Brad Imes is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He currently fights as a heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Brad, can you tell us a little about yourself?
I was born and raised in MO. I grew up in Maryville, then went to high school and college in Columbia. I played football at Mizzou and then in the Arena League with the Iowa Barnstormers. I was a strength coach at Mizzou and TCU. I got into fighting in 2004 cause I was out of work and needed to make some money. I like hunting, shooting or blowing stuff up, and punching people in the face.

What are your career highlights?
Making it into the UFC after training in martial arts for less than a year.

How often do you train a week? 5 or 6 days/week, 2 or 3 times/day

What is a typical training day for you?  In the morning: lift, cardio, agilities, mitts, yoga; afternoon: swim; evening: spar or grapple

If you could change one thing about the UFC, what would that be?
I'd make it the BFC (Brad Fighting Championships)

What is your height and weight?
6'7" 270lbs

What does a guy like yourself eat in a typical day?
Breakfast: protein powder, egg beaters, oatmeal, banana, pomegranate juice, almonds (shaken not stirred); breakfast2: egg beaters, steak, fruit; lunch: lean beef patties or roast beef, broccoli, apple; snack: meal replacement bar or shake; dinner: steak or fish, broccoli, sweet potato; snack: tuna

What does the next year have in store for you? Got any plans?
Winning and makin' movies, biatch!

Where did you come up with your nickname, Hillbilly Hearthrob?
People in CA think people from MO (if they know it's a state or where it is) live in caves and sleep with their sisters, so it's kinda a joke on them. Plus Jack Daniels helped me with the nickname.

What surgeries have you had?
Elbow, 2 nasal, foot

How much recovery time is needed after a UFC fight?
Apparently, I need a year. But, generally about 3 months between fights is ideal.

Where have you fought before?
Lemoore, CA (WEC); Spirit Lake, IA (XFC); Orlando, FL (CFC)

Who was your toughest opponent and why?
Rashad or Dan - they both beat me, but both were great fights.

What was your favorite fight and why?
Mike Dexter (WEC 3/2005): I always wanted to be in a horror movie, and after that fight I looked like "Carrie."

What do you think of our website, ninjapimp.com?
It's the greatest website I've ever been to.

Is there anything that you would like to say to our 15,000 to 20,000 readers a month?
Thanks for supporting the sport, without you I'd be doing a 10 year stretch for assault and battery. Check me out April 7 and support my sponsors Warrior Wear and MG Sports Supplements. Also, check out my movie at the end of this year "Missionary Man" (NO, not adult) starring Dolph Lungren, coming out at the end of this year or early 2008.

Thanks for your time and good luck in the future!