Billy Thurston – MMAmadhouse Fighter

Billy Thurston has joined the MMAmadhouse team as a sponsored fighter, you can help support Billy by heading over to the STORE and buying a Tshirt. Lets meet Billy

Well I was born June 4th 1980 in Sheldon Vermont. Spent the 1st five years of my life growing up on the family farm in Berkshire VT. We then moved to Richford VT were my father started a new dairy farm. I attended Richford elementary school where I was a very small kid for my age. Therefor other kids thought it was ok to mess with the little guy. Being a very ruff neighborhood I had to learn to defend myself or spend my childhood covered with bruises. My father knew a guy who taught people to box. His name was Jim Sheridan. He owned a small boxing gym called Try Town Boxing Club. It was not long before I became a very skilled boxer at the young age of 8. When I was 9 years old I had my first amateur boxing match in Montreal. This fight did not turn out so well as it had been the first time I had ever been in an actual ring. I got my ass handed to me. But this only made me get back to the gym and train harder.

When I was 12 years old we moved once again to Fairfax VT where my father worked on yet another farm and I attended BFA middle school.

I had a few more fights over the next 3 years and at 15 I made my first appearance at the Vermont golden glove in an exhibition match (because you had to be at least 16 to compete for real).

At age 14 my parents got divorced and once again I had to move. We moved to St. Albans VT where I attended BFA high school. It was here I started hanging out with the wrong people and started to get into a lot of trouble. After a little over a year there my mom had enough and pulled me out of that school and we moved to Swanton VT. ( the best thing ever for me). I attended MVU high school and this is where I stayed for the next 9 years.

At age 16 I entered the golden gloves at 106lbs and won the state title. The next year I won the state title at 112lbs. The following year I had finally started to grow and entered at 132lbs and suffered a devastating KO in the finals. I did get runner up that year but to this day I still don’t remember what hit me. After this fight I took some time off about a year. And then entered once again the following year at 20 years old and again got runner up. This would turn out to be my last amateur fight as with my job and life I just could not find the time to do it any more. I finished my amateur boxing career with a record of 32 wins, 11 loses, and 1 draw.

For the next 5 years I worked 12 hour night shifts at IBM. Just living life. I then decided the crazy hours I worked was not what I wanted to do. So I quit my job at IBM and stared work as a carpenter. (framing houses mostly). I also meet the woman of my dreams that year. (Jessica Hall). I moved in with her and her 2 children when I was 26. In Alburgh VT.

After about 3 years of building houses the economy went downhill and work became scarce. With a child on the way I had to make a change. So I started working in logistics at Husky Injection Molding. (which is where I still work).

At the age of 28. On July 19, 2008 we had my daughter Cassidy Violet (who came to us 6 weeks early) at 3lbs 11oz. But she must have had her parents strenghth and determination because only 13 days later she was able to leave the hospital and come home.

In June of 2009 I attended my first MMA event (as a spectator). Here is where the fire was relit. I said to myself I can take any one of these guys any day of the week. I then started searching around to find a place to train and compete as a mixed martial artist. I was introduced to a man named “King” James McMillan. Who promoted a local event called Kaged Rage. I stared training BJJ with Vincent Guy from UVM BJJ. 4 months later I entered the cage for my MMA debut. It was a fight at 145 lbs against an unknown opponent (Doug Paquette). Only 1 min into the round I caught him in a triangle choke and tapped him out. I was on top of the world.

After this fight I decided I would need more than just BJJ training and my previous boxing experience to excel at the sport. This is when I found Dave Quinlan of Martial Way Self Defense Center in Nov. 2009. Here I began honing all aspects of MMA. In March of 2010 I was given the opportunity to compete in a 4 man tournament to determine the 1st 135 lb Burlington Brawl Champion. I was to face off against Bob Wilber. This fight was short and sweet. About 15 sec. Into the first round I caught him with a devastating left hook that sent him to the mat. The ref jumped in to call an end to the contest. I was moving on to fight for the title in July. I was matched up against Jin-Lee Dorso. A very skilled fighter with a kickboxing background. About a month away from the fight Jin had to pull out due to being excepted to Army ranger school. His replacement would be Brian Pitianello. An even more skilled fighter with a wrestling background. This turned out to be a great fight. Even though I got caught in the 3rd round by an arm bar with only 29 sec. left in the fight. (I was probably going to lose a decision anyway).

I learned a lot from this loss and it has only made me more determined.

In feb. Of 2010, we moved to St. Albans VT, in order to be closer to our jobs and for better education opportunities for our children.

This brings us to present day. I am currently preparing for a fight on Oct. 23rd at Burlington Brawl: Civil Disobedience. Against Bruce Richards, who I know nothing about except that he is from Montpelier VT.

Two weeks from then I am scheduled to fight Kyle Ehntholt at Gym Wars, at UFAI in Burlington VT. This is a great match up. We have identical records (2-1). And both of our loses are to the same guy (Brian Pitianello).

As for the future? Only time can tell.

Here’s some Q&A with fighters, friends and trainers of Billy’s (Thanks to Jessica Hall)

Q&A with Dave Quinlan
Owner of Martial Way and Bill’s Coach

Q- What stood out to you about Bill’s MMA skills when you first began training with him?

A- I knew that he was an accomplished boxer and already had a win as an MMA fighter, so I was surprised that he came in with such an open mind. He was clearly eager to learn whatever he could to make himself a better fighter.

Q- What would you say are Bill’s greatest strengths as a fighter?

A- Obviously he’s got great hands from his boxing days, but he’s far from a one-dimensional fighter. He has a solid ground game, has an MMA win by submission, he’s good in the clinch, he’s placed in a few grappling tournaments, and he comes in very well-conditioned. He’s even developed some pretty good kicks. He also has a strong competitive fire – you can tell he hates to lose. But above all is his willingness to do the work to prepare to win.

Q- If you had a fight scheduled with Bill, what would you be most concerned about?

A- I’d try to get him to eat some bad sushi the night before. But seriously, I’ll let his future opponents do their own homework on him.

Q- Describe Bill in 3 words.

A- Smart, skilled, tough.

Q- Anything you’d like to add about Bill, beyond what I’ve asked here!

A- Because of his skill and experience, he’s become a natural leader in our club. He’s always willing to help the newer guys, and has even taken time off from work to come and make an appearance for a group of school kids.
He’s really worked on his Jiu Jitsu since he got here. In fact, I was planning to promote him to Blue Belt, so I think I’ll do it right here. Congratulations, Billy!

Q&A with Deane Calcagni
Training partner

Q- What stood out to you about Bill’s MMA skills when you first began training with him?

A- His intensity and focus in the gym. Billy goes at 100%, 100% of the time. He doesn’t quit and gives everything he has in training.

Q- What would you say are Bill’s greatest strengths as a fighter?

A- Definitely his fast hands and powerful striking.

Q- If you had a fight scheduled with Bill, what would you be most concerned about?

A- I would be pretty concerned about getting caught with one of his hooks or Thai kicks. He also has a surprisingly good triangle choke and really solid ground game, though he doesn’t often need it.

Q- Describe Bill in 3 words.

A- Intense, Quick, Precise.

Q&A with Matt Lussier
High school classmate & Current training partner

Q- What stood out to you about Bill’s MMA skills when you first began training with him?

A- His extensive boxing skills. I know Billy from back in the day and knew he was into boxing but had never seen him in action.

Q- What would you say are Bill’s greatest strengths as a fighter?

A- I would have to say that his speed and striking ability are his greatest strengths.

Q- If you had a fight scheduled with Bill, what would you be most concerned about?

A- Well, based on the fact that I am 240 lbs. I would be most concerned with my conditioning and being able to keep up with him!

Q- Describe Bill in 3 words.

A- When it comes to his opponents, 3 words come to mind: One Bad Night.

MMAmadhouse wants to say THANK YOU to Dave Quinlan, Deane Calcagni, Matt Lussier and Jessica Hall for helping put this together. If you’d like to read our first interview with Billy Thurston -CLICK HERE-

Billy & I just did another interview recently and here it is: PART 2

MadHouse- How has your training camp gone leading into this fight?

Billy- Training camp has gone great. Only getting better every day. Staying healthy and ready to go.

MadHouse- What do you know about Bruce Richards?

Billy- I don’t know anything about Bruce other than he is from Montpielier VT. and this is his Debute.

MadHouse- Who have you been working with and have you changed up your training for this match?

Billy- I have been working with my main MMA instructor Dave Quinlin. Also have a bunch of other guys working with me to get me ready (Josh Cate, Simone Spano, Jason Metivier, Matt Lussier, Deane Calcagni, Ted Calcagni, Erik Hood, and Chris Dutil). I Have not changed much with my training for this fight other than a bit more strength conditioning.

MadHouse- How do you envision this fight going down?

Billy- This fight is going to go 1 of 2 ways. Ether I am going to stand and bang with him finishing it with a KO. If that does not work I will take him to the ground and submit him. Hard to say seeing as I know nothing about his style. Me winning is going to be the definite outcome though.

MadHouse- Your last fight was at 135lbs, this one is at 145lbs. Why did you decide to move up a weight class?

Billy- I only moved up a weight class so I can have the chance to fight. They did not have an opponent for me at 135 so I excepted this fight at 145.

MadHouse- What would you like to have for a walk out song

Billy- I am comming out to Hinge (Dry Kill Logic) – Pray That I Miss.

MadHouse- Do you plan on playing in the MMA Hold’em 4 -HEAVYWEIGHTS- tournament on the 24th?

Billy- Hell yeah I am playing in the Tournament. My second favorite hobby behind fighting.

MadHouse- Whats the best part about being a father?

Billy- Whats not to love about being a father? Coming home to beautiful smiles, having someone who is more a part of you than anything in the world. I love my daughter like I never thought it could be possible to love someone.

MadHouse- I truly understand! Who should the MMA fans be on the look out from your gym?

Billy- Most of our guys are new to the fight game but they are all going to make great fighters some day. (Dean and Ted Calcagni, Jason Metivier, Matt Lussier, Erik Hood). Josh Cate is also a name to look for, He will be fighting for a Muay Thai Title at 185 coming this spring.

MadHouse- Favorite holiday destination would be?

Billy- I haven’t done a whole lot of traveling but anywhere warm is where I would like to be. I am a big fan of San Diego CA.

MadHouse- Three words that best describe Billy Thurston?

Billy- Determined, funny, quick