Q&A with Rochester area MMA fighter Tremaine Jackson

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A Q&A with Tremaine Jackson who is an MMA fighter and resides in Rochester.

Hi, Tremaine.  The Med City Fighting Matches are hosting cage matches at the Mayo Civic Center on Jan. 28. You live in Rochester and are one of the featured fighters. What’s it like for you to be included in this local event and how are you feeling about it?

Tremaine Jackson: It’s honestly a dream come true for me to be able to showcase my skills in front of my home town!

For those unfamiliar, what are cage matches and what do they entail?

Jackson: MMA is Mixed Martial Arts, which is any type of fighting style:  wrestling, judo,bjj (brazilian ju-jitsu), karate, muay tai, boxing and many others. There are three five-minute rounds and the fight ends when either the time runs out and the judges score the fight or a knockout/tko or submission happens.

What’s it like to be in the cage and in the spotlight? Walk us through those emotions and that experience.

Jackson: The emotions are different than any other sport I have ever done. When you walk into the cage and the door closes behind you, you have to be ready for war. The goal of the guy across from you is to take you out at any cost. Your goal is the same. I love the spotlight. I’ve wrestled on huge stages before; it adds a lot of pressure but I use that as fuel for my fight.

Describe the relationship between you and the spectators during a match. Are you feeding off the crowd and their energy or are you too focused on your fight to much notice?

Jackson: The crowd is everything. The louder the crowd, the more energy it gives to the fight. If there were no crowd, it would just be like a bar fight. MMA is a spectator sport.

You are competing against Daniel Andrade in the light heavyweight category at 205 pounds. There is also a lightweight and welterweight fight. How are weight classes distinguished?

Jackson: The distinguishing factor is the actual weight of the fighter. Lightweight is a maximum of 165 pounds and welterweight is a maximum of 170 pounds.

You are six feet tall. How does height factor into advantages in the sport?

Jackson: Height is a huge advantage because tall guys usually have longer arms and an advantage in reach.

Why is your nickname Freight Train?

Jackson: My nickname has been Train since seventh grade. When I started fighting, one of my best friends called me the Freight Train. He told me I hit hard like a train carrying goods.

Please tell us about your athletic background and upbringing. What drew you to the sport and how did you become a fighter?

Jackson: I played football and wrestled my whole life and have always enjoyed solo and team sports. My senior year in high school, I got suspended the week of individual wrestling sections while one of the top three seeds for a trip to state. Once that opportunity was gone, I took a few years off from any training and had children. I became a fighter to show my kids you have to chase your dreams. It’s been a dream of mine to fight since fifth grade. I love to compete.

How are you preparing for this event?  Please tell us about your training regimen. 

Jackson: I train ten to 15 hours a week doing BJJ, Muay Tai and sparring rounds. I spend two hours a day lifting and conditioning my body.

What about diet? Please tell us a bit about your eating habits in the days leading up to your event.

Jackson: Diets are huge in this sport because if you are not taking care of your body, you won’t have the nutrients and strength to recover from the training process leading up to the fight. I drink about a gallon of water a day. One of my daily meals is carbs and the other is proteins. I like to add fruits and vegetables to every meal. For breakfast, it’s a protein after lifting from 4:30 AM to 6:30 AM.

Pros and cons of being a fighter? 

Jackson: Pros: You get to showcase your skills and ability against another person’s skills and ability. You get to compete in front of big crowds. You’re in the spotlight. Regardless if you win or lose, you get to see spots in your game upon which you can improve.

Cons: You can get hurt.

Any notable injuries as a result of your sport?

Jackson: None.

What are your long-term fighting goals?

Jackson: My first goal is to be the best fighter that has ever come out of Minnesota. Another goal of mine is to win amateur and professional championship belts. My main goal is to make it all the way to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Please tell us a bit more about yourself. Profession? Hobbies? Other interests?

Jackson: I’ve been working at American Waterworks for five years as a foreman. I like to fish, hunt, recreate in the outdoors and spend time with friends and family.

Finally, what do you like about living in Rochester? Any favorites?

Jackson: This is my home, it’s where I grew up most of my life. I love everything about Rochester, from the people to the restaurants to being able to have the best medical treatment a person can receive to Thursdays on First and events like Rochesterfest. I also love the school system and sports programs. Overall, I love the sense of community.

Thank you, Tremaine. Best of luck.

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