411 MMA Interview: Into The Crow's Nest - An Exclusive Conversation With David Loiseau

Posted by Todd Bergman on 02.19.2009

411's Todd Bergman recently had the opportunity to speak with UFC veteran David "The Crow" Loiseau. Among the topics discussed were David's past UFC fights, his return to the Octagon, training, Evan Tanner, the GSP/BJ Penn situation, and the origin of his nickname among other things. This is a candid interview from one of the world's most popular and exciting fighters.

It's been three long years since "The Crow" David Loiseau was fighting inside the UFC's Octagon. Eye-catching finishes over Gideon Ray, Charles McCarthy, and the late Evan Tanner propelled the French-Canadian fighter to a UFC Middleweight Title shot against UFC poster-boy Rich Franklin. A grueling five-round slugfest against Franklin ended Loiseau's winning streak and, for what some believe, his confidence as a fighter. Two more consecutive loses to Mike Swick and Joey Villasenor added to those beliefs. While most thought that the end of the road had been reached by David, an Art of War show in May of 2005 showed the reemergence of "The Crow."


"I love the sport and I'm enjoying the journey."

While it wasn't a big-named opponent that Loiseau had beaten, it was an end to a losing streak that had ended his dream-like run with the UFC and the defeat at the first EliteXC show. The arm-triangle finish over Freddie Espiricueta gave David back the confidence to stand and trade and be aggressive once again. David followed that fight with a very controversial Split Decision loss to UFC veteran Jason Day, a fight in which Day was quoted as saying, "David, you won the fight." With confidence returned Loiseau nailed down three more consecutive wins over quality opponents including a brilliant TKO finish over former Ultimate Fighter Solomon Hutcherson at XMMA 5 - It's Crow Time in September of 2008.

It's certainly appears that "The Crow" of old is back and is soaring higher than ever. Loiseau is always very complimentary of his excellent training camps and his close circle of friends that have always surrounded him and been extremely supportive, no matter the circumstances. With his friends and training partners support, David has found himself with on a three-fight winning streak, a new contract with the UFC, and a match up in his hometown of Montreal, Quebec, Canada against Ultimate Fighter 3 season runner-up Ed Herman.


"I want to become the best fighter in my division"

While recent news has mentioned that UFC 97 will not take place in Montreal, it's important to note that Dana White and company are trying their hardest to have this show take place there. This interview also took place before all the news came out. I personally hope that this event will happen just like it has been planned for so long.

UFC 97 is conveniently named "Redemption" and it will certainly be a night of redemption for Loiseau as he returns to the UFC and gets to fight in front of the same audience that he debuted for at UCC 1-The New Beginning back in June of 2000. 411's Todd Bergman recently had the opportunity to conduct a phone conversation with the UFC veteran David "The Crow" Loiseau.

Todd Bergman: How's your training going leading up to UFC 97?

David Loiseau:Training is going well my friend, I can't complain. Everything is going A-1, can't complain.

Bergman:What are your thoughts on fighting back into the UFC after being gone for a little while?

Loiseau: It's a tough sport man, so it's always tough because the fights are always tough. I'm enjoying it though, you know. I love the sport and I'm enjoying the journey.

Bergman: What are your thoughts on your upcoming fight at UFC 97 in Montreal, Canada? Are you excited to be fighting in Canada again?

Loiseau: Yeah, it's where I'm from, so it's great.

Bergman: This is going to be your second run in the UFC. In what ways have you matured as a fighter since your initial run with the company?

Loiseau: You know, I just matured as a fighter overall. I've grown a lot as a person as well. I understand the game a lot more than I did before. I just really matured as a fighter and an individual both.

Bergman: Is that something that comes with age or with your training camp and being around fighting on a daily basis?

Loiseau: Yeah, it's kinda both. Your surroundings and your training partners with fighting experience. Especially going through a rough part you know. It's was a tough part of my career getting kicked out of the UFC and working my way back. It was tough and going through that makes you way tougher and what [doesn't] kill you makes you stronger for real. I got my head straightened, you know.

Bergman: I recently had the opportunity to watch the re-airing of your fight with Evan Tanner. Brilliant performance on your part, but I wanted to get your thoughts on Evan Tanner as a fighter and as a man in general.

Loiseau: I respected Evan and looked up to him as a fighter and a person for his philosophy and the way that he carried himself inside and outside of the cage. I respected him a lot and still do. I know that he is being missed for sure.

Bergman: Going back to UFC 97, you commented on being back in Montreal, right now you're slated to face Ed Herman. He's another Team Qwest product. Does Herman remind you of anyone that you've fought previously? Perhaps the late Evan Tanner?

Loiseau: We have watched a lot of footage on Herman, but every fight is different. He might come out different, we don't really know. I definitely have a gameplan and it's a very strict strategy, you know, and you never really know what can happen in a fight. You really never know.

Bergman: I wanted to talk a little bit more about your training. At what stage do you think that you are currently in: the beginning, middle, or the end?

Loiseau: I train all the time. If it's not for me then it's for one of my training partners that's training for a fight. I was in New Mexico for Rashad Evans and Georges and his preparation for BJ. I was there for the whole camp and now it's my fight so I'm always training. So there's no real beginning or end. The end would obviously be the last month before the fight, but I'm always training.

Bergman: You mentioned helping Georges train for the Penn fight. What are your thoughts on Penn opening an investigation against GSP due to alleged greasing? You were there and would know better than anyone what happened.

Loiseau:(Laughs) I would rather not comment on that because you saw what happened. You saw what happened before the fight and heard what BJ said before the fight. Then you saw what happened in the fight. I think that he's just being a sore loser. (Laughs) I don't really know how to put it in words, but he did say what he said before the fight and then you know. He did quit, I really don't have much to say about the whole thing. The whole camp is ready to do a GSP vs. Penn III, let's do it again.

Bergman: How do you guys, as fighters, stick to the training regiment. I wanted to know, as far as you, what's harder? Is it to stay on the diet or is it getting to the gym everyday and working out?

Loiseau: I enjoy everything about the training and the fighting but probably the dieting. The weeks leading up the fight the diet is extremely strict. It's hard all the time, but I enjoy it because I've been training since I was a kid. I always train hard and I started Martial Arts when I was nine, so it's something that I've always kind of done.

Bergman: You said that you've been involved with Martial Arts training since you were nine. Is that something that's led you to be a top level fighter? Is starting training at a young age something that you would recommend to younger fighters that want to compete at a high level?

Loiseau: You could start at a young age, but there are people who started later that are at a high level as well. It's all about discipline and hard work. If you're dedicated, it doesn't matter at what age you start at. I think that Randy Couture had his first pro fight at 36, so you know he's a hard-worker, dedicated, and well-disciplined, and he made it.

Bergman: With many more fights to go, what would you consider your biggest moment so far?

Loiseau: I have many great moments. I don't really have one in particular. It probably will be when I win the UFC Middleweight Title.

Bergman: Does that mean that you are gunning for Anderson Silva?

Loiseau: Yeah, I want to become the best fighter in my division. Whoever I have to fight and whoever the champion just as long as he's not a friend of mine (laughs) or training partner, I will fight him.

Bergman: With the way that things are going all the champions are coming from the Jackson Camp. Where did the nickname "The Crow" come from?

Loiseau:(Laughs) When I played football in High School everyone on the team had a nickname. Loiseau means bird so I'm a black bird so they called me "The Crow."

Bergman: Anyone that you want to thank?

Loiseau: I would like to thank my sponsors, I have many of them. TapOut, Naked Eye Magainze, Cintron Energy Drink, MMA Fight Shop.ca, Silverstar, MMAAgents.com.

Bergman: I really appreciate the time that you have given us at 411mania.com

Loiseau: My pleasure man. No problem.

You can also check out "The Crow" on his website.