TUF Questions: Brandon Garner

Brandon Garner (4-1) is a lightweight competitor in The Ultimate Fighter 8, premiering tonight on SpikeTV in the States.   His career victories all came at 145 pounds.  Garner has taught Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Japan.

Fighters.com:  How did you get started in MMA?

Brandon Garner:  I started training jiu-jitsu while in high school at a Royce Gracie affiliate. I wanted to see if I could use my jiu-jitsu in the Octagon like Royce did and so I signed up for a fight and just kept doing it.

Fighters.com:  Where do you train? Who do you train with?

Brandon Garner:  I train in Raleigh, NC and Fayetteville, NC with Team ROC. Some other notable fighters who train with us include Tim Kennedy [9-2] and Jason Palacios [6-4].

Fighters.com:  Do you train full time or are you still training soldiers at Fort Bragg?

Brandon Garner:  I still mix my training with teaching soldiers.

Fighters.com:  How did you get started training soldiers?

Brandon Garner:  One of my instructors (Greg Thompson) got contracted to work at Ft. Bragg about 10 years ago. He started picking up new contracts and needed some extra help. About four years ago I was working at a bank and was very unhappy with my job. He called me and asked if I wanted to work for him and I jumped at the opportunity

Fighters.com:  Outside of MMA, what are some of your interests or hobbies?

Brandon Garner:  I played soccer in college so that is still a hobby of mine. I also like to travel whenever I have the time.

Fighters.com:  What would you do if you weren’t a fighter?

Brandon Garner:  If I wasn’t fighting I would probably be coaching soccer or going back to school for some type of higher education.

Fighters.com:  Who has helped you the most to get you where you are now?

Brandon Garner:  There are so many people that have helped me along the way that it’s really hard to narrow down. I would say the most helpful people have been my parents. They have always shown me endless support.

Fighters.com:  What do you consider to be your strengths?

Brandon Garner:  I would say that my biggest strength is my competitive nature. I am constantly hungry to improve and perfect my technique and learn new things.

Fighters.com:  What do you love most about your life?

Brandon Garner:  The thing that I love most about my life is that my job is also my hobby. Not many people can say they are passionate about what they do for a living. I also have great friends and family behind me.

Fighters.com:  What would you want others to know about you?

Brandon Garner:  I’m pretty quiet and shy until I get to know people. Some people misinterpret me as being arrogant or mean. I wish people wouldn’t be afraid to approach me more.