As most of our readers know – Backstage Live Magazine is all about music..pure Rock & Roll music.  However, this issue I’ve decided to shake things up a bit in our little world of Rock by speaking with one of the top MMA fighters on the circuit Jaime ‘El Cucui’ Jara.  With his impressive 24-7-0 MMA record & fighting in the Middleweight division,  I assure you Jaime is  a force to be reckoned with & is a name that REALLY needs to be in the UFC at this point.  Hey Dana – instead of wasting fans time with people like Kimbo Slice – bring in some talent like this man…who can ACTUALLY fight against other MMA fighters…PLEASE!!

Jaime took some time away from his hectic training schedule to speak with me about his career, musical influences and what keep him motivated.  Being a DIE HARD MMA fan – to me…this was an interview worth waiting for and totally enjoyed speaking with him.

TFL: Jaime – tell me how you got your nickname!  I find it fascinating that each fighter is given a nickname in MMA…how did you get yours?

JJ: Oh, my Brother and my Dad gave me that name.  That’s because of my tattoos; when all the little kids see my tattoos they get scared so that’s why they said that.  “El Cucui” mean Boogieman.

TFL: (chuckling) good to know Jamie.  Tell me how you got into MMA, what drew you into the sport itself?

JJ: I’ve been wrestling all my life and then teaching martial arts at the school – I just hooked up with the right people at the right time you know.

TFL:  Tell me about your training – what do you think is the biggest misconception people have about MMA fighters?

JJ: I just think that people look at it and think it is a lot easier than it really is you know.  I mean it’s harder than any other job because when you get off work from other jobs..you’re off right.  When you are training for a fight – it’s 24 hours a day you’ve got to concentrate on it.

TFL:  What’s your diet like as far as calories go?  What are your ‘do’s’ and what’s your ‘don’ts’ & do you think people understand how careful you have to watch over your diet?

JJ: Yeah!  That’s what I’m talking about, it’s 24 hours.  You gotta stay on the diet you know.  I try and eat everything low glycemic so it will spike  my insulin levels to help me train harder.

TFL: So you can’t go and have a Big Mac attack (chuckling)

JJ: (slight laugh) Noooo – no I don’t, no fast food.

TFL: Now, we are primarily a Rock music magazine, but I’m such a huge MMA fan – I had to bring you into this issue Jaime.   When you’re training – how much of an impact does music have on you?

JJ: You know I like to listen to music, especially when I’m shadow boxing because it helps me to get into the rhythm of what I’m doing and it helps me get my rhythm and my flow.  It also help me relax so i can get into my ‘zone’ while I’m training.

TFL: Can you list off a few for me that you like to listen to?

JJ: Man, I listen to a LOT of rap music…it’s ALL rap music.

TFL: Have you ever had the opportunity to meet the musicians that you like?

JJ: Well actually, there’s one of them..uh..’Black Hawk’ he actually wrote my intro music for me.  He did actually write the intro song for me – if you go to my MySpace page, you can hear it on there as well.

TFL: Yeah – I’ve seen your MySpace page man – it’s very cool Jaime and is done very well – lots to check out there for sure!

JJ: Yeah there is – Thank You.

TFL: When a lot of people hear MMA…the majority of people automatically think of the UFC.

JJ: Yes!

TFL: Has the UFC been difficult for you to get into or is it even something you are looking at getting into Jaime?

JJ: I just never got the call, but you know…you have to call me and I’ll go fight over there.  I fought for ‘ELITEXC’ which is on Showtime you know…where Kimbo Slice and a lot of those guys fought.  I’m going to be fighting again towards the end of November against Niko for the belt.

TFL: Is it difficult to get up the ranks with in MMA?

JJ: Well – not if you train hard.

TFL: and win obviously – win your fights.

JJ: Yeah you gotta win!  You can’t just go in and win – it’s got to be a good win.  You got to win your fights and the money has got to be right you know.  The money has to be according to the opponent you’re fighting.  If they want you to step in and fight a tough opponent – then the money has GOT to be right.

TFL: Are you very fussy on the events that you fight in?

JJ: No – not at all.  I mean if they want to pay me to fight a tough opponent, then I’m willing to do that…but if they want me to fight Anderson Silva for $400.00 I’m not doing it you know.

TFL: (laughing) No shit!

JJ: (laughing) it depends on you know…(laughing)

TFL: (still laughing) I think I can see you having a hard time trying to stop laughing if you got that phone call.

JJ: That’s what I’m saying you know (chuckling) and I’ve had offers like that.

TFL: As far as your fans go – because I know that MMA fighters have a very strong fan base – is there a message you would like to pass along to your fans?

JJ: Yeah – I just want to thank ALL of them for supporting me everytime I fight.  I want them to know that I always try to put on a good show when I fight.

TFL: Jaime – at what age did you decide that this is what you wanted to do for a career?

JJ: I mean, ever since I saw the first UFC I wanted to do it.  I wasn’t able to do it until I got connected with the right people because when everything first came out; in California all of the fights were on reservations and it was all underground.  So it was really hard to get in an event so I finally got into it and started fighting when I was 32…I think it was 32…and started fighting.

TFL: Now wouldn’t that be considered ‘veteran’ to some fighters?

JJ: Uh yeah, at that age it’s kinda old starting off – but I did it!

TFL: Age is just a number my friend – I’m sorry…I’m not a young pup either (laughs) but I don’t act my age most of the time anyway…so age is really irrelevant.  What do you think your strength is as an MMA fighter?

JJ: I’ve got good Jujistsu but I’ve got good boxing too, I’m well rounded.  I work really hard on both.

TFL: If you were given the opportunity where they looked you in the eye and said “Jaime you can have any fight you want” WHO would you want to get into the cage with?

JJ: My dream, fight…you know I just fought Doug Marshall (PFC 13 – Validation) and I lost that by a split decision and I really want to get that fight back, so that’s what I got my eyes set on & I’ve been trying to get the re-match and eventually, hopefully I will.

TFL: Do you a set of goals at all Jamie where you’re saying ‘OK in 6 months…this is where I want to be”?

JJ: Yeah – I’d like to get some fights with bigger paydays – that’s what I’m looking for.  I don’t care where it is – whether it’s in the UFC or elsewhere I’m looking for the fights with the bigger paydays.  So who ever is going to offer me that…that’s where I’m going to go.

Bigger fights for bigger paydays – I’d love to see Jaime score a fight with the UFC group – he deserves the shot!  Dana White – I’m telling you buddy…pay attention man – drop the whole Kimbo Slice crap – he’s NO MMA fighter…and as a fan of MMA…he does NOT belong in the UFC.  JAIME JARA however DOES belong in the UFC since he is a skilled, trained and has the heart of a true MMA fighter.

All of us at Backstage Live Magazine wish you all the best with your MMA career Jaime & hope to see you in the UFC VERY soon my friend!

By: Tracy Forsyth-Lundy