Urban Grandstand Digital Issue 1 | Page 9

1ST CHOICE

FOR YOUR HAIR

"I'm big of not putting my hands on females. If it came to it I don't know. My goal is to demolish the other person"

-Darnell Pettis

Lorans R. Jones: One big question. A lot of times in MMA, we see instances where training partners are in the same weight class. They're both knocking people out, but then they end up having to fight each other. It takes a special person to fight someone you're training with. How do you overcome that?

Jerrell Hodge: That's like us. I mean, we're not training partners. We're close friends, but if it come down to it, and we're in the same gym, I couldn't do it. I might move up to another class. I couldn't fight my teammate.

Lorans R. Jones: Whether it's win, lose, draw, or close fight, something's going to be different.

Darnell Pettis: It definitely would. I'd be coming around like, he done whipped my ass (laughing)

Lorans R. Jones: OK. We're going to do a quick rapid fire. I'll ask you some questions an you tell me the first thing that comes to mind. Favorite fighting movie?

Jerrell Hodge: Matrix

Lorans R. Jones: Favorite martial arts actor/actress:

Jerrell Hodge: I like Jet Li, Jackie Chan,

Darnell Pettis: You gotta name one, you cheating (laughing) Bruce Lee!

Lorans R. Jones: What do you think you would have to do to beat your favorite martial arts actor/actress?

Jerrell Hodge: Punch him in his groin (laughing)

Darnell Pettis: I feel like I would have to get to his level. He on a different atmosphere than most people. That's the same path I'm taking.

Lorans R. Jones: Muhammad Ali, or Floyd Mayweather?

Jerrell Hodge & Darnell Pettis: Floyd Mayweather!

Lorans R. Jones: Why?

Jerrell Hodge: Reach!

Lorans R. Jones: OK. I'll give you that. Anderson Silva or John Jones?

Jerrell Hodge: John Jones.

Lorans R. Jones: Why?

Jerrell Hodge: More experience, younger dude.

Darnell Pettis: He knows what it takes to get you out of there, and he has so much in his arsenal. Once he gets to be Anderson Silva's age, he'll be even more dangerous.

Lorans R. Jones: Last questions. Boxing match. Jerrell vs Darnell. Who wins?

Jerrell Hodege: Darnell (laughing)

Lorans R. Jones: OK. Wrestling match?

Darnell Pettis: Jerrell.

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Photography by Sean D. Harris