ROF 41: Brian Wood

When most people talk about an MMA Fighter, they interpret that to mean ‘Cage Fighter’ and not Mixed Martial Artist. Brian “Seraiah” Wood is a perfect example of what it TRULY means to be a mixed martial artist. Wood was born and raised in Arvada, CO and first started wrestling when he was nine years old. He was all-state wrestler in high school, where he took fifth and third in state. After high school Wood wrestled for The University of Wyoming until an ankle injury cut his wrestling career short in his junior year. After that he came back to Colorado and started coaching wrestling at Arvada West High School. Then in 2007, after helping other some other notable MMA fighters work on their wrestling skills, Wood decided to try his hand at MMA.

Although wrestling has been a dominate force in Wood’s life, is not the only weapon in this mixed martial artist’s arsenal. Heavily influenced by Chinese superstar, Bruce Lee, Brian began to practice Wing Chun Kung Fu and now studies under the renowned teachers, Sifu Stephen Joffe, and Shaolin Warrior Deciple Shifu Yan Lei. In addition to this, Wood also trains at Sledgehammer Thai Boxing with MMA veteran James McSweeny. Brian says it’s not like traditional Muay Thai training, but geared more for effectiveness in the mma cage, “With James it’s such a different style. It’s more about devastating, nasty, rotational
movements. I learn something new every day.”

Now returning to the cage after a two year hiatus due to an injury, Wood says “I just want be the best fighter I can be, and prove to myself that all this training has come into fruition.” As for his game plan, he said that all he really wants to, “…try and go out and be free and express myself.” Brian is approaching this fight with a respectful modesty, “I’ve learned in this sport that if you have ego and arrogance, you’re going to get crushed. I’m trying to come into this with a positive, humble demeanor, and change everything that I was in the past into a brand new Seraiah.”

Studying multiple styles of martial arts, and have a solid wrestling background, Brian “Seraiah” Wood is a perfect example of what it means to be a mixed martial artist. He hopes to get back on the winning path on August 20, at Ring Of Fire 41: BRAGGING RIGHTS, but he will have his work cut out for him facing Jarred Mercado at the First Bank Center in Broomfield. For tickets go to www.tickethorse.com