Interviews
BETTENCOURT: Interviewing MMA's future - a talk with regional fighter Joe DeChaves
Dec 16, 2008 - 11:20:19 PM BETTENCOURT: Interviewing MMA's future - a talk with regional fighter Joe DeChaves

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

Walking into a Dunkin Donuts with his 155lb frame wrapped in a hoodie and a pair of jeans you wouldn’t see much of a fighter, until the hood came off and you see the cauliflower that he calls an ear; but with a record of 4-1 as an amateur and a record of 2-1 since turning professional, Joe “the Boneyard Pitbull” Dechaves deserves the title of one of the best up and comers in the Cape Cod area, in southeastern Massachusetts. His drive and heart will take him very far in our sport and his talent will only increase in time. I recently had the privilege to sit down with Joe and ask him a few questions.

Seth Bettencourt: What got you into training and fighting MMA?

Joe DeChaves: I was in the U.S. Marines and I started doing BJJ with my friend Adam Mays. We just did it for fun on the weekends. I started to get pretty good at it and I have always liked to compete. Then when we got deployed to Iraq we set up a little make shift Gym area with mats and when we weren’t busy we just trained with each other. I am just a born warrior I guess, ha-ha.

SB: Why MMA, What sets it apart from any other sport in your eyes?

JDC: We are the modern day gladiators, you put us in a cage and say go and we do. It’s like back in the days of the coliseum, where you put these two guys together and tell them to fight to the death. When the cage closes you find out what kind of man you are. No other sport can make you feel like the way you feel in the cage.

SB: How do you classify your self as a fighter? Are you a brawler, grappler, or more of a hybrid fighter?

JDC: I am more hybrid than anything, depends on the fight I am going into, for the most part I feel it out and if I can win with a submission I will, but I would like to win with a knockout. In this sport you have to be well rounded because if your not your opponent will find your weakness and use it against you.

SB: What is your pre fight diet/ training routine?

JDC: My diet is a lot of complex carbs fruit and lean protein; it all is portioned out by my strength coach Greame Prue. For my routine on Mondays I do my Conditioning in the morning and BJJ at night. Tuesday is Team training with all full sparring then conditioning at the end. Wednesday morning is Muay Thai sparring. Friday morning is conditioning then light sparring. Thursday and Saturday is REST. Sunday is Open mat and I will do a personal session with my coach Bobby Dias.

SB: Your in the final round and you have thirty-seconds left what gives you that last little bit of heart to make it?

JDC: The Marines gave me a determined, never give up attitude, that is my biggest drive, also I don’t want to let down my coaches, fiancée, and sponsors, so I will never give up.

SB: What are some of your "rituals" before a fight?

JDC: I don’t really have any "rituals" I just like to get my hands wrapped and glove up a.s.a.p., I slap my head phones on and get my self mentally ready for a war.

SB: What music did you walk out to at your last fight and why?

JDC: I walked out to “go to sleep” by Eminem my last fight because this fight had to be postponed due to an injury to my rib and this kid wanted to run his mouth the whole time before we finally met. My music all depends on the situations that have led up to the fight.

SB: How did that fight end?

JDC: Just like the song said, he went to sleep by an anaconda choke at 4:43 in the first round. I guess he should have tapped.

SB: What fighter do you aim to be like?

JDC: Anderson Silva, because no matter how good he is he is a humble fighter. He never talks junk about his opponent. He lets his actions in the cage do the talking. He is a great role model for any fighter as well as the sport.

SB: When are you planning to fight again?

JDC: February 28th at Whites of Westport in Westport MA for Full Force productions untamed 26. I’ll be fighting Wayne Harnois from Team Brute Force. He has tricky BJJ but I’m going to work hard to make sure I come out on top.

As far as I have seen the "Boneyard Pitbull" has what it takes to be great in this sport; he has a great attitude, and great drive, not to mention some excellent submissions and vicious fists. Keep an eye out for this up and coming fighter.

[DeChaves Photo courtesy of MMA Photography]