An Interview with Guro Brandon Bennett

by Brandon Bennett on 06/02/22

by Gavin Dickson

How long have you been involved in MMA?

GBB:  Since 1992 (the UFC started in 1993)

What interested you?

GBB:  Martial arts tend to specialize in a particular range or method. A blend of martial arts to make me more well-rounded and capable appeals to me.

Who are your mentors or those you look up to?

GBB:  In martial arts, my instructors. Dan Inosanto, protégé of Bruce Lee, who at 85, still trains and pursues excellence in the martial arts. Terry Gibson, who introduced me to my instructors and showed me how to chase your goals even through adversity. He had brain cancer and eventually lost that battle 15 years after they told him he would be dead. Chai Sirisuite, who introduced Muay Thai to America and has taught me Thai boxing and about life. Harley Elmore, who has been a friend and mentor throughout my journey and pushes me to excellence in the technical aspects of the arts and makes me stay focused on the practical. Christopher Sayoc Sr. who influenced the way I think in the short period of time I knew him and continues to influence me through his art and instructors that he trained.

In the sport itself, I admire Erik Paulson, who was a pioneer in the sport, and Greg Nelson. Both are good people, good coaches, and great examples.

What made you decide to start instructing?

GBB:  I originally taught traditional martial arts at the request of parents who didn’t have access to the arts in small-town Oklahoma. I continued as a way to build training partners. I eventually found that training people to be better and more capable was my calling.

Do you ever feel the art is too violent?

GBB:  For what? Are we talking about the sport? Are we talking about preparation for personal protection? To answer both those questions, no. I feel that the sport of MMA should take care of Fighters both during and after their career. If we’re talking about personal protection, how violent is the world? We need to be prepared for at least that level of violence.

How do you feel about groups like the UFC?

GBB:  The UFC is a business that sells entertainment. As a result, their goal is to make money. They have done that well. I don’t know if the sport of MMA is representative of the standard idea of martial arts discipline and respect.

How do you feel MMA has benefited you?

GBB:  It has kept me fit in mind and body, in a time when many of my contemporaries are less capable in their lives because of inactivity. It has provided a number of relationships with friends and mentors that I would not have otherwise. It provides a needed retreat mentally from the day to day. It is hard to think about anything else when someone is trying to take your head off. It’s surprising how therapeutic that can be.

What have been disadvantages?

GBB:  It is hard for me to imagine disadvantages. Some people would say injuries. I find that we all are going to accumulate scars throughout our life. My scars tell stories that I am proud of. I don’t know if I could be as proud if I couldn’t walk in my old age because I sat down and watched Netflix.

Do you think MMA should be learned by everyone?

GBB:  The sport of MMA? No. The sport isn’t for everyone. I do believe that learning how to defend oneself and not be physically controlled is a life skill as important as cooking, swimming, or driving. Everyone should make themselves as capable as possible in this arena.

What would be your advice for those that are wanting to begin the journey?

GBB:  Approach the journey as a marathon. It is not a sprint. Find good coaches/mentors who have the approach and the ethics that you think best matches yours. Show up. Do what you’re told. Work hard.