Elijah Harshbager Interview

Coming off what many consider the "Fight of the Night" victory over James Brasco at last weekend's World Extreme Fighting event in Kissimee, Fla., Elijah Harshbarger took time out of his increasingly busy schedule to answer questions with MMA Spot's Chris Dennison. A student-turned-colleague of decorated Brazillian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts trainer, Master Lloyd Irvin, Harshbarger heads his own Irvin affiliate gym, Gold Medal Grappling in Woodbridge, Va. Fresh out of the cage and back to preparing his own team of fighters, the rising welterweight spoke about his big win, steroid allegations, and what it is like to run his own gym—as well as explaining what exactly "Ameri-jitsu" is.

 

Chris Dennison: Congratulations on your victory this past weekend, via third round verbal submission, over James Brasco at the World Extreme Fighting event. What was your game plan going in and do you think you were able to implement it effectively?

Elijah Harshbarger: My game plan was to keep the pressure coming and to overwhelm him. I like to set the pace. I would say the game plan worked great.

Dennison: In the fight it looked like Brasco hit you with a solid leg kick that had you limping. Were you affected by that and how did it affect you the rest of the fight?

Harshbarger: The leg kick actual inflamed my perennial nerve causing a funny bone effect down my leg. The whole leg and foot was numb. I couldn't control my foot, so it kept folding up on me causing it to break. I also suffered several sprains over the foot and soft tissue damage. That's why the first round was a slower pace. By round two, it numbed up so I could come at him a little harder. I still could not control the foot, that's why i stumbled a few times.

Dennison: Do you think you had him hurt enough in the second round for the ref to stop the fight?

Harshbarger: He was definitely saved by the bell. I have know idea how the ref did not stop it.

Dennison: When you slipped out of his guillotine in the third round, did you feel the end of the fight was near?

Harshbarger: I passed his guard as he was pulling the guillotine. I was never in danger. I saw it in his eyes between the first and second round that he was frustrated and tired. The longer the fight went, I felt him getting weaker. As soon as I popped my head up from the choke, I saw him looking around for the ref, so I knew to start flurrying instead of worrying about passing the half guard.

Dennison: After your fight, Brasco accused you of being on steroids. What do you feel about that?

Harshbarger: I think it's a shame he choose to take the low road like that. My ring name is "The Hero." Everything I stand for would be compromised if I used steroids. I believe in hard work and dedication. No steroid can take you as far as will power.

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