ZenRhino's MMA Blog: 10 Questions With Ronnie Rogers

Ronnie "Bam Bam" Rogers

I am lucky because of the many friendships I have made because of Mixed Martial Arts. I have seen some amazing events and been able to see live some of the best up-and-coming fighters as well as some established veterans. (not to mention a few legends of the sport) I have met some incredible people in the process of being both a fan and a journalist covering local/regional/national MMA - from promoters, managers, coaches/instructors, and fighters to commentators/announcers, journalists, cage girls, vendors/sponsors, production staff, photographers, and members of the athletic commission. (can't forget the many awesome fans who attend events & support the 'stars of tomorrow' in MMA by going to the local/regional shows & buying from the companies that sponsor their favorite fighters)

Over the past 15 months or so I have watched & met several fighters who have moved up the MMA food-chain to fight for bigger promotions and be seen fighting on TV. But another way I get to see a glimpse of fighters who will be future stars of MMA is because of some of the friendships I have made through social media websites & the people I have become friends with on them.

One of these fighters I am talking about as someone to watch in 2013 is Ronnie Rogers. I haven't had the honor of meeting "Bam" in person yet, but I hope to do so in the near future. I found out about Ronnie because of his manager, Molly Hoskinson of Southern MMA Mgt. I met some of her fighters (Noe Quintanilla & D'Juan Owens) when they fought on Complete Devastation MMA fight cards, and finally got to meet her in person at Complete Devastation 6 back in September when her fighter (Antwan Penn) was fighting and again at CD 7 in November when Noe faced the same opponent that Antwan fought at the previous Complete Devastation event. As Molly & I talked more I learned about other fighters that she managed - and one of them was this fighter she described as a name I needed to know, because he would be someone I would see fighting for the major MMA promotions you watch on TV very soon.

Molly is someone worth listening to, she knows what she is talking about, especially when it comes to MMA and DEFINITELY when it comes to her fighters. So, when I heard that Ronnie would be on an internet radio show called MMA Mayhem over at theBBSN.com I made sure to check it out to see what she was talking about. (that interview featuring Ronnie Rogers can be heard here at this link for BBSN Radio - MMA Mayhem 34.) Around that time in October Ronnie was fighting Jeremy Myers at Bull City Brawl 10. After watching the video of his fight it's hard not to be a fan of "Bam" - he's a fighter that always put on a great show for the fans paying their money to watch 2 fighters battle it out, not holding back & letting it all in the cage. That's the best way I can describe how he fights, and you can bet on an exciting/entertaining fight - and when a fighter gives their all for the fans you can't help but like & respect them win or lose.

After his submission win by scissor choke over Myers at 4:12 of the 1st Round, Rogers was signed to fight at Warfare 7: Invasion against seasoned veteran Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett. This was a good test to see what Ronnie could do against a fighter with the experience Bennett has. Bennett has faced such big-name fighters as Urijah Faber, Jeff Curran, Takanori Gomi, Duane Ludwig, Drew Fickett, KJ Noons and Yoshiro Maeda - and even though "Krazy Horse" defeated only Noons & Maeda of the people on this list, having fought fighters of this calibre would be an asset against anyone. To his credit, Rogers has faced some high quality fighters like his opponent - as shown by the fact that almost every loss on Roger's record came to fighters that have since fought for promotions like the XFC, Strikeforce & even the UFC. (most notably being current UFC fighter, John Cofer from TUF season 15 and former UFC veteran Rich Clementi.)

There was tons of hype & trash-talking leading up to this fight between Rogers & Bennett- on both social media websites & on internet radio shows. Bennett appeared on one program and said things which resulted in a very heated verbal interaction when both fighters were on another program being interviewed at the same time. These two interviews were not what you'd call "family friendly" and because they could definitely fit into the "not safe for work" category I won't provide the links to those interviews... if you REALLY want to hear what went down, look it up through an internet search. A recap of that interview with Ronnie & "Krazy Horse" is part of another interview with "Bam" over at the MMAmadhouse program Cage Fire Radio. You can replay that interview at this link for MMAmadhouse.com's Cage Fire Radio 17.

The fight ended up with another win for Rogers, this time by triangle choke at 3:50 of the 1st Round. Ronnie ended 2012 with a 2 fight win streak and a huge opportunity to fight for major MMA promotion Bellator MMA against a tough competitor, Shane Crenshaw at Bellator 88 on February 7th in Duluth, Ga. Ronnie was almost fighting on the XFC 19 fight card, but when headliner Corey Hill's main event fight fell through Ronnie's potential opponent was tapped to fight in what then became the main event fight of XFC 19. Hard work & determination payed off - and now Rogers has the opportunity to fight for what many people are calling the #2 MMA promotion, second only to the UFC now that the Strikeforce promotion is holding its final event later this month after being purchased by the parent company that owns the UFC. This could be the big break that puts Ronnie "Bam Bam" Rogers on the map as an up-and-coming fighter to watch on a national level, not just being known on the local/regional circuit.

I'm not psychic, but from what I have seen of Ronnie Rogers I predict big things coming from him in 2013 & beyond. He's a father & husband who has studied criminal justice in college who is trying to make it in MMA - a sport he loves. Ronnie says he found MMA because it is part of his nature. It is hard to deny he has that warrior spirit when you watch him do what he does in the cage. With his family, friends & team-mates and tons of fans behind him - hopefully success is in his future for a long time to come... and when it does it couldn't happen to a nicer guy!

I'm glad that my good friend Molly 'introduced' me to "Bam", and hopefully I get the chance to meet him in person before he becomes the next big thing in MMA. It's always nice to be able to say "I knew them when..."

So... remember the name Ronnie "Bam Bam" Rogers. If I'm right you will be hearing his name alot as 2013 progresses.

I am grateful that Ronnie agreed to participate in my series of interview articles. I was left with nothing to post after having an interview subject end up not finishing the process so I could have an interview to post. I reached out to Ronnie on short notice... and he quickly agreed to be interviewed - it took just a few hours (less than an average work day) for Rogers to respond with the material necessary for me to turn it into this article/interview. I appreciate him taking time from his busy workout schedule to help me with this post, I wish every article was this easy to create. A send out a huge THANK YOU to "Bam" for being so generous with his time.

Having said all of that, I'll end the intro & let the interview part of this article begin.

Here's 10 Questions With Ronnie "Bam Bam" Rogers.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Ronnie "Bam Bam" Rogers, most just call me "Bam". I'm 28 years old and from Seneca, SC. I fight at 145lbs, but I have fought all the way up to 170. My pro record is 16 - 10. I have fought for many different promotions, such as Wild Bill's, Fight Lab, Ring Of Combat, and Warfare - just to name a few.

2. How did you get started in MMA?

I wrestled in high school a bit. I guess you could say wrestling led me into MMA, but honestly I started training MMA because I feel that this is what I was born to do. I believe it is in my nature.

3. What is it like training out of your gym?

I train at a few different gyms. I get my stand up at H.I.T. Elite Training Center and there are a few up-and-coming fighters from there for sure. My friend, Steven Jordan, fights at Light Heavyweight & Heavyweight there and he just fought his first ammy fight. He has a bright future ahead of him - he gives the fans what they like to see. Steven knocks people out. I also train with James Linic for my Jiu-Jitsu & MMA at Linic Mixed Martial Arts. I get my strength & conditioning from Daniel Terry at his gym called Sweat. We also do some sparring from time to time.

4. What do you feel your strengths are as a fighter? What aspects of your training do you feel you need to work on to become a more complete fighter?

I feel that my main strength is that I'm not great in any one area of MMA, but that I'm very good at all aspects of MMA. At wrestling, jits or striking, I feel that I can hang with almost anyone. And I believe that I'm good enough in other areas that I can avoid the strong points of my opponents. As far as what I can work on... you can never have enough cardio.

5. Who are some of your role models?

In MMA I'd have to say Ben Henderson - he is a very well rounded & tough fighter that comes to finish fights/ I don't know if you could ask for someone more respectable. In life just my fans and family that stand behind me no matter how a fight ends.

6. Which of your previous fights do you feel is your favorite? Is there any fighter on your record you would like to fight again?

My favorite fight I'd have to say would be against Lawson McClure, because it was early in both of our careers and we both put out there and just banged. There are many I'd like to fight again for many reasons. Some due to it was just a fun fight, or an injury was involved, or because I felt like I won the fight. Jason Wood is one I'd like to fight again, as well as Jeremy Joles, Joe Elmore, & Kurt Holobough.

7. If you could choose your next fight, who would you pick for your opponent?

Well, I'm getting to fight one of the best fighters on the local scene for my next fight, (Shane Crenshaw) and the other fighter I'd like to fight if I could make it happen would definitely be Jordan Rinaldi.

8. When is the next fight you're having (against Shane Crenshaw) and what promotion is it for?

I'm fighting on February 7th in Duluth, Ga. for the Bellator MMA promotion at Bellator 88.

9. Where do you see your MMA career being in the next 2 - 5 years? What are your goals in MMA?

I'm hoping to still be in Bellator or make the move to the UFC. My goals are to be able to do what I love to do in fighting MMA and to be able to support myself & my family doing that.

10. Is there anyone you'd like to thank?

I would like to thank my wife & kids, my family, friends, and fans. All of my team that has been there for me and helped me get ready for my fights. And my manager, Molly Hoskinson from Southern MMA Mgt.

Warfare 7: Invasion (Rogers Vs. Bennett)

Face-off with "Krazy Horse" for Warfare 7

Rogers wins by submission over Bennett in 1st round

Signing the Bellator contract

Bellator 88 (featuring Ronnie "Bam Bam" Rogers)

Back in May of2010 Ronnie faced fighter Donovan Craig at Bangkok Fight Night 6, winning by TKO at 4:20 of the 1st Round. Donovan Craig went on to write about preparing for this fight with Rogers for Fight Magazine. Here is the link for the online version of "On the Utility of Struggle and the Art of Rising" by Donovan Craig from the September 2010 issue of Fight Magazine. (the following photos are from the printed version of that same article)