VALOR'S November 2005 Fighter of the Month:

Sylvester "Predator" Terkay

Sylvester “Predator” Terkay looks to be a dominate force in the MMA world for some time.  With his tremendous size and fascinating speed and agility to go with it, it is no wonder why K-2 is looking to him to be the future of Heavyweight Fighting.  Recently, on November 5 in Seoul, South Korea, Predator defeated Muebai Choi, one of the top fighters in Korea and one of the most popular in a unanimous decision.  Terkay is already undefeated at K-1’s New Years Eve Dynamite events.  There are just so many positives to the gentle giant.  He is a former NCAA Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, and finished 2nd his junior year to the eventual 1996 Olympic freestyle Wrestling Gold Medalist and current WWE Superstar Kurt Angle, which is not something to be ashamed about at all.  He has a degree in Political Science, and is one of the most well spoken and conversational people you will ever meet.  He currently has been working on the latest Jack Black movie Nacho Libre, playing, what else, a giant wrestler.  Predator also dominates the pro wrestling world in UPW, and in Japan for Zero-1 Max as well.  It seems that no matter what he tries, he dominates.  It is for all of the above reasons and much more that Terkay is Valor’s first ever Two Time Fighter of the Month! 

Below is an interview conducted with Sylvester “ The Predator” Terkay a while back, which brings you inside the colorful world of the man himself.  Valor wants you, the fans, to know our fighters on a personal level, and not just world class fighters.  Our fighters are real people, down to earth, and great to all of our fans.  That is why we get you closer to the fighters than ever before.  So enjoy the read, and keep checking back for more information on Valor events, as well as more Valor Fighter profiles and features.

  

Represents:  OC Dojo; Shark Tank

Height:  6’6”

Weight:  305 lbs.

DOB:  December 4, 1970

Birthplace:  Washington, PA

Years Training:  1 year

Educational History:  Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University; graduated with honors

Inspirations:  Ernesto Hoost, Bruiser Brody

Current Record:  3-1

What are your goals in life?

It is definitely a journey, I try to do whatever I do the best I can.  I try to take the talents that God has given me and do the best I can.  There are a lot more misses than hits.  Whenever it is said and done, I hope people will say I helped a lot of people, that I was compassionate and had a lot of mercy, and that I was a good person and lived what I believed.

What are your goals in MMA?

To do what my bosses see me doing, and I want to have a good showing whenever I fight.  My ultimate goal is to be able to say that I went out there and gave it my best shot and whatever happens, happens.

What is your life philosophy?

To live everyday like it is your last

How did you get started fighting?

I really got started thanks to the opportunity with K-1.  I had my career in Japan with Zero-One pro wrestling and in 2001, I was voted most popular foreign wrestler in Japan.  My popularity helped me, and when I fought my first fight, they gave me the chance to fight more.  It was a good outlet to be able to learn new things to add with my amateur wrestling background, as a national champion in 1993.  I worked with Harold Diamond, who I still train with to this day

Who has trained you, and in what specialty? 

Harold Diamond teaches everything, but his forte was Muay Thai.  I have done amateur wrestling since the age of ten.  I work out at the Shark Tank with Eddy Millis for my stand up.  Tom Howard has taught me my pro wrestling, and that has led me to WWE and Zero One, but there are a whole myriad of people that I can credit.

What sports have you played in the past?

Professional Wrestling.  In high school I lettered in cross country and Track & Field.  When I was younger I did football and baseball.  I do enjoy rollerblading, paddle tennis.  I get out there and try a lot of things.  I recently started racquetball.  I am pretty versatile.

Why do you fight?

It is a good opportunity to see how good you can be.  A lot has to do with it because it is more lucrative than professional wrestling and can afford you a better lifestyle.  I enjoy it because there is a healthy respect for it.  Pro Wrestling for instance in this country isn’t thought of very highly.  It makes me more versatile, so I think a lot has to do with respect and it gets you in the best shape.

Do you have a regular job, if so, what is it?

I basically freelance.  I am obligated first and foremost to K-1.  I do pro wrestling whenever it avails itself.

Tell me some interesting facts about yourself.

It depends on what you consider interesting.  I was a three time All American in college, a three time academic All American.  1993 NCAA Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.  I have done over 30 commercials, and been in over 20 theatricals.  I have a certain degree of success in that.  I wrestled WWE Superstar and 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, I was a junior and he was a senior.  I lost to him in the finals of the NCAA tournament. 

Tell me about the person you are.

I am pretty easy going and mellow.  I am religious, I enjoy worshiping God, as a Christian  I am determined & stubborn.  I surprise some people because I am pretty well educated, I am a big conversationalist, and I know what I am talking about.

What is the worst injury you have suffered thus far, and how did it happen?

In MMA, I haven’t been hurt that bad.  In pro wrestling, I tore up my knee doing performing a moonsault to the Big Show in Ohio Valley Wrestling.  I tore my meniscus, & MCL.  I was lucky to not lose my eye in a match with Shelton Benjamin and Brock Lesnar.  My face came down, and went right into the steel bolt that held the ring, and split my nostril all the way up to my tear duct.  Another ¼ inch over and I would have been blind.  In Zero-One, a wrestler hit me with a steel gate in the wrong place, and I had a 10 inch gash in my head, you talk about bleeding like a stuck pig!  I finished the match, and got stitched up pretty well.  I have been pretty fortunate so far.

What is your favorite hold or move?

There are a couple chokes from the side mount that I really like.  But with my wrestling background, I like to do things like take a guys shoulder to places it doesn’t want to go.  I don’t fall into that conventional world, I like to work on guys, and take it from there.  My last fight, I did something potentially dangerous, where it would have been stopped in wrestling.  I ended up coming underneath his arm doing a power half, to where it worked. 

Are you married, do you have any kids?

I am single, never been married and have no kids.

 

FAVORITES:

Color:  Red

Movie:  Schindler’s List

Food:  That’s a hard one for a big guy like me; Lobster

Book:  The Bible

TV Show:  I like the History Channel, informational and educational shows, as far as sitcoms, I like    Friends.

Movie Star:  Male:  Gene Hackman with Al Pacino a close second; Female:  Meryl Streep

Sport:  Football & March Madness

Sports Team:  Pittsburgh Steelers

Hobby:  Acting

Click here to see Terkay's Fighter Bio

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