The venue has changed, the promotion has changed, some of the fighters have changed, but James Irvin remains focused to the task at hand, fighting to win! When Irvin’s manager, Mike Roberts was notified that the IFC’s “Sturgis” show that James had spent the past few months preparing for was cancelled; he thought Irvin would be upset. Not the case, he said to his manager, “Mike, get me another fight! I don’t care who it is. I have trained far too hard to waste my time.” Now the tournament will be held at the Palace Casino in Lemoore, California this Friday August 20th under the WEC XI promotion.

Scheduled to compete in the Heavyweight Tournament at the IFC’s Sturgis Rally Rumble along with Irvin were such fighters as Travis Wiuff, Andre Mussi, and Mike Van Arsdale. This was exactly the level of fighters that Irvin felt he needed to compete with, and beat to move on to the next level. The guy they call “The Sandman” has visions of greatness in his future, and after watching him train, I believe he’s on the right path.

Drive approximately 25 mile north east of Sacramento, into what many would call a “Ghost Town” named Sheridan, California and you will find an old Army barracks converted into the No Limits Fight Team gym. This is where I had an opportunity to spend a few minutes with James Irvin as he prepares for the upcoming WEC Heavyweight tournament

James you are an exciting young fighter that’s about to blow up on the MMA scene, tell us about your background?

I started with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu about two years ago, after playing football at Azusa Pacific College. I needed to find something athletic to do so I started rolling with some Gracie Jiu-Jitsu guys. I was looking to enter a few tournaments and possible prepare for a MMA fight, when I first laced up the boxing gloves in the gym, and I got SMOKED by a few boxers. So, I went back to training for about a year and a half before I took my first MMA fight last June. What got you into fighting MMA?

I watched the UFC on Pay per View with all my friends and thought it was right up my ally. Can you tell us about where you train?

When I moved up here to Sacramento, I had a tough time finding a place to train, there were no schools directly dedicated to MMA. So, I had to bounce around from Niavaroni’s Kickboxing to work on my striking, Cassio Wernecks for Jiu-Jitsu, and of course now here at No Limits for everything. I sent 2 months with Colin Oyama and Team Oyama, training with guys like Quinton Jackson, Rob McCullough, and Tito Ortiz. Those guys helped me out a whole bunch; they showed me what it takes to train for the next level. Going down there and getting smoked by some of the best fighters in the world, really opens your eyes to the big picture. This summer I got to train with Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz several times a day for two weeks when they trained here in Sacramento. Randy Couture taught me so much about the game; each time I trained with him I know I walked away a better fighter. I am very excited to get in the cage with all my new found skills.

What have you done to prepare for this “now” WEC heavyweight tournament?

Because it’s a tournament, I spent a lot of time on my cardio, I am ready for each fight to go the distance if need be…..although I don’t expect them to go that far. How do you feel about the change in venue as well as the organization for this tournament?

I really do not care, I guess it’s nice that I get to fight here in California, but at the end of the day I have just one job to do, and that’s fight. Where ever, when ever it’s all the same. I just want to be prepared to fight who ever they put in front of me.

How do you feel about fighting in tournaments, namely this one?

The only difference is you have to make sure your cardio is up to fight several time in one night, but it’s cool. I’m ready. I really trained hard to face Travis Wiuff, a guy I was really looking forward to fighting. He is my age but has 9 times as many fights that I do. It would have been a good test for me. I hope I can get that fight someday soon. At this point, I don’t care who they get in there. That brings up my next question who are you fighting in this event?

That’s up to the powers that be; I have no control over that at this point. I am sure that Scott Adams at the WEC office is working hard to put together the best talent he can on such short notice. I have heard several names, but that is of no concern to me…. I just need to focus on being as prepared as possible. People get hurt training, people back out, and there is no reason to speculate… we will see Friday night.

Andre Mussi from the Brazilian Top Team is supposed to be in. Do you know much about him?

Not really, they say this is to be his first fight, but I don’t believe that any Brazilian Top Team member is really a fist time fighter. I think he may be the guy that surprises everyone, you never know, he may set you up with a trap or something crazy, you just got to be prepared. ..And I feel I am. How do you see this tournament playing out?

I see two fights ending on there feet. I feel that I have the skills to end these fights with my hands and/or feet. I don’t see any of these guys being able to handle my stand up. I am very fast for a heavyweight, you will see that Friday night. Where do you see yourself in the future?

I would love to fight in the UFC or Pride. Prides the big one, Japan has some of the best fighters in the world, I would love to test myself there. Not to take anything away from the UFC, they are awesome, and I look forward to being able to fight in that show also. It’s a process…..I am willing to pay my dues. Hell, I look forward to pay my dues. I feel I have a bright future, and with the guys I have around me, I am sure sky’s the limit.

Who would you like to fight in the future?

Geez, there are so many, I would love to fight Travis Wiuff as I said before, and guys like Paul Buentello, Mike Kyle… ..I would love to fight Frank Mir someday to tell you the truth. Many of them I am not ready for but when the time comes I will be. I look forward to the future. Its gunna be fun. We thank you for your time and look forward to watching you this Friday and in the future.

Hey thank you for coming out here, and I want to give a shout out to everyone that helped me prepare for this fight, Billy Miles, Steve Rinod, and of course Colin Oyama, Quinton Jackson, and Tito Ortiz… ..And Randy Couture for getting me to the next level. Team Punishment/Punishment Athletics for their support… ..And the guys at Phreek Fight for there help.