Darren Uyenoyama is one of the most exciting featherweight grapplers and up and coming MMA stars in the U.S. He has has won multiple grappling competition throughout his career and has fought all around the world representing the U.S. Darren is also the head owner and FOUNDER of FTCC in Northern California, a MMA and Grappling school located in Daily City. Darren also know as “BONECRUSHER” has been an avid supporter of the SHOYOROLL movement and is considered family, so we take this time to talk to BC.

Getting to know Darren “BONE CRUSHER” Uyenoyama
Interview by Vince Quitugua from SYR. 10/9/09

SYR: What’s up Darren, how have you been?

BC: Pretty good, training is picking up.

SYR: For those who don’t know much about you, lets give a breakdown on how you started in the sport?

BC: I started at Ralph Gracie’s back in March of 99′. competed in BJJ for several years then had my first fight June of 02′.

SYR: You come from a gym that has trained some of the best grapplers/fighters in the world, RALPH GRACIE SAN FRANSISCO. How was is training there?

BC: The training back then was intense. People don’t believe me when I say we had 30min-1hr warm ups. We had to wait to get water, and we frequently got slapped while being called “Mother Fucker”. We did tons of situational drills starting in mount, then arm bar, and then triangle, etc…It definitely made us all tough. Plus, I was always the smallest, I weighed 115 pounds when I started and my main rival was Jason Collard. Now training has kind of changed. The school focuses on more than just a competition team.

SYR: Ralph Gracie SF has pumped out many great talents.. can you name a few you have had the honor train with and helped you with your game in the beginning?

BC: Dave Camarillo, Cameron Earle, Luke Stewart, Kurt Osiander, Ben Minkin, Jason Collard, Yuji Uchida, and Crosley Gracie. BJ Penn left just as I started so I never got the chance to roll with him.

SYR: Wow, a good list of names. How has training at such an intense gym shape you as a grappler and fighter today?

BC: Well, it really instilled in me a very competitive attitude and always made me want to strive and accomplish more. When we weren’t competing in the gym, we were still competing to see who could accomplish more, and compete at higher levels. At least I was…

SYR: Since then to now… You are know for being a very exciting Grappler and Mixed Martial Arts fighter. What is it that you are trying to achieve every time you step into the mat/ring/cage beside the wins?

BC: Well, I never really focused on the wins and losses. I was just really want to get better every time I go out there. I think the only way to do that is to really put it on the line. Plus, I love being the underdog. I think that brings out the best in my performances.

SYR: You recently opened a new gym, why don’t you give us some info on the gym and what you guys are all about?

BC: The name of my gym was originally going to be named Fog town Jiu-Jitsu, but unfortunately the city of Daly City said it sounded gang related. But we already had stuff made with FT on it. So my friend Hiroyuki Abe helped me with names and we came up with Faito Tamashii Combat Club, to match our sister school in Japan AACC. We also wanted to focus on being a more hardcore gym with real fighters, and geared more towards a competitive team. I guess I’m trying to recreate the same environment that I came from.

SYR: So what your gym is focused on building killers?

BC: Exactly, little killers, our biggest fighter is only 155 pounds.

SYR: You also do training all around with some really good fighters and grapplers. Do you believe in cross training at other gyms?

BC: Yes, I try to cross train as much as possible and when ever I can. We often have good guys fly in to train with us too. I most recently went out to 50/50 in VA to train with Ryan Hall, and then he came to town before leaving for ADCC. Plus, I like going to train in Japan a lot too.

SYR: Awesome. Ryan Hall is one of the top up and coming American grapplers. He also had a great performance at ADCC. How was training with him?

BC: It was some of the best training ever. I learned a lot, and training with him really got me back into the Jiu-Jitsu mind set instead of just training MMA. Which as a whole has helped me become more effective in MMA Training. It’s weird how these things work out. On a side note, I think when Ryan starts fighting MMA he’ll be a beast!

SYR: When coming from a jiu-jitsu & wrestling background , Do you find it hard trying to remember your strong points? Sometimes you see really good grapplers not work such great game plans in MMA? (Example: Fighters trying to stand up or use only boxing and kickboxing instead of mixing up clinch work and shots to take opponents to thee ground.)

BC: In a way I do. Especially when putting in so much time cross training. Plus, sometimes you get caught up trying to prove a point that you’re well rounded. So I try to remind myself before walking out to the ring that I am a Jiu-Jitsu fighter, and that my jiu-jitsu is how I’ll win. But, It does feel awesome to kick someone in the neck…

SYR: Ouch!!!

BC: I think Bustamante, Nogueria and BJ Penn are great BJJ guys to model yourself after.

SYR: You are know for being a great competitor. You have won multiple grappling competitions Pan American champion, Grapplers Quest Champion, USA World Champ, etc… What do you think is most important when training and mind set going into competition?

BC: Well, when I have a full closest of Shoyoroll Clothing I feel invincible. I really think trying to enjoy the whole experience has really helped me, the training and everything up to the match or fight. A lot of guys get stressed from the training and are then so freaked out before the actual event. It allows me to focus when I’m calm and having fun.

SYR: Good advice and thank you for the kind words. We will give you one more shirt for being so kind. Speaking for supporting the SHOYOROLL BRAND. Why have you picked to support the SYR BRAND instead of the other MMA BRANDS that you have probably been solicited to support in the past?

BC: There are actually quite a few reasons.

1) You guys backed me up since I was an unknown blue belt

2) I like what the company stands for, backing guys up from the grass roots level, always supporting us not only with threads, but through networking, and getting us exposure.

3) Everyone evolved in the brand and the message behind the brand is positive. No, bad ass tattoo printed Affliction type shit.

4) Because the designs are always new, fresh, and continually innovating. Plus, chicks diggit!

SYR: What is some advice you can give to grapplers trying to make this grappling a career and looking for sponsors?

BC: The best advice would be to stay very selective of who you associate with. Don’t only be motivated by money, it’s nice but your image is more important. So you don’t want to sell out to support some big co that everyone else is wearing because then you’ll just fade into the crowd. It’s also very important to only deal with guys you have good relationships with because it will go a lot longer. So once you become good enough the real money will come when people want to be your exclusive sponsor. Not just one of many on overly crowded shorts.

SYR: Before we go to the next questions, why the hell do they call you BONECRUSHER? Are all the myths and stories true about you eating animal bones every night as a part of your culture?

BC: Luke Stewart actually gave me the name. It was really a training accident, I broke my friends arm probably after training only 3 months or so. I think it stuck because Ralph like most Brazilians can’t remember anyone’s name. BC just happened to be easier to remember than Darren. Plus, chicks diggit…

SYR: The question now comes.. When will we be seeing more of BC? The grappling circuit, Dream, Strikeforce, or WEC?

BC: I was actually training to fight in this upcoming Dream 12 in Osaka. My opponent was suppose to be Maeda. Both FEG, and TBS approved it but unfortunately Maeda, and his manager declined. He’s now facing Chase Beebe. I’m currently discussing contract stuff with Strikeforce and won’t fight for them until it’s resolved. Dream offered me to fight in their sister show Deep in an upcoming event, and that I will fulfill my Dream contract sometime early next year. But just incase WEC, Shooto, and Sengoku are always options. Right now I’m planning on competing Nov 8th in the NOGI Mundials at Feather Weight.

SYR: Awesome. What are your plans and goals for the next 3-5 years?

BC: Well, I already have 3 Champion MMA fighters out of my gym and 5 up and comers. So I plan on being around the Cage/Ring for awhile. It seems like every week somebody is cutting weight and doing something. I hopefully want to make it out to Guam soon, I heard on your 3rd day there, you can get a cool clothing brand tattoo! Other then that, I can see myself fighting 2-3 times a year.

SYR: What would you like to add to the interview to your fan’s and people who want to get in touch with you?

BC: I’ll just leave the website www.ftcombatclub.com, or people can follow d_uyenoyama on twitter.

THE QUICK 8!!

SYR: Favorite 3 grapplers?

BC: Marcelo Garcia, Ryan Hall, and Baret Yoshida.

SYR: Favorite 3 MMA fighters

BC: Joachim Hansen, BJ Penn, Kenny Florian, and Bustamante. Sorry 4, a BJJ guys..

SYR: Favorite foods

BC: Sushi, Steak, and Korean BBQ.

SYR: One place to visit before you die?

BC: Kyra Gracie’s bed

SYR: Hottest chick on the planet

BC: Damn, that’s tough. Jessica Alba before she got herpes!

SYR: Three things people don’t know about BC?

BC: I drive a minivan called “The Man Van”, any chance I get I’ll be at the beach, and I’m the biggest mama’s boy you’ll ever meet.

SYR: Dream place to retire?

BC: Hopefully some place warm with beaches, and plenty of alcoholic beverages>

SYR: Gi or Nogi?

BC: I’m not to picky, Nogi 80%, Gi 20%.

SYR: Darren thank you so much for your time and doing this interview at 1am in the morning.

BC: No Prob, anything for SYR!