2010

If the name Jim Wallhead sounds familiar, it's probably due to the group of guys he trains with.  Training out of Team Rough House in Leicester, England, Wallhead trains with the likes of Paul Daley, Dan Hardy, Andre Winner and many others.  MMA Recap's Brent Todd caught up with Wallhead to discuss his entrance into the season two Bellator welterweight tournament as well as his thoughts on his career, training camp, and coming close to being selected for "The Ultimate Fighter".

"Judo" Jim as he is known, got into fighting at the young age of seven.  But how he started with learning judo was a total accident.  "I started taking judo classes at the age of seven.  My mom took me to a judo class on accident after watching the karate kid.  That's how I got into martial arts.  I got into mixed martial arts by pure chance.  I went to a show and then someone offered me an opportunity and I took it."

Wallhead thought he had his opportunity to compete for one of the big organizations with season nine of "The Ultimate Fighter".  Unfortunately for him, he was pegged as an alternate, and did not make the show.  "I was very disappointed.  I thought I was getting in based on what people were telling me.  Obviously I was misled and stuff.  At the time a lot of hopes were going on that.  That was the beginning of 2009 and I got the call saying I would be an alternate.  I was really depressed.  I had a fight lined up with M1 and I got injured and got ill.  It was just a crappy start to the year.  It's only now that I am back in the grove and it has made me stronger.  You have to play your cards and enjoy the road."

That road as it turns out has brought him to Bellator's welterweight tournament.  Wallhead recalls his thoughts on getting that call to participate.  "Over the moon.  I was absolutely over the moon.  Last season there were great fights and a great production.  It seems like every day they are signing a brilliant fighter and lots of strength.  I cannot wait to be apart of something special.  It's going to be a great experience.  I hope to go a long way."

The welterweight tournament is already stacked with names like Sean Pierson, Ben Askren and Dan Hornbuckle.  But Wallhead doesn't care who he fights first.  "No one in particular.  There's five guys signed right now, and all of them are going to be a good fight.  Sooner or later I will fight one of them.  I think Hornbuckle is the favorite for whatever reason.  He's very good and I think I can take a fight to him.  Whoever it is will have to beat me up and really really kick my ass cause I'm not gonna fall over for them.  I hope my opponent brings the best."

And it is because it is a tournament, that Wallhead things his opponent will bring his best.  "Its a great format.  You will only get the best at the end.  No one is picking the guy who gets the title shot.  I think the tournament format brings out the best in everyone.  There's a nice big check at the end, and I think everyone will progress well.  I think it pushes the fighters to perform well."

Wallhead, like many, are worried about the one thing that could prevent him from continuing on with the tournament: injuries.  "Obviously I am worried about injuries and cuts.  I don't know how it went last year.  I didn't hear anything about that.  I hope that everyone can get through injury free.  I hate to be selfish, but I don't want to get injured."

And the tournament format is forcing Wallhead to change up his training camp just a bit so that he can be his best and come through with as few injuries as possible.  "I am training a lot more aggressive now.  Getting stronger and a better fitness.  I am covering all aspects of the game.  I don't know who I am facing yet.  I will have a plan A and a plan B.  So I am getting everything ready."

As for his thoughts on the current champion Lyman Good, Wallhead just wants to perform well.  "He's a tough guy.  An aggressive striker.  He won last year.  He's a champion.  It would be great to fight him.  I don't ever say I want to be the champ, all I care about is fighting against the best guys out there and perform to my best.  Even if I lose, yeah I will be upset, but if I can look in the mirror and say I did my best.  All these guys are good."

It's this wanting to perform well attitude that has Wallhead not worried about avenging any losses like other fighters.  "I'm not bothered.  All of my losses have been a blessing in disguise.  There's a reason why I lost each of those fights.  No excuses.  And every fight I lost, I got better.  My first two losses came because I wasn't more than a judo guy.  Then I picked up a couple of submission losses because my jiu jitsu wasn't that good.  Then I lost a decision and I realized my conditioning wasn't that good.  I haven't lost since.    I have won 11 out of my last 12 and just keep getting stronger."

But that doesn't mean he doesn't have a favorite fight.  That came in June of 2008 against Fabricio Nascimento.  "My favorite fight has to be against Fabricio Nascimento.  It was just a really entertaining fight.  The week prior there was a tv crew following me around for "high maintenance husbands" which was interesting.  I dominated the fight and won.  The crowd went crazy.  The end of that fight with all the tv cameras it was just euphoric."

Wallhead credits his gym for bringing out the best in him.  A year ago, not many people knew of the gym, and suddenly the guys fighting out of "Team Rough House" are known names.  "We got a wicked team. Paul Daley, Dan Hardy, Ross Pearson, Andre Winner, Nick Osipczak, Dean Amasinger, we got loads of talent.  And there's guys that people don't know because they will be the next generation.  There's a lot of great wrestlers coming up.  We are going to run the show at least in European if not the world."

As for what he does when he isn't fighting, Wallhead is a family man first and foremost.  "I spend all my time with my family and my daughter.  Relax.  Good food, watch a movie.  Spend time with my brothers and sisters.  I don't like to go out drinking.  I just like quality time with the people that matter."

Wallhead's breakfast doesn't include cereal, but it does include some homemade pancakes.  "I make these pancakes out of egg whites, oats, protein powder, blue berries and a bit of honey.  I don't really eat cereal."

Wallhead would like to thank "NRG Fuel, Tokyo Five, and everyone for all of their support."

Image provided by sherdog.com

RVCA BJ Penn X Frost Fleece - $61.99 Cotton/polyester brushed fleece pullover Ribbed cuffs and hem with drawcord at hood openining Prints on front, back, and sleeves Available in S, M, L, XL, and XXL Click To Purchase