Interview: Carlos The Ronin Newton 1/22/04
by John Merrill

I had a chance to talk with Carlos The Ronin Newton earlier today. Carlos was kind enough to take a break from his training for UFC 46, where he will have a chance to test his grappling skills against fellow jiu-jitsu expert Renato Charuto Verissimo. Carlos had quite a bit to say about his training, his thoughts on Matt Hughes, his plans for the future, and more.

InsideFighting: I guess my first question for you would be how has life been treating you since your victory at Bushido?
Carlos Newton: Ah, its been very nice. Pretty much for myself its been actually real nice because I think for me it really signaled a certain point in my life as a fighter in my career, and it really symbolized my passage into manhood as a fighter. You know, before that, I think, I really thought of myself as still one of the youngsters. But I think after fighting Renzo, a guy who Ive seen fight since I was a little brat, and just watching and learning from him through the years, and to finally eventually be facing-off against him in the same ring, really was a real I dont know a real slap in the face for me. A time to rise to the occasion. You got it, or you got it not [laugh]. Having to go home if you aint coming to fight, that kind of thing. It was real neat for me.

IF: Would you say Renzo was kind of an idol to you?
CN: Yeah, yeah. Hes definitely one of the legends, you know? Definitely, I think, one of the great pioneers, one of the guys thats been around from the beginning, and done a lot. Done great things for the sport, and hes just accomplished a lot throughout his career. I think hes had a very successful career. I hope to have one just as successful as his.

IF: Where exactly are you training and living nowadays?
CN: Im living in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, and I train at Warrior Martial Arts Center right here in Newmarket, and my trainer and manager is Terry Riggs. And I have other trainers in the camp too, and from there we always put our things together, and come up with a game plan for each fight.

IF: How did your interest in studying martial arts first begin?
CN: Ah, well I started martial arts when I was four years old you know, four to five years old and my stepfather started teaching me Shotokan Karate when I was a little guy, and I just basically grew up, you know, learning those arts. And I came to Canada when I was 10 years old, and when I was 14 or 15 started to compete amateur. And when I was 18, I turned pro. It was a long journey thats all. [laugh]

IF: So about how old were you when you first broke-into the Mixed Martial Arts world?
CN: Uh, I was just turned 19. Just right afteror just before my 19th birthday.

IF: Many people nowadays see PRIDE as the sort of Mecca of MMA. After your big win over Renzo, whats your motivation to return to the UFC?
CN: Well, I just really like being able to fight all over the world really, and to be able to entertain both audiences. And it just allows me the flexibility to get the top fighters out there, you know. Face off and get the best fights. Ive been able to fight Renzo in PRIDE, but at the same time, in the UFC, Ill be able to face Matt and Robbie. I justI just want to be the guy who doesnt dodge anyone, you know? No excuses. [laugh] Just going to be the best of the best, really. And those are the two best shows right now, and if youre going to achieve that, you should be competing in both.

IF: Are you able to support yourself financially through fighting at this point in your career?
CN: Ah, yeah, Im doing all right. You know, I cant complain really. Im not making minimum wage, and Im not making Donald Trump dollars neither, but at the same time I think any everyday person in my shoes should be very happy. Especially people my age. You know Im 27, so I cant really complain too much.

IF: What do you know about your next opponent Charuto [Renato] Verissimo?
CN: Yeah, well hes B.J. Penns jiu-jitsu trainer, and we all know B.Js well renown for his jiu-jitsu skills. So that speaks volumes for Renatos skills. And I know hes given Gil Castillo a real tough fight, and really dominated that match. And I know GilI know a lot about GilI know that hes a tough fighter so that is no easy task. And from there I expect him to be a pretty tall guy, so everyone says. Hes 62, so hes going to be kind of long for that weight class. I expect him to be pretty gamey and ready to show what hes got. Try to make an example out of me or something. [laugh]

IF: Well, I hope youre not offended by my pointing this out, but looking at your record in your last eight fights, it almost seems like youre scheduled for a loss. To what do you attribute your recent alternating pattern of wins and losses?
CN: Well, my wins and losses I justIve been fighting the top guys in the world. I fought Matt Hughes twice, and thats just losing to the same guy twice. He is the world champion, and he is an awesome fighter. And to then go over there and fight Anderson Silva well, you know, that was a tough break. Its that point in my life right now where I am the curve balls get thrown at me, and its up to me to rise to the occasion of turning it into a positive. Its just my time to rise.

IF: About Matt Hughes. You once said that you are the one person out there who is capable of beating him. So is getting into the octagon for a third time with Matt still one of your goals in the near future?
CN: Yeah, its definitely something I look forward to doing. I think right nowalthough I may have lost against Anderson, and fought against Renzo, even my performances against Matt, and beating Pete Spratt, I think Ive still proved that Im a dominate welterweight fighter out there. And its just a matter of time until Matt goes through all the other dudes until he has to come full circle with me again. Its just something thats destined to happen, I think, as long as I keep up my level of performance. Tough breaks are tough breaks, but at the same time they are not things that just happen due to regular circumstances. Tough breaks are tough breaks. I go by stats, and I just look at it as a down time in my career at the time. But at the same time, Ive got to turn it into a positive and make it an up time. Ive gotta learn from these things, andIve been doing it for nine years, and I hope to be doing it for another 11.

IF: Wow!
CN: Yeah, so, its bound to happen, right? I think its very important for fighters to really look at this business as a career, as a long haul. And really dont try to overestimate what I can do in one year, and I dont underestimate what I can do in 10. You know, by having a few tough breaks, and also just staying positive and training hard, you can forge yourself [laugh], with these fires, and just become something unreal.

IF: Were there ever any points in your previous matches with Matt Hughes where you thought you might have had him?
CN: Uh, well yeah. I mightve had him, but for me, the only punch that counts is the one that knocks you out [both laugh]. So, I dont really care about that stuff. I got him, and I did not. He beat me fair and square the second time the first time, tough break again, right? But since the rest of the world sees it as a loss, I see it as a loss. But at the same time I have to be honest with myself and say, Well, that was just the way the chips fell. The second fight, he won fair and square, and thats the way the chips fell. He was the better fighter that day. But at the same time, its an opportunity for me to become a better fighter, and its just the way its going to play out. Resilience, man its all about resilience. [laugh]

IF: Yep. Well, if its all right with you, Id like to do a little name association. So Ill go ahead and give you the name of a fighter, and you tell me the first thing that pops into your head, okay?
CN: All right.

IF: Ricardo Arona
CN: Ricardo Arona. Uh[laugh] Corona [both laugh]. I think beer. I dont know why.

IF: Okay! Frank Shamrock
CN: Frank Shamrock? A real warrior.

IF: Wanderlei Silva
CN: Yeaha meanie [both laugh].

IF: Hidehiko Yoshida
CN: Hidehiko Yoshida. Respect.

IF: Tank Abbot
CN: a tough guy.

IF: Fedor Emelianenko
CN: Ah, Fedor! Ah[laugh] one of a kind. A phenomenon, thats for sure!

IF: Carlos Newton
CN: Ah, just a guy on his own planet [both laugh]

IF: Good answer! Okay, thank you very much. I heard that youre studying to become a doctor of some sort?
CN: Yeah, uhstill got my face in the books, man [both laugh].

IF: Well, could you tell us something about what it is youre studying exactly or how far you are in school?
CN: Im in my fourth year now. I took this year off school because I have a lot going on on my plate right now. I just need a little break, but I am a full-time student, and studying psychology and languages. And I volunteer and do research at Baycrest Hospital, and I hope to be a neurological psychologist one day.

IF: Oh, wow. I also remember hearing that you have an interest in studying abroad in Japan. Have you had a chance to live in Japan for any amount of time yet?
CN: Yeah, before I went back to University I did spend a long time living in Japan and just hanging out there. I would say, probably accumulatively, about two years total before I went back to the University. That doesnt include my trips for PRIDE and so forth, and just traveling. I intend to, after my fourth year at University, do my fifth year in Japan.

IF: I guess my next question should be an intriguing one. In your opinion, whats the best thing, and whats the most annoying thing about being in Japan?
CN: Uh[laugh] The most annoying thing about being in Japan I think is the subway system. Yeah, its pretty mean. Its nothing like Canada, you know. Weve got four lines and thats it. Japan is like hundreds of lines stacked on top of one another like literally and its pretty tough. The greatest thing, I think, of Japan, I really love the food and culture.

IF: Ah, and whats your favorite kind of sushi?
CN: I like maguro [raw tuna] and tamago, [sweet] egg sushi. Those are my favorite.

IF: Is it true that theres a character modeled after you in Dragonball Z?
CN: I dont know about that [both laugh]. I dont know, Ive never heard of that. That would be real cool though! [both laugh]

IF: Well, what is it exactly that you yell when you do your dragonball after each victory?
CN: I yell, Kame, Hame, Ha! Thats what the character says in Dragonball when they throw their dragonball. Yeah, and they shift, like a breathing pattern. Theres a deep breathing [demonstrating], kaMEhaMEHAAA!!!, and thats just what it says.

IF: Ah! Does it have a meaning in Japanese?
CN: Uh, no. Its just for breathing. To get thatsummon up that deep energy from the bottom of your stomach, and throw it out.

IF: Two years ago you said that youd like to fight Sakuraba one more time, because you were young when you fought before. Do you still see fighting Sakuraba as one of your goals in the future?
CN: Ah, if hes willing to step up to the plate, you knownot be off. Right now he seems to be caught in a limbo between what weight class he should be in [laugh], but uhI think major will decide that one for him, and until then yeah, definitely Ill beyou know, just sitting and waiting. Ill be ready.

IF: Do you think that Sakuraba should consider retiring?
CN: Ah, not right now just consideryou know, choosing the right weight class for himself. And not let anyone make that decision for him, you know peer pressure or whatever because if youre a top fighter in whatever division your are, youre a top fighter. It doesnt make sense beating yourself up, going against these huge dudes. Gotta have respect for the other fighters.

IF: With such a wide variety of interests, and the kind of world outlook that you have, what would you say is your motivation for fighting at this point in your life?
CN: My motivation right now is that really trying to become that person I like to be as a fighter. And Im really just doing it for the passion and the love of the sport. And right now, I think for the next couple of years I really want to devote myself, as a fighter, to the sport, and just try to raise the MMA status in this country. Yeahtake it to another level and do what I can. Be a good ambassador, set an example, help other up and coming fighters, and do what I can.

IF: Well even though youre still a young fighter you have a vast amount of experience on the MMA scene. What goals would you say you have for yourself in 2004?
CN: For 2004 reinvent myself, and just become a better fighter.

IF: Any closing words for all of your fans?
CN: Uh, just check out my website February 2nd, guys. Theres going to be some really cool online contests, and everyones going to love it carlosnewton.com

IF: Okay! On behalf of InsideFighting.com, thank you so much for your time, Carlos, and best of luck to you at UFC 46!
CN: Hey, thanks man! Youre welcome!

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