I stopped by  Nam Phan’s MMA academy last night for a free lesson.  Phan didn’t roll with us as he was preparing several students for a tournament.  For those that don’t know, Phan is currently on the Ultimate Fighter show on Spike.  Some MMA fans were wondering if his humble persona is just an act because Kyle Watson (Ultimate Fighter contestant) wrote on his blog that Phan lied to him.  After the class, Phan agreed to do an interview and answer any questions I had, including “lying” on last week’s show and sparring hard at his academy. 

I asked him beforehand if there were any questions he wouldn’t answer.  I didn’t even finish asking my question and he said “Please ask me any questions you want.”  It’s true that they do train hard.  I just went in for the BJJ class and right now, my back and neck is sore as hell.  I’m no BJJ expert but usually, I can defend submissions.  At Phan’s school, I was tapping every 15 seconds, maybe even faster than that.  I jammed my pinky finger too.  I feel like a freaking old man.  But were any of them douchebags?  Far from it.  Everyone was nice and teaching me new moves.  Some schools hold back on teaching visitors but Phan was helping me out with the techniques.

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