"Rukus" — a Colorado native — is one of the fastest rising stars in the UFC and recently sat down with us for a quick bout of 10 Questions.
As one of the fastest-rising stars in the UFC, hometown badass Brandon “Rukus” Thatch has ripped through the competition recently with 10 straight wins in his professional career — all in the first round. His next fight — the main event — is Feb 14 at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, CO. He’s a baaaad man!
Watch below for a special promotional video from Blurred Pictures and RoosterTV's episode of "The Feast" featuring Thatch.
1. What’s a stranger’s reaction when you tell them you’re a professional fighter?
I’m not sure; it’s different every time. A lot of the time people don’t realize I’m a fighter at first, but I think it’s cheesy when I tell them, ‘Oh I’m a fighter,’ right away. It’s just not the perception I give off, I think.
2. We heard you used to drive up to colleges for paid fights as a teen? Is there any truth to the myth?
[Laughs] No, I think you heard something about this: There was a college fight night at one of the bars. It was CSU vs. CU, and one of my buddies — I was still in high school at the time — he was like, ‘Dude, you should come up here and pretend you’re on CSU’s squad,’ when in reality I was fuckin’ 17. The night before I was drinking and being a knuckle-head, but I went up there and I smoked one guy, then I was like, ‘let’s get out of here.’ Then they told me there was two more fights. I was so out of shape that I puked. But I won the whole thing.
3. Do people still fuck with you at bars and step up just because you’re a fighter?
Not really, I hang around pretty mellow dudes. Every now and then we’ll get into stuff, but it’s never really me who’s involved. I’m more or less the guy who’s telling everyone to chill out. I’m pretty good with my words and keep my nose clean and it’s easy for me to walk away.
4. How many hours a week are you in the gym?
I train up to three times a day depending on the day, usually twice a day and then Saturday and Sunday off.
5. What part about it do you absolutely hate?
I think waking up early is the hardest part for me. I’m not a morning person in the least. It’s hard to get up in the morning when it’s cold, to get on a cold mat, to do physical activities — let alone get punched in the face. Once I’m there though — I have the best guys at Team Elevation — I have a blast; it’s not that big of a deal after that.
6. Is getting knocked out anything like falling in love?
You know, I’ve never been knocked out, so I’m gonna go ahead and knock on some wood. I’ve been flash knocked out, just kinda dropped, but I’ve never been put out-out. I’ve been choked out before and that’s just kinda like going to sleep [laughs] … having a nice little dream.
7. You spin fire in your off time as well, yes?
Yah I spin poi; it’s something I’ve been doing forever. I played with glow-sticks when I was younger at the club, that’s how it started. I just zone out while I’m doing it. It’s something I do to escape from my world … put some headphones in and spin some poi.
8. What types of music are you into the most?
I’m really into house, G-house, trap music — even though that’s getting played out — I’ll listen to Pantera or White Zombie on Pandora, heavier stuff, when I lift weights. I’ll always like hip-hop, like Hieroglyphics and Souls of Mischief, hip-hop like that.
9. How do you fuel up for your daily routine?
A lot of my food that I eat during my camp is prepared by Ready Fit Go. It’s prepackaged meals, but it’s healthy meals you can eat on the go. They have a store so you don’t even have to order all the time. It’s convenient and healthy, not just garbage. It’s good fuel. I like Korean barbeque a lot, too, that’s always bomb.
10. What does the future look like for a fighter such as yourself?
Right now, it’s just one fight at a time. If I continue to win these fights the future is gonna be bright. I just need to focus on this fight at hand, and get this “W” right now. That’s all I’m thinking about.
Stats:
Age: 29
Hometown: Denver, CO
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 170 (Welterweight)
Style: Muy Thai striker
Record: 11 – 1 – 0
Cover photo provided by Rebecca Slaughter, shot behind the scenes with Blurred Pictures for Ruckus Apparel video shoot.
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