Kind of intimidating, don't you think?

Last Wednesday, I interviewed a man named Frederick W. Gunner. I met him at Sen Shin Kan Dojo here in Oklahoma City. While at the gym, I met another man. He was training with another person. The two grappled, tumbled, and the trainer offered the man sound advice about MMA. I would later shake his hand. Firm grip, the break-your-hand-kind-of-handshake. It was unintentional. One week later after interviewing Gunner, I sit in Sen Shin Kan Dojo interviewing the other man. His name is uniquely Alfred Ratcliff, also known as Zeus.

Ready to show off some moves.

We met at the Sen Shin Kan Dojo for our interview. Other men wrestled and grappled in the dojo, while Alfred and I started talking. He brought his family, too. Admittedly, I was hoping for some sensationalism or hype or unique transformation, but Alfred had something more to offer than the rags-to-riches Cinderella story. Even though that stereotypical story would probably garner more attention, Alfred’s journey is just as unique.

“I was raised in Guthrie,” said Alfred. I asked him about where he grew up at. He lived a decent life. His father was an oil field engineer and his mother managed an aging service, which is a program that feeds the elderly. Despite a decent life, at age 18, Ratcliff left his home, wanting to live on his own. His parents were and are good to him.

“Why didn’t you go to school?” I asked.

“It wasn’t for me. I would’ve partied and chased girls,” Ratcliff said.

“It’s not for everybody. It’s more of a social event than actual school for most,” I said, “At least, you’re debt free.”

Moving out was Ratcliff’s way of discovering who he was. of. At 25 years old, Ratcliff is training as an MMA fighter knowing who he is as a man and has a family to support.

He is an aggressive striker.

“Everything everybody wishes they would’ve done, I did,” said Ratcliff. He spoke about living how he wanted. He partied like most youth. Drank. Girls. And stuff.

His son runs around the dojo as we speak. The rambunctious toddler kept moving, laughing, and exploring what the vast dojo has to offer.

“Hold on,” Ratcliff said. He ran over to his son. Picked him up. Ratcliff showed the child a punching bag; the child punched the bag. Smiled. He held his son proudly. Smiled. Ratcliff’s wife watched them. She smiled too.

“How’d you hear about Rage in the Cage?” I asked.

“A guy at Sen Shin Kan told me about it,” Ratcliff said. In October of 2015, he walked into the dojo. Started training the with the people. Since that day in October, he hasn't looked back.

“I’ve always been interested,” Ratcliff said. He was referring to an interest in MMA.

“How long before you fought in your first fight?” I asked.

“I trained for eight months,” Ratcliff said.

He was determined to learn as much as possible. He desired to learn the proper form and how to fight the right way before he entered the ring. His first fight lasted 33 seconds. I watched the video. In 33 seconds, Ratcliff dodged a roundhouse kick, tackled the opponent, landed several blows, and caused the competition to tap. Ratcliff was the victor.

Some quick jab combos.

“What are your goals in MMA?” I asked.

“I want to do this the rest of my life,” Ratcliff said.

“What do you want to be?” I asked.

“I want to be the best,” Ratcliff said. Straightforward. Straight to the point. He declared his true intentions.

“I train like the person is a better fighter than I am,” Ratcliff said.

“There’s no one that trains harder than me.” He comes to the dojo two to three times a week but trains at home too.

“I work 60 hours a week. I come home, run two miles a day. I jump rope. I train every day,” Ratcliff said. Immediately after work, he goes home to a second job, MMA training. He might not be at the dojo as much as other fighters, but Ratcliff doesn’t take a day off. Close to wrapping up the interview, he started looking for his family.

Another punch; another day closer to the dream.

“Where they at?” he asked, ”Hold on.” He walked to the front door, looking outside for his family. Even while we’re conducting an interview, his family was right at the front of thoughts.

“How’d you meet your wife?” I asked.

“We met at 7/11,” He said and smiled. They started dating and the rest was history. The two have been together for five years.

“How do you feel about him fighting?” I asked his wife.

“I support him completely. He’s passionate about it,” his wife said. She backed his decision wholeheartedly. She was anxious about the first fight, but that didn’t stop her from supporting the young amateur fighter.

I learned the two went through some tough times. They both lived out of a car for several months. They were homeless. They couch surfed. The two couldn’t find jobs. However, they are now stable.

The birth of their young son changed everything. Once Ratcliff’s son was born, he decided it was time to grow up. Be responsible. He works with Gunner at the same company. 60 hours a week. Paid overtime.

“Whatever it takes, I’ll provide for my family,” Ratcliff said.

“He’s a gentleman. He provides for us. He’s respectful,” his wife said.

Fast as lighting; the camera couldn't keep up.

Like interviewing others before them, I decided to offer the family a meal for their time. We decided to eat at IHOP. They gathered their tenacious son and we left. We arrived at an IHOP on the Southside, up the street from the Waffle House Gunner and I went to.

“So what did you think before you got in the ring at the first fight? I asked.

“Go in and win it,” Ratcliff said. He didn’t know anything about his first opponent. He was determined to win. He was scheduled to fight the same day as the interview. I asked him a couple questions about it.

“Do you know anything about your opponent?” I asked.

“No,” Ratcliff said.

“What do you think about him?” I asked.

“He’s just another man in the way,” Ratcliff said, “I want to make it to UFC. And nothing will stop me.”

High kicked.

Ratcliff didn’t eat at IHOP. He had to remain prepared for the fight.

“Get a meal for after the fight,” I said.

He ordered chicken and fries. Through talking to his wife and watching his actions, I learned Ratcliff is a loving father that left his childhood behind. He’s determined. He’s driven. He supports a family. He has grit.

“I work too hard for him to struggle. I want him to go to a good school and learn,” Ratcliff said.

“Sunday is my only day off,” Ratcliff said.

“Is Sunday family day?” I asked

“Yeah,” he said.

His eight months of training have paid off and will pay off for the fight scheduled today.

“What do you guys do?” They both laughed and looked at me.

“We just lay around and watch movies. Go to F.Y.E. Buy a couple movies and watch them,” his wife said. We finished our meals. I paid the bill. They leave. I shook their hands, even the tenacious toddler son, and wife. A wife backing him completely and Ratcliff’s blunt driven determination will carry him to the UFC ring.

I met a man that loves his family.

I met a man that is devoted, determined, and driven.

I met a fighter.

Hopefully, I can do a follow up on the amateur fighter.

I know i got the first interview of a great man.

I asked what on the walls reflected his life. He chose the banner behind him. I caught him off guard, taking a picture mid-thought and mid-response. Who will work harder?