Feb
06
2015
0

MMA Ratings Chat Session: Max Bohanan


By Raphael Garcia

Just like every other professional sport, mixed martial arts relies on a steady supply of prospects to carry the sport into the future. In addition to the fighters who compete in the “major” organizations like the UFC or Bellator, throughout the world there are a number of competitors participating in MMA on the regional level. The smaller promotions for which they fight breed the stars of the future who will one day shine on the biggest stages in the sport. Maximilian Bohanan is one of those prospects, and as Max continues to build his name in MMA, he’s certainly a fighter that is worth keeping an eye on.

At 23 years old, Max’s development in the sport has been quiet and deliberate. As with many others within MMA’s “youth movement,” Max has already developed a diverse background in various aspects of the sport. His performances within the world of Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, and boxing have been brought together in a way that has fostered success in the MMA cage. Now, as a 3-0 professional, he has become a name to watch out for on the regional level.

Max most recently competed at Ring of Combat 50, where he defeated Leonard Simpson with a calf crusher in just 62 seconds. That fight gave him his third victory in a little less than a year.

Three fights in, how do you feel about your decision to persue MMA full time?



Max Bohanan: I’m actually pretty pleased with where I am. I have three first round finishes which gave me a boost in my confidence. I feel like I can actually do this long term if I want to.

Ring of Combat is one of the premier regional circuits in today’s MMA landscape. The promotion served as the starting point for stars such as Chris Weidman, Jim Miller, Frankie Edgar, Josh Koscheck, and the recently-emerging UFC prospect Chris Wade. Bohanan seems poised to add his name to that list. With multiple Jiu Jitsu world championships and golden glove competitions in his back pocket, Max’s skills have earned him the status of hot young prospect.

Why should you be considered a hot prospect with so many fighters joining MMA? 



MB: I like to feel like there is a reason for it. People say what they say and think what they think. While I’m not letting it get to my head or make me overconfident, in some ways I believe the hype. 

When you have a group of instructors that includes former champions Edgar and Ricardo Almeida, world-class trainer Mark Henry, and his strength and conditioning coach Marc Bifano, it would be difficult not to attract attention. Yet that group plays just as big of a role in keeping Bohanan grounded as they do in building him up for competition.

You have a team of well-known instructors around you. How are they helping you stay focused? 



MB: They are telling me to keep doing what I am doing. Stay intense and stay focused. I feel grounded and Ricardo has helped me stay that way. Being able to be around the academy every day has helped me and teaching BJJ has helped me learn.

Still, Max has seen the competition around him and believes he can perform at any level. Whether it was in BJJ, wrestling, or boxing, he’s always faced a high caliber of opponents. For instance, Max was the last man to ever defeat UFC newcomer Paul Felder. And even though that bout took place five years ago on the amateur level, Max takes some pride in that win.

When you see guys competing in the UFC, do you think you can hang with that level of talent? 



MB: I feel like I can hang with that talent right now. I’m happy for Paul, but it gave me a boost of confidence. I know he’s gotten a lot better. But it lets me know that I can hang with them now. There’s a lot of talent coming up and the type is really changing. But I have the best coaches in the world and I’m on the best team in the world.

With so many great fighters around you, do you find yourself trying to borrow any aspects of their styles? 



MB: A little bit of both. I steal a lot from everyone. I emulate people’s style and try to make it work for me. Everything in my style has come from someone on my team.

What, if anything, do you think you are missing from your game?

MB: I feel like I have so much to work on in my game. In every area, but especially the striking. It’s one of the areas that I think I can improve on the most. But I think my BJJ substitutes for that. 

Growth is still a big part of Max’s future which is exactly what he is experiencing as he competes for Ring of Combat. While he isn’t shaken by fighting on a larger stage, he’s appreciating being paid for displaying his talents.

What have you learned since being a part of Ring of Combat?



MB: I learned that it is a lot better getting paid to fight. Making money fighting is good. To be honest, I feel like it’s the same thing as the amateur fights but with more people watching and a larger following in a sense. It feels the same as any competition.

And yet, Max knows that this isn’t the ceiling for him. Mixed martial arts is a grueling sport that jettisons many competitors after failed attempts at success. While he has plans to reach the highest levels in the sport, he smartly has developed a strategy to get the most out of this sport before it takes the most from him.

Look ahead five years and tell me what you see for your MMA career.



MB: That’s a scary thing. I can see myself being anywhere. I always have a fear that I can’t do it, but that’s because I have big dreams. I certainly see myself in the UFC within five years. I have aspirations to open my own school. I don’t want to fight forever. Do what I can, get out healthy, and open a business teaching BJJ and helping them achieve goals the same way I was helped.

In a sport where nearly everyone is racing to find the next guy to hitch their cart to, Max Bohanan still has a long way to go before he truly takes a position of prominence. Until then, the New Jersey native will continue to mine for success on the regional level while more people learn his name.

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