Q: Hey Malick, thanks for taking the time to do this. Can you please tell us about your training background, martial arts disciplines that you have trained in and how long you’ve been at Masterskya.

Malick: When I was in the 6 grade I used to get bullied at school so I asked my father to put me into boxing. He refused and put me into TaeKwonDo. I quit in 2 months because I felt I was not learning anything to defend myself. Later in life, I was able to afford to go to a boxing gym and went to church street for a couple months, then wanted to expand and decided to go to Coban Muay Thai. There on my first day, I saw Alex Ecklin giving a class on the side. In my head I thought I was able to wrestle since I use to play wrestle with my cousins. However, I got tapped back to back. I did not understand jiu-jitsu, it felt like it would be impossible to understand it; like the game, temple run or subway surfer. No matter how much you run you just know you’re going to eventually crash. But the fun part is that you can just keep restarting. And that’s what I have been doing for the last three years. Everyday restarting my bjj journey.

Q: How has training influenced you in your life?

Malick: Its has made me humble, and a bit more confident. Three years ago, I could barely have a conversation with strangers. I was always afraid. But Van and Alex did not want to hear that nonsense. They put me on the spot to engage with people.

 Q: What do you think you would be doing had you never started training?

Malick: I live in a tough neighborhood so prior to bjj, due to my fear, I wanted to engage with a couple of street guys. I thought they would be able to protect me when I get into situations. Unfortunately, as I approached these guys my life got more complicated then it was before, so I had to disengage with them. All I can conclude is that I would have probably not be in the best of places had I didn’t escape, and go train.

Q: Any funny stories or moments during training or competing?

Malick: When I first met Alex, and had no clue what bjj was, in my head I could not take Alex seriously. I mean the guy was 5’8 I think and looked 145 pounds, with a long ponytail. In my head I was confident I could beat Alex. Long story short are first roll he choked me in 3 second with a flying guillotine.

(Interview break — “Really though????!!!??”)

My first tournament was around the time Connor McGregor was on the rise and he did that swag walk in the ring. I asked Alex if he thinks it would be a good idea if I mimicked him for my first tournament. Alex suggested that I save it for a future tournament and to just focus on this fight. I walked on the mat normally then a crazy pressure hit me, and I froze. I forgot every move I drilled the week prior and all I heard was Alex scream pull guard. I pulled guard, got into single leg x, and completely forgot what to do from there. Fast forward I get chocked out and lost in a min and a half. And I looked into the crowd as the were raising his hands and thought to myself, what kind of dumbass I would’ve have looked if I had done the walk…

Q: Favorite food/guilty pleasure?

Malick: I eat/drink everything except raw food, pork, and alcohol. Van and I share a gene where we can eat everything and still perform. I love burgers with fries. Meat (well done though). Steak is good. Vanilla ice cream. Ginger ale and sprite.