Kevin Randleman: Return of the Monster

After a fight with life and a rough last couple of years, Kevin Randleman talks about his trials and tribulations, where he has been, and what he has gone through. Healthy and a changed man, Kevin got married,  got  focused, and is making the most out of 2009. Oh yes, he has returned– Here comes The Monster!!!!!

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Who gave you the nickname “The Monster” ?

I was given the nickname The Monster while I was training at Bill Goldberg’s MMA gym in Atlanta a long time ago. One of his trainers said I trained like a monster, and I guess it just stuck.

You were out of the game for awhile due to illness. Tell us what happened.

It all started in 2005 with a torn bicep tendon.  I flew to Calvin’s high school football playoff game in Ohio. It was too soon after my surgery. I ended up in the hospital with what they thought was a pneumonia. Upon my return home, the antibiotics were not working. I was having severe fevers over 103 for over a week. Elizabeth rushed me to the emergency room one night because my fever was over 104. After a half day, they discovered that it wasn’t pneumonia. I had a fungal infection growing inside my lung cavity. Apparently, it had been there for years because it came from a spore that I inhaled—most likely from when I was fighting over in Brazil. They had to go in and remove layers that had attached to the outside of my lung and inside the cavity. It had caused my lung to collapse.

Then my shoulder became infected over and over. They had to keep going in to clean out the infection.

The staph kept coming back because I would start training and the contact of MMA training combined with the trauma of my body would cause the infection to continually come back. I was disregarding the pains figuring it was just from training. But the last one almost killed me because the infection became so severe that my whole body filled up with fluid, and I became septic and ended up in the ICU. The infection was so severe they had to open me up and cut away some of the area. (That is the holes that you see in the photo.) I had to stuff the wound with 4 yards of gauze, twice a day for over a month. It was the scariest of all because I was in the hospital for almost two weeks, and it didn’t seem that I was getting any better.

To say the least, It has been an intense four years, and if I learned anything from this it is to not disregard pain. I tell all fighters that if something hurts for more than a week to go and get it looked at by a doctor.

When you were sick during that time, what was on your mind? What were your goals? and were you afraid?

I have been undergoing surgeries over the past three-and-a-half years. During that time, my life flashed before my eyes over and over in slow motion HD. I’ve made mistakes and bad decisions over the years, and I reflected on them and finally learned from them. I thought a lot about my goals and just what I had to change in order to achieve them. Not being able to fight was very difficult for me because that is all I know, but the down time gave me time to think about my past, present and what I can do to make my future successful not only for me but for my family. My only goal is to get back into the heart of the MMA world and fight my way back to the top. I have matured a lot, not only as a fighter, but as a man, and I was lucky enough to have someone by my side through all the setbacks I endured. The down time allowed me to fall in love all over again, not only with my beautiful wife, Elizabeth Broglia, but with the great sport of MMA.

There was definitely times that were scary because some of the illnesses that I endured were pretty severe and life threatening. I don’t remember all of it, but after waking up and being told that you almost died is definitely a reality check on just how quick life can change on you. What I was afraid of was not the injuries and illness, it was not getting the chance to come back into the MMA world and prove myself. I had never given 100% of myself to the sport due to the distractions that I allowed into my life. But now I’m grounded and dedicated to learning what I’ve been doing wrong, and what I have to do to change it and move forward. I was blessed with a lot of talent and didn’t capitalize on it, but now I am ready to. I look forward to every punch, kick and slam (Well, maybe not slam—hopefully I will be doing all the slamming—lol.) that I have to take in order to earn the right to fight again. It is a beautiful life if you can relax and flow.

Who were your influences growing up?

I had eleven brothers and sisters growing up, and with a big family like that, there is always something going on. I would have to say my family, teachers and coaches were the biggest influences to me growing up. I remember the profound ones most, those coaches that pushed me to be better, that challenged me. I am grateful that I listened to them and became a wrestler because it kept me off the streets somewhat. Not sure where I would be now had I not had the opportunity to wrestle in high school and college.

Your son Calvin plays football; What sorts of discipline do you pass to your son who is on his way to being a pro athlete himself?

The disciplines I try to pass on to my son Calvin is to work hard at everything he does, not only the sport of football, but everything. Expect nothing and earn everything. You will feel good about yourself when you lay your head down on the pillow at night and know that you accomplished something today. I was lucky enough to have my son come out to Las Vegas to live with me last year, and actually he has taught me some valuable lessons and helped me become a calmer man deserving to be his father. I am so excited that I will be able to watch him play football for UNLV next season.

What do you have PLANNED for your career for the rest of 2009?

My plans for 2009 is to be 100% dedicated to do my job, and that is to train hard and stay focused. I want to dominate my fights from start to finish with no need for any excuses. I can’t wait to get back into the cage. I miss it terribly. Simple enough—fight and win—fiercely. When this goal is met, I believe my comeback will be complete.

You and Elizabeth made it official and got married in April this year. How has her support played a role in your career and in your life?

Elizabeth is amazing. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, and she is my rock. I have a guardian angel by my side. On April 25th, (our wedding day) I was finally complete. She has shown me so much. I have a new outlook on life, art, music and all the things I didn’t appreciate before her. She has let me see life through her eyes, and I see it for how beautiful it really can be. My anger is subsided. It is not gone, but maybe I should say tamed. (I need some of that anger to be the Monster—lol.) Yes, she has tamed the Monster. I enjoy my friends and family more now because of the changes that I’ve gone through over the past few years. She watched me almost die twice, and she never left my hospital bedside. Every time I woke up, she was there and always managed to smile and make me believe it will all work out. I owe her a smile on her face every day for the rest of our lives, and I will strive for that. I’ve learned how to be a better person for others, not just myself. I don’t know how I would have survived the past few years without her. Elizabeth Broglia, I am a better man today because of you. And for that, I am so thankful and will love you forever.

Wow! I’m tearing up over hear man. That is an awesome story. You definitely got yourself a ride or dies chick. What aspirations do you have for your son Calvin and your daughter Jasmine?

I call my son Obama now because I have big dreams for him as well as Jasmine.  Education is first. I try to encourage them to give it their all every day because I believe it is so important.  Every day we expand our knowledge. I believe that paves the way to a successful future.  I try to encourage that they can do anything they put their minds to. And that I will always have their backs and support them in all that I can. With life comes problems, but there is always a solution; and we will always work through everything as it comes. Quitting is not an option—ever!

What brought you to Las Vegas? and what keeps you here?

Before I moved to Vegas, I came to Vegas to train and had a really great experience at Cobra Kai with Marc Laimon. I knew this is what my training had been missing back in Ohio, and I was thinking about relocating.  While I was out here for a UFC, I was lucky enough to get introduced to the amazing Elizabeth. (Thanks, Ricco!) The more I came out here, the more I noticed all the great places there was to train. Six months later, I moved here; and I love this place.  I had the pleasure of training lots of great places here. In addition to Cobra Kai’s never die dojo, I would go to John Lewis’ s Jsect Jiu Jitsu, and One Kick Nick’s. Then I had some of the best boxing coaching I had ever had from Kenny Rayford at The Fight Club (now Throwdown).

What keeps me here is the best training anywhere in the states, backed by the incredible family that I am lucky enough to call mine, some really great friends, and the fact that there is so much talent here in Vegas to train with. I had the privilege of meeting a good friend of Elizabeth’s, Scotty Thomas and his two sons, Lorne and Dolan, who at the time were just getting into Jiu Jitsu. Just playing around Scotty’s gym with them reminded me of how great it is to teach kids.  They eventually joined Cobra Kai, and they are doing really good.  It was great to watch them take such a great step in the right direction of their future, and I am glad to say that MMA had everything to do with that.

I am currently training at Xtreme Couture, and I get to spar with champions every day. I know that I made the right decision moving here because I am a better, stronger man now; and I have so many people that believe in me.

Who would you like to fight if you could choose any opponent?

As far as who I would like to fight, that is simple:  Everyone at 205 that is considered one of the best, and just a few guys out there at heavyweight down the road. I have never been one to take the easy road, and I don’t expect to start now. 205 is a strong weight class, and I look forward to stepping up to the challenge and climbing my way back to the top.

What do you like to do in Vegas when you aren’t working or training?

I was lucky enough to not only find the greatest woman I ever met here in Vegas, but along with her came an incredible family base and some really great friends. The Broglias, the Belluccis, the Contis and the Vivianis all came with the amazing Ms. Elizabeth. I enjoy the time spent with them. Her immediate family is 25 people, so it is a party whenever we get together.  It turned out I also have some family out here so I get to spend time with the Randlemans and the Harrises too. There is never a dull moment when you have a strong nucleus of friends and family.  I feel very lucky. Vegas to me is truly paradise.

Take me through a day in the Kevin Randleman training REGIMEN.

I like to do cardio and lift at 6AM at the LVCC. Then I will have breakfast and rest before going to do Jiu Jitsu or ground work around 11AM.  At 7PM, I will go and do stand up. That is usually 8 weeks before my fight. Right now I am only doing two sessions a day, trying not to push myself and cause any more injuries. My goal is to train smarter, not just harder. I have pushed myself too much, too soon over the past few years, and it has caused me a few set backs.

Overall I eat a lot healthier now than I ever did and, it shows in my stamina. But nothing takes the place of hardcore training. I was blessed with an incredible metabolism, so I am lucky that I get to eat things that a lot of the guys that I train with can’t. Many are always trying to lose weight for a fight, and I am usually trying to gain weight. I drink at least 3-4 protein shakes a day between meals and probably eat 4‒5 meals a day.

Close to a fight, I try to cut out all the bad stuff, but I can’t lie and say I don’t eat fried chicken and drink Kool Aid (lol).

What part of your game do you feel will benefit the most by training at Randy’s gym?

All of it! Just the fact that overall there is such great talent at Randy’s. Every day I walk out of there, I feel like a better fighter because of the talent that I get to roll around with.

In 2004 you were inducted into the Ohio State University Buckeys Hall of Fame, a group of athletes that also includes sports legends Cris Carter and Jack Nicklaus, just to name a few. What’s it like to be forever associated with these athletes?

Honestly, I am a good, strong man because of my wrestling background. Add in martial arts, and now I’m even stronger and smarter and a much better fighter now than I ever was. Discipline is everything in life as well as MMA. It was an honor to be inducted in The OSU Hall of Fame. Just to be in the category with some of the great athletes that were there before me is such an honor to me. I am a better man to everyone around me because of all that I have been through. Wrestling taught me so much, especially what I learned at OSU. That is one of my greatest accomplishments, and I am proud of that. I am mentally prepared for the challenges ahead of me, and I am getting better all the time for me as well as everyone in my life. Ground, Mount and Pound.

Tell us something we would be surprised to know about Kevin Randleman.

I love vintage things, cars and such.  My latest project is an old Red 1976 Chevy that I got from my brother-in-law Richie. It is beat up and old, and I am really looking forward to, piece by piece, bringing that baby to life.

Final thoughts or anything you would like to say?

I would like to give a shout out to all the troops that sacrifice so much for us every day. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go over to Kuwait and Iraq in November for a USO tour, and it was a life-changing experience for me. It made me realize that I had not given the sport my best, and that is not acceptable. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, so we must do all that we can to make our success happen today.

Even though things seem tough at times you can always fight your way through it. The past few years have taught me that. Have faith and never give up, and you will prevail. I am living proof of that. The sport of MMA is taking over the world, and I can’t wait to be in the heart of it. See you in the cage in 2009.