Adam Calver

Field engineer Adam Calver dons a uniform and cage trunks

The soldier from second field engineers took time off full time duty at Linton army camp and busy training schedule to catch up with ROGUE insider to give us an insight into what it’s like being a serviceman and fighter.  Keep an eye out for the man who bases all of his work outs around UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) fighter and champion, Canadian, Georges St Pierre.

Just like any budding fighter it’s his dream to turn pro and enter the Octagon someday, someday soon we hope.

Q. What made you join the army?
A. I Did an apprentice in glass and glazing after I finished that I got bored. The Army came up in a conversation with a family friend who was ex infantry. So I went to the recruiters to join. The next thing I know I’m on a Uni-mog heading up to Waiouru thinking what have I done? Ha Ha Ha

Q. Did you start doing MMA after you enlisted or before... give us a brief insight?
A. I started kickboxing with Ray Perry when I was 16 to help with fitness for rugby. As both my brothers were doing kickboxing and had seen what it had done to them (especially my little brother he was always ..... chunky till he started fighting.) Ended up quitting rugby and fighting When I got back from East Timor in Dec last year I went into stu's club The Fight Shop to find out when training was, he told me the dates but told me MAA was on tonight. So I jumped in on the class and now I love it!

Q. Do you train in any MMA in the army-- If so tell us more, if not, what sort of stuff do you do for hand to hand combat...?
A. We do a Basic C.Q.B (Close Quarter Battle) but it more involves finishing moves and everything ends up with breaking the other guy’s leg or him dead.

Q. Does the army encourage you with MMA as a sport?
A. Fighting sports as a whole aren’t really wide spread throughout the Army. Also being a new sport and being the first person to compete in MMA as far as I know there hasn’t been much exposure to it.

Q. What happens if you get hurt doing MMA, back to barracks or sick leave?
A. It is a sport and injury is the same whatever be it rugby, surfing, basketball.  The risk is that I get hurt to a point where I can't do my job in the Army and have to leave.  

Q. Do you think every recruit should do some form of MMA?
A. As far as its relevance to the job, there’s a few things that would be useful i guess, but the Army has its ways and people that decide these sorts of things.

Q. Ever got into any rumbles on the street?
A. Ha.ha.ha It is easy to get into a fight in town and I could probably win but what's the point, beating some idiot doesn't prove anything.  I fight for the enjoyment of the sport and matching my skill against a trained opponent.  If I had fought in town it’s because I had to defend myself or the people I was with. I’d only go far enough to stop the idiot.

Q. In training your instructors would have been tough...ever thought about 'putting them to sleep'?
A. Basic training was a different kind of tough. You were on the go 7 days a week with the instructors on my back, so it was probably more important for me to get some sleep instead of them!

Q. What’s it like being a full time soldier and training... do you get much time for that?
A. Being in the Army and training is great, my unit and senior staff are supportive of my training and the physical nature of the job helps with my fitness and strength.

Q. Is the army supportive of your sport/training?
A. At this stage it’s my unit where the support is coming from. I think that only has to do with the fact that it’s a new and up an coming sport in this country.
But hopefully they’ll get behind it like they do with pretty much every other sport.

Q. Any final words and is joining the army a good option for anyone who has aspirations of MMA?
A. I think as far as joining the army goes it’s a good step no matter what sport you do. Where else do you get paid to stay fit! I think it can also give you a mental and physical edge. I’d just to thank my O.C & 2Fd Squadron RNZE for giving me the time to train for this awesome sport. Stu and Tash at the Fight Shop for pretty much letting me live at their gym! And Natasha for her support and understanding in the fact I spend more time at the gym than home.