Nam Phan: UFC Featherweight Sits Down for an Exclusive Interview

A lifelong martial artist, Nam Phan has been involved in combat sports since entering Taekwondo at age four. Nearly a quarter-century later, he has yet to look back.

Since making his mixed martial arts debut in late 2001, Phan has racked up 16 professional victories and has competed under the World Extreme Cagefighting, King of the Cage, Strikeforce, and Sengoku banners in both the United States and Japan.

Outside of mixed martial arts, Phan holds black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Quyen Dao, in addition to three career professional boxing victories. 

A member of Team Koscheck on "The Ultimate Fighter 12", Phan picked up wins over Mike Budnik, Spencer Paige and Cody McKenzie before dropping a controversial split-decision loss to tournament-favourite Michael Johnson.

In his first bout following his time on "The Ultimate Fighter", Phan was once again on the receiving end of a controversial split-decision loss—this time at the hands of Leonard Garcia.

On March 26th, Phan will have the opportunity to redeem himself against Garcia when the two meet at UFC Fight Night: Ortiz vs. Nogueira in Seattle, Washington.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Phan.

How’s life for Nam Phan these days?

Life is good—it’s fun, you know?

That’s great. If you weren’t a professional mixed martial artist, what do you think you would be doing, Nam?

Ah, probably working with some type of corporate company or something, something business for sure... I went to Cal State Fullerton.    

You graduated?

No. I dropped out in my junior year and I was 40 credits shy of graduating with a Bachelor’s in Business Marketing at Cal State Fullerton when I decided to pursue a life in mixed martial arts.

Do you have any intention on going back and finishing your degree?

No intention. I have no desire—I’m not motivated whatsoever to go back to school and get my degree. I think people go to school to find a niche in life, you know, find something that can make them money, but I felt that I already had that and I was going to keep going with it.

For me, now it’s, if you don’t know what you want to do in life, go to school. But I think I found my calling, and, for me to go back just to get the grades and show off, it would just be a waste of time for me.

If I go back, I wouldn’t go just to educate myself—just to further my mind.

Your family got you involved in martial arts at a very young age, were they ever involved in martial arts themselves?

My mom wasn’t. My dad and my grandparents, my brothers, uncles, and cousins were all involved in, like, Tae Kwon Do and stuff.

Did you have any role models growing up?

Um, no I didn’t.

Really?

If I had any role model it would be my parents. I figured, no matter how bad or hard I think I have it, my parents for sure had it worse.

I mean, they came to this country with no money, didn’t speak any English, had to go to a refugee camp and everything. You know, I didn’t have to get shot at to leave my country to find a new life.

So, no matter how bad I think I’ve got it, they inspire me to keep going and keep trying.

Through the peaks and valleys, did you ever think that you’d be able to make a living off of your passion for martial arts?

You know, that was always the dream, but I never thought it would come like this—I didn’t think I’d be able to live like this.

It’s pretty good; I’m having a really good time right now. Martial arts, you know, as a kid growing up, you see some of the old masters.  It’s a tough life because it’s on pure passion.

That’s why I went to school, I always had something to fall back on, or, if not having a set career, I could do fighting for fun. Luckily, I get to have a livelihood that I’m very passionate about.

How does it feel to be in the UFC?

Oh, you know, very gratifying. I feel like I’ve finally made it to the big leagues. You train and you fight all of these small shows your whole life and the dream, the goal, is to finally make it to the UFC. And, now, I feel that this is, like, the major leagues—the NFL of mixed martial arts and I get to play with the big boys now.

Were you at all apprehensive about going on to "The Ultimate Fighter"? Did you ever think it could have a negative impact on your career?

Oh, of course.  There’s always a good and bad of every situation. I weighed the risks and the rewards of going on "The Ultimate Fighter". I just thought that I could get more good from it rather than it being something harmful to my career. If you watch "The Ultimate Fighter", some things, a lot of good came out of it, and I think some bad might have, too. I think, all in all, it was a very good move for my career—it helped my martial arts school very much as well.

Looking back, is there anything that you would have done anything different during your time on the show?

No. I think, I feel like, everything happens for a reason and I have no regrets on what happened. I wouldn’t change anything—everything fits just in the right place.

Would you recommend ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ to an aspiring mixed martial artist?

Oh, of course! I would recommend it if you’ve got a good number of fights under your belt, have got some experience and if you go in there, you won’t get stage fright.

For me, you know, I’m the smallest guy, the shortest guy. I wasn’t the strongest, or the fastest, but I think I won a lot of fights because of my experience. To further your career, you get exposure and improve your fanbase, I think "The Ultimate Fighter" definitely helps a lot.

Was there anyone that left a particularly lasting impression on you?

Oh yeah,two people. Jonathan Brookins and Kyle Watson—we got along together really well in the house. Jonathan Brookins, he’s such a great, humble awesome guy, you know? As a fighter, an athlete—that guy's an amazing athlete.

Kyle Watson, I really respect him very much as a gentleman and as a professional athlete.

Those two are guys that I really look up to, adore, you know? Those are real cool guys. One more guy—Josh Koscheck.

Before going on the show I had the same perspective as everyone else.  It was very negative, and I thought Josh Koscheck was going to be very arrogant. When I got picked for his team I was very worried, but, once I got to know him, that guy, he’s not what I thought he would be. I learned a lot from that guy, he’s a really good guy. If anyone ever has the chance to talk with him in person, he’s a real good guy.

Do you speak with Josh often?

No, I don’t. You know, we text back and forth every once in a while, but he’s very busy with his life and I’m busy with my life, as well.

Looking back, had you been picked to Team St. Pierre, do you think your experience would’ve been any different?

Oh, sure—I’m sure it would’ve been. I think I got paired up with all of the jerks in the house. The guy I got along with the most on my team was Andy Main—he’s not a jerk and Aaron Wilkinson is not bad either.

It would’ve been different, but I’m not sure how much different. I remember this, Kyle Watson told me, “When this show airs, you guys are going to be the 'bad guys' of the show.” I was like, “How was that? Are you crazy? We’re not the bad guys—we’re the good guys!” Looking back, I was like, “Dude, Kyle Watson was right—I’m on the team with all the jerks!” I’m looking at it from my perspective, I think I'm a nice guy.  I train in a very respectful way, I’m very humble and nice to everyone. I look around my team, we’ve got freakin’ douche bag Marc Stevens.  I’m like, “Ah man! Ah, dang it!” It was like a wake up call—I’m one of the bad guys.

[Laughs] Do you think that you were cast in a negative light?

I really hope not. Whatever stunts those guys did, I tried not to get too involved in them. Sometimes I get too excited, I get caught up in the moment, but for the most part, I think most people would see that maybe out of the whole group I was probably one of the more...I’d say, ah... normal? I’d hate to say it, but, civilized? I think it shows, because eventually towards the end the season, they all turned their backs on me.

Was this your first time trying out for the show or had you tried out earlier?

Yeah, I was supposed to originally be on season four with the lightweights. I was supposed to be the first Asian-American on the show, but some things came up, and I gave the opportunity to my good friend Andy Wang. He became the first Asian-American on "The Ultimate Fighter".

Is there anywhere else that you’d like to compete, or is the UFC the pinnacle of the sport in your eyes?

I mean, I think for me, I’ve competed in all of the big organizations—Strikeforce, Sengoku in Japan—and I don’t think there’s much left for me to compete in. The UFC is the top dog, it’s the major league.  All of the elite fighters fight in the UFC. Now, I’m not saying, you know, I’m the top of the elite.  I may be at the bottom of the elite but, nonetheless, I’m in there mixing it up.

Outside of your own training, you own your own academy?

Yes, I own my own academy and I teach and I train there, as well... It’s in Garden Grove, California in Northern Orange County.

How long have you been coaching?

I started out of my garage, but my official academy, I’ve only had it open for two and a half years. It’s awesome, all I get paid to do is train and teach all day. I get to spend time with really great people, the atmosphere in my gym is very positive, and it’s a very good aura.

Sometimes these douche bag jerks try to sign up—if you come in here, you’ve got to be very respectful, and if not, I’ll kick ‘em out. I really don’t want any mixed emotions or confrontations in my academy.

Outside of mixed martial arts, what are you interested in?

When I do have time, of course girls. I enjoy surfing. I like to surf on my long board when I get a chance but I’ve been so busy with fights and training. This summer, I plan on going surfing at least once a week. I’m not a good swimmer, so I make sure when I fall off my board—I’m not a good surfer either, so I mess up a lot—but, when I fall off my board, I really try to hang onto that leash and hope I don’t drown.

How long have you been surfing?

Oh, man. I started surfing in 2004, I think.

It seems like you’re a pretty busy guy. Do you agree with Chael Sonnen when he says that, “full-time fighters are full-time lazy”?

I don’t know, I don’t think I’m lazy. I don’t agree with that at all, I think fighters put in a lot of work, you know?

Chael Sonnen, that guy does a lot. Fights, he does politics, he’s a family man—that’s pretty good, man. Me, I train, I fight, I own my own academy—I think I have a pretty hectic life, too. I’ve got to give it to Chael Sonnen, he’s a grinder, man, he’s a very hard worker.

You’re next bout is a rematch with Leonard Garcia in late March. How’s your training going?

Training is going very well—no injuries, right now. Things are looking very good, my pace and everything is really good, right now.

How excited are you for a chance at redemption against Leonard Garcia?

I’m very excited. It’s a fight, you know? I don’t look at it as a rematch, I just look at it as another fight to correct my record or put another loss on my record—whichever. I don’t look at it as a rematch, you know?

Leonard is going to come in there as a different fighter. I don’t think he’s going to have the same game plan and strategy, so I’ve got to outsmart him. I’ve just got to do my best.

All things considered, how do you feel about your bout against Garcia?

How do I feel? I feel like I whupped his butt.

Are you at all bitter about the outcome?

Well, of course, you know, if you win a fight you should get the win. But at the moment, I was a little flustered, but I didn’t want to get angry and burst out in outrage. I just tried to keep my cool. I didn’t want to represent mixed martial arts in a negative light or even my own people in my community in a negative light. You’ve just got to let it go and move on and don’t let it haunt you.

How hard are you going to work to keep your fate out of the hands of the judges in the future?

Yes, definitely. I don’t know how Leonard does it, man—he gets some decisions. I think he lost against “Zombie” you know? I don’t think he should have got a split decision against Mark Hominick. And me—I think I beat him worse than Hominick or “Zombie”, so I don’t even see how it was a loss.

Assuming you win in March, is there any opponent that you have your sights set on?

I don’t have any one opponent in particular, but anyone I fight—I just want them to bring a fight, you know, and make it an exciting fight for the fans to watch. And, for me, to watch it again, I want to watch it and say, “Wow, that was a good fight.” Whoever it may be, just someone that’s active and exciting.

A little further down the line—where do you see yourself in five years?

Five more years? Jeez, I hope I’m still fighting for the UFC.  I’ll be one of the older fighters by then and won’t have too many more fights left after that, but I hope to retire in the UFC.

Have you thought about what you’d like to do when your fighting days are behind you?

What I’ll do is probably focus on my academy, maybe open up a few more. Whatever I do, my life will always revolve around martial arts.

Is there anything that you’d like to say to your fans while you have this opportunity?

Thanks to everyone from the mixed martial arts community, the Vietnamese and Asian-American community for always supporting me and having my back—I really appreciate.

Thank you to Mr. Ed Kapp for the interview, of course.