Jesse Finney has been around combat sports for a very long time. He has participated in all forms of fighting including kickboxing, boxing, and mixed martial arts. Finney also served as head coach of his hometown St. Louis Enforcers of the World Combat league, which of course was started by Chuck Norris.
Finney also owns, operates and trains at his 17,000 square foot facility in St. Louis. The gym serves host to both the young and the old. Finney prides himself of training people from all walks of life. Whether it is someone looking to get into shape or a fighter looking to sharpen his skills, Finney works with them all.
Heavy MMA recently had an opportunity to speak with Finney about his gym and his upcoming fight against Justin DeMoney this Saturday night on the Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery card that will take place at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
Heavy MMA: Can you tell us a little about your background? How did you get your start in combat sports?
Jesse Finney: When I was about nine years old I took up boxing which has a real rich tradition here in St. Louis. About a year or two after that I began kickboxing with my stepfather Robert Biggs who had competed on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. I went to college and when I finished I took up kickboxing again. I made a name for myself and after awhile I had all of these grapplers coming and asking me to train them stand-up.
Heavy MMA: So it wasn’t until after college that you made the transformation from strictly stand-up fighter to all-around mixed martial artist?
Jesse Finney: I began teaching and in return they taught me how to wrestle. I got my ass kicked day in and day out and as a matter of fact, I still do. We have some great wrestlers at our gym who really know what they are doing. Along the way I picked up some jiu-jitsu. I would say it wasn’t until about 2-3 years ago that I really picked this up full steam.
Heavy MMA: How difficult is it to juggle your fighting career while you own, operate and train at your gym.
Jesse Finney: It’s not easy, but I certainly enjoy it. We have over 500 students at our gym right now. That’s not including the members who are part of our health club. If that isn’t enough, I run Shamrock Promotions, which we started in 1999. My partner Rob Donaker and I started out by holding events in small venues. We now work with organizations like Strikeforce, World Combat League and X-Fights.
Heavy MMA: So what made you decide to start taking your MMA career more seriously?
Jesse Finney: I didn’t want to be the guy who was sitting on my couch at 40-years-old wondering what if. I don’t need the money, I don’t need the fame, and I just wanted to test myself before it was too late. I’m training twice a day, six days a week. I take this very seriously. I am doing this for one person and that is strictly for me.
Heavy MMA: What can you tell us about your opponent Justin DeMoney?
Jesse Finney: I know he is 14-2 and is coming off a couple victories over some UFC veterans. He’s a young up and coming fighter. He offers me an excellent opportunity to challenge myself physically and mentally. I am definitely the underdog, but I could care less.
Heavy MMA: Have you trained anywhere else but your own gym?
Jesse Finney: Actually, I just got back from Vegas not too long ago. I was there training with Shawn Tompkins. I have been close friends with Shawn for years. I went out there and stayed in a little hotel room by myself and trained. It got me away from everything so I could go and not only become a better fighter, but a better coach as well.
Heavy MMA: What do you find more satisfying- training your students or competing yourself?
Jesse Finney: Everything I did up until I was 24 was for me. Then from the age of 24-30 I was doing for everyone else. I worked as hard as I could so that when I was 35-40 years old I wouldn’t be sitting somewhere with nothing to show for my work. At the end of the day, my favorite thing in the world is training my guys and my girls. All I ask is that they work their asses off for me. If they do that, I will do anything for them.
Heavy MMA: What is it like competing in front of your hometown fans?
Jesse Finney: It is just awesome. Everyone talks about the pressure of competing at home, but I love it. I have probably fought half of my bouts in St. Louis. It’s nice to be appreciated by the fans. I have a great relationship with everyone here whether I am competing or running a show here.
Heavy MMA: Who are some of the trainers at your gym?
Jesse Finney: I have to say I am lucky to have such a great group of instructors. Ezra Lenon is a brown belt under Kiko France. He came to us from American Top Team. Harold Petty is one of our boxing coaches. We got a young guy by the name of Tom Aaron who has been training in MMA for just over 2 ½ years. He teaches the ground game along with Pat Benson who is a jiu-jitsu instructor. Kevin Engel is a boxing coach who has been with us for over 8 years. There are so many more great people at our facility.
Heavy MMA: Which two fighters who train out of your gym are also competing on the card with you Saturday night?
Jesse Finney: We have Booker DeRousse who is a light heavyweight fighting and then there is Tom Aaron who competes as a lightweight. Both of these guys are tough and can do a lot of good things inside that cage.
Heavy MMA: How will this fight with DeMoney turn out?
Jesse Finney: I am prepared for whatever comes my way. If he wants to the ground then let’s go to the ground. If he wants to stand and trade then go for it. It doesn’t matter to me. I train all areas and I feel as though I am getting better every day.
Heavy MMA: How far do you see yourself taking your fighting career?
Jesse Finney: I’ll take this one fight and evaluate things after it’s over. Like I said before, I am fighting for myself not for anyone else. Right now I am 35-years-old and I am in great shape. I am lucky enough to have done it all in this business. I have been in management, training and fighting. There aren’t too many people who can juggle all three jobs at once. When it’s all said and done I hope people can look back and say that I did it all. I also learned a long time ago to surround myself with good people. My partner Rob is definitely my right hand man and the best thing about him is he cares just as much as I do. Without all of these good people working alongside me, I wouldn’t be where I am at today.
To visit Finney MMA go to www.finneyskickboxing.com