28 Oct ForLife:FuryMadness
An open mind, strong work ethic and unbridled passion can go a long way. It’s helped former Guam resident and standout athlete Richard Chou make it in the world of professional sports.
The American Red Cross
Chou, who played Division 1 collegiate volleyball at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., is a former member of the Guam national volleyball team as well as the recipient of the Most Valuable Player award in both the Interscholastic Basketball and Volleyball Leagues as a senior in 1997.
While he had a lot of success as an amateur, his professional success came in the world of mixed martial arts, and it wasn’t due to his athletic prowess. Chou’s work ethic has taken him from passing out promotional fliers for MMA events to his current position as a member of the matchmaking team for one of the largest professional MMA organizations in the world, Strikeforce.
“I am lucky I get to do this for a living,” the St. John’s School graduate said via telephone from San Jose, Calif.
“Most people never get to pursue their passion and I am grateful for it.”
Getting started
Going into his senior year of college Chou got his first taste of MMA through Brazilian jiu-jitsu when John Calvo, founder of Purebred Guam, invited Chou to train with him.
“He was a big athlete and I needed a sparring partner,” Calvo said.
Chou decided to give it a try and enjoyed the individual aspect of MMA since he always played team sports.
“It was something different. It was really intense,” he said.
Calvo immediately noticed Chou’s work ethic was off the charts. Calvo said he could foresee Chou doing bigger things because of his dedication and transparency.
“He always puts family first, he works really hard,” Calvo said. “He’s always got good ideas and he’s honest.”
After graduating college, Chou decided it was time to move on from volleyball and made the transition to MMA. Chou took his first professional fight in 2002 and two years later an opportunity to start doing work outside of the ring enticed Chou to try his hand at promoting. After six years of hard work, he’s made it.
Behind the scenes
Chou said his duty as a matchmaker for Strikeforce is more complicated than this guy fighting that guy. He describes a typical work day as “a constant state of motion.” On any given day he could be trying to schedule Fedor Emelianenko’s next fight, speaking with a fighter from Japan or, most recently, setting the stage for the release of “EA Sports MMA,” Electronic Arts’ newest video game.
Despite the hectic nature of the job, Chou said it is worthwhile when the fans and fighters enjoy the show. He compared it to the adrenaline high a fighter experiences following a rousing victory.
“We get a rush from putting on a great show,” he said.
He calls the sport his passion so going to work each day isn’t a chore. Chou likened it to a lifestyle since his leisure time consists of training or watching MMA.
“It’s a very big part of my life,” he added.
Picking himself up
But life wasn’t always a success for the 31-year-old. Prior to joining Strikeforce, Chou was working with another professional MMA organization called Elite Xtreme Combat. The company folded in October 2008 and Chou was left without a job.
“I took some time off and did some soul searching,” he said.
For the first time in several years, Chou was unemployed and left pondering which direction to head. Rock bottom is what he called that point in his life because the sport he loved so much, left him with nothing.
In spite of losing his job, his good reputation within the industry got the attention of Strikeforce’s chief executive officer Scott Coker. Coker then brought Chou aboard to fulfill the critical role of matchmaker.
“Scott really helped me take my career to the next level,” Chou said.
Coker said he reached out to Chou because the two had previously worked together when Strikeforce partnered with EliteXC to produce two MMA events.
“He stood out because he was doing most of the work,” Coker said via telephone from San Jose.
Hard work pays off
Coker said about 50 to 75 people apply for a job at Strikeforce each month, but Chou’s knowledge and passion for the sport separate him from the rest. Coker added that he has high aspirations for Chou in the next couple of years.
“Hopefully he can run Strikeforce one day and I can step down,” Coker said.
JD Penn, the president of Rumble World Entertainment, agrees that Chou has the dedication and work ethic needed to succeed. Rumble World Entertainment is a Hawaii-based MMA company that has hosted events such as the Rumble On The Rock series.
“I have worked with a lot of promoters and I would say he has a lot more dedication to this sport than anyone else. He understands how important it is to have a good work ethic and to be honest and genuine in this sport,” Penn, whose brother is professional fighter BJ Penn, said via e-mail.
JD Penn added that Chou has a wealth of experience in MMA because he has worked as a fighter, a referee and a promoter. Therefore, JD Penn believes Chou has the ability to navigate his career because of his vast experience.
“It’s really up to him,” JD Penn said.
Giving thanks
Chou said he met JD Penn in 2004 and the two clicked immediately. Chou began working with JD Penn to promote Rumble On The Rock. Chou credits JD Penn for introducing him to the promotional side of the sport.
“I am very grateful that JD gave me a start in the business,” Chou said.
Chou thanks his parents for their constant support and understanding as well as teaching him the value of hard work. He also thanks his coaches throughout high school and college.
Chris Shepherd, Chou’s high school volleyball coach, said Chou was able achieve success at a higher level because his dedication to volleyball at the time was unmatched.
“He was always the first one in practice and the last one to leave,” Shepherd said.
Chou credits Shepherd for helping him play collegiate volleyball. Chou also thanks Calvo, Melchor Manibusan, Steve Roberto and Roman Dela Cruz for introducing MMA to him. He is also appreciative for the friendship and support he has received from JD Penn.
Life lessons
No longer at the bottom, Chou said MMA has taught him about life and the importance of perseverance, patience and having faith.
“You just got to grind it out,” he said. “There were a lot of intelligent people who got into MMA and failed. It’s a really tough business.”
He added that hard work and passion are the two key ingredients for people striving to break into the sport. Whether in the ring or behind the scenes, Chou said always remember to have fun, don’t burn any bridges and try to absorb as much as information as possible.
“Be a sponge and take it all in.”