by Monta Wiley
Although not well known here in the States it is safe to say that Vaughn Anderson is a star that has yet to get the true acknowledgement he deserves in Mixed Martial Arts. Ranked amongst the top 10 Canadian middleweights in the world. he has left a trail of devastation through the Orient since his debut in 2004 gaining major notoriety through his ascension up the ranks. Just wrapping up a spectacular performance winning the PRO Fighting 6 – Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament in Taiwan there is no question that Vaughn has the skills it takes to become a future champion in the major organizations.
Fight Hub TV got the opportunity to speak with Vaughn as he talks about his rising fight career in Asia,future aspirations and how this journey has helped with his development as a fighter.
FHTV: Give the viewers a little insight about how you made your start in MMA?
Vaughn Anderson: It was completely random. A friend introduced me to BJJ and after training that for a few months pushed me to compete in this outdoor MMA event. After that, I just fell in love with fighting. I searched out Judo, Sambo, boxing and Muay Thai gyms, kept up my BJJ and competed in all of the rest whenever I could. Eventually, I ended up in Beijing training full-time with tougher guys, great coaches, and fighting for the Art of War promotion.
FHTV: When it comes to being a fighter, what does being a fighter mean to Vaughn Anderson?
Vaughn Anderson: Getting my hand raised may be the best part about it, but it is only a very small part of the fighter life, and much of the rest is difficult. To be a fighter you really have to love the process not just the results. A fighter is just one part of something much bigger. I owe everything to my teammates and coaches. As the one in the cage, I am the representative for our whole group; it’s an honor that comes with a lot of responsibility. When you win fans are impressed, but your teammates are proud- they share any glory, but also any disappointment. It helps to remember everyone evolved. I will let myself down before I let down the guys that helped me get here.
FHTV: Here in the states there is literally a MMA gym around every corner. You had quite the training venture in Asia and Thailand. Can you tell us about your training experience out there and how is varies from here in the states?
Vaughn Anderson: I am not sure what it is like to train in the states. I have trained exclusively in Asia over the past 10 years. I can say there are few places here that have MMA-specific gyms and some of those are small and run by guys that have zero or little MMA experience. Now I am at Legacy Gym in Thailand and we have great Muay Thai and MMA-specific programs under the same roof. For many guys coming up elsewhere in Asia things are still like they were 10 years ago-Go here to train striking, over here for judo or wrestling, this gym for BJJ and then put it all together with other MMA heads at an open mat somewhere once a week.
FHTV: What were some of the hurdles you’ve had to overcome in your career?
Vaughn Anderson: I think the biggest hurdles for fighters are universal- dealing with being broke sometimes, overcoming injuries, and finding an understanding girl. I broke my hand in 2010 while living in Hong Kong. I could not do much with one hand, so the money stopped coming in. Living in an expensive city and watching your savings disappear amplifies the problems. I got really ill then too and was even misdiagnosed with a brain tumor! My girlfriend then was a headache too. All this at once tested if fighting is really worth it to me, but it is.
FHTV: Throughout your career you have fought in many different organizations, how was your experience fighting in those companies and how has it helped with your overall development as a fighter?
Vaughn Anderson: Luckily, most promoters I’ve fought for have treated me very well. One surprise has been that some of the big shows were actually a mess behind the scenes. Fighting in different promotions, in a ring or cage, with the rules changing from each organization, has helped me develop a mind for fight strategy..at least I like to think so anyway.
FHTV: With such an impressive track record and longevity in the fight game do you plan to make any pushes toward fighting in the major organizations like Bellator or the UFC?
Vaughn Anderson: Is it impressive enough to catch their attention? I’d love to take on the world’s best, and the big promotions know who I am, so let’s see what happens in the future. I am happy I have made it as far as I have, and am still stoked about every opportunity to fight anywhere. I never forget fighting for 30 bucks outside a department store.
FHTV: What has this journey thus far taught you about yourself?
Vaughn Anderson: I remember Bruce Lee said something about Martial Arts being the best path of self-expression. For years I never got that. But now I see what he means and I agree. It is a different Vaughn you see in the cage. It is a personality that only the pressure of fighting brings out. Fighting taught me my limits are much higher than I believed them to be, both physical limits and what I am willing to put up with to continue this life. Through chasing our dreams we learn what really matters to us.
FHTV: Finally when people look back at your remarkable career when you retire what do you want to be remembered for?
Vaughn Anderson: To be remembered as someone who ‘always brought it, and represented’ would be very flattering.
