Jump to content

An Interview with Prospect Arlo Rochester


popart

Recommended Posts

http://www.mmatycoon.com/gallery/0/15408555304305.jpg

 

By Chad Stevens, MMA-LA

An Interview with prospect Arlo "Flower Power" Rochester
0 -0
18 Years Old
Height: 6 2
Fights at 170
Hometown: Wichita, KS
Fighting Out of: Los Angeles
Signed to: RISE

Q. So Arlo, how did you get into fighting?
A: I took Karate when I was younger, against my parents wishes. My parents are complete hippies, and never wanted me to get into fighting. I stopped Karate, but MMA was something I was still incredibly interested in. While in college, I decided I'd take up Jiu Jitsu. That was a couple summers ago. Everything falls into place, and I ended up competing in my first professional fight a week ago.

Q. Did you inherit any of that Hippie BS from your parents?
A. For sure. Im really into yoga, and so I train it often. Im also really into meditation. Im vegetarian, which really helps make 170. I bet i could make 155 with some training. Ive delved into other hippie traditions as well. Lets just say that I had a nickname I liked better, but it was already taken by Nick Diaz during his Strikeforce days.

Q. A lot of people have compared you to the Diaz brothers.
A. Theyre definitely my idols, I watched them all the time growing up. I think I have a similar build, and my cardio is one of my strengths. I dont have knock out power, but just like the diaz bros, I focus on volume instead of power.

Q. So youre from Kansas. How was the move to LA?
Its not at all what I imagined. I wasnt expecting this many people. It takes so much longer to get everywhere. It has been an adjustment. That being said, I think the move out to LA was a great career move. Im currently training at 11th Planet Jiu Jitsu. Ive been spending a lot of time with 4x Kansas state wrestling Champ Jared Morgan. I recently signed with RISE, a company that im really Excited to be a part of.

Q. What do you hope to get out of your fighting career?
A. I think something that Im always chasing is respect. I want people to respect my abilities, and respect my presence as an athlete. Im not the biggest guy in the cage, but I know I have the most heart.

  • Upvote 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...

(Excerpt from upcoming article about "The Hippie Palace" :

A young, skinny fighter with hipster glasses was now talking to the kid at the front desk.

As I got closer, I could hear their conversation.

Like my new Gi man? Its made out of hemp fabric. the fighter said.

I introduced myself, and the fighter introduced himself as Arlo Rochester. I remembered reading an article about him in MMA-LA when he first started MMA. He seemed noticeably more skittish and paranoid than he did in his first article.

So how have things been since the interview you did? I asked.

Great, man. Ive been out here living my best life. Signed to the best org in Japan, Budokai, and have just been trying to find my inner chi. This place helps me keep all of my chakras aligned, ya dig?

I think so. I heard you were thinking about starting a podcast?

Yeah, man. Its going to be called The Flower Power Hour, and im just going to talk about like, whatever I want man. Vegetarianism, Yoga, and my obsession with Japanese MMA.

Speaking of, how has Budokai treated you?

Its been awesome. Rei is the man, man. I love it. I hope to finish out my career there. Hopefully I still have a long career ahead of me.

Thanks for answering my questions, Ill let you get back to your conversation.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

LA’s Hottest Prospects: Where are they now?

By Chad Stevens, reporter at MMA-LA

 

It wasn’t long ago that Arlo “Flower Power” Rochester was considered a top prospect in Small Los Angeles circuits. Coming from Wichita, Kansas, the fighter had traveled a long ways to get serious about a career in MMA. However, his career started out rocky. After losing his first two fights, he finally picked up his first win against a member of his same gym, Majodo Winger. After this, he signed with Phoqus Sports Enterprise, going 1-1 in the organization. After the organization went under, he moved to Japan to compete in Budokai, where he had a decent record of 3-1. However, in his last 3 fights, he received horrendous cuts, all within the first minute. This led to his first TKO loss, to Jason Stackhouse, when the fight was called after the ring began to look like something out of The Shining.

 

562198-warner_bros.jpg

 

This was Budokai’s penultimate event. After this, Rochester quickly signed with XTREME. However, the org went under before he fought in the promotion.

 

So where is Arlo Rochester now?

 

Generally, these articles are pretty standard interviews. However, Rochester was unavailable for an in person interview- I was able to get ahold of him via a video chat.

 

 

“Hi Arlo, good to hear from you. Where are you at?”

 

“I’m actually in India right now, in a small village.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“I came here to master the art of yoga.”

 

“Wow, what hippie bullshit. Anyways, what about your fight career?”

 

“Ah, im not sure where that’s going. I’ve fought all around the world, in several different orgs, i’m pretty happy with how my career has gone so far. But I would love to come back. I want to have a fight against someone absurd, or respectable, or whatever. Lets just make it interesting. I have no interest in fighting some generic fighter. Let's give the fans a fight. If nothing cool comes up, I’ll sit out until it does.”

 

“Are you in talks with any orgs?”

 

“Not yet. I might take some time to train my muay thai first.”

 

“What about your boxing background, have you thought about boxing?”

 

“I’ve thought about Kickboxing, or maybe even grappling. I just want to go where the vibes take me, man.”

  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 weeks later...

BREAKING: After months of unemployment and surviving off of making hemp bracelets for tourists, Rochester has decided to fight once again- he was persuaded to come back to the game by Tokyo Rebels, the spiritual successor of Budokai. Rumoured to have the same amount of Yakuza influence as the previous org, Rochester was asked about his return to Japan, and buzzed this out to his many followers:

 

It’s official! Headed back to Japan to fight in Tokyo Rebels! I’ve always felt more of a connection with the Japanese fans. American fans seem to get muddled down by things like “Wins” and “Not getting a cut in every damn fight.” Konnichiwa Japan!

 

His first opponent in the org will be Japanese MMA legend Kaito Inuzuka, who is reportedly taking the fight so seriously that he has considered chain smoking a little less.

 

http://www.mmatycoon.com/images/company/logo/1572980466TOKYO%20REBELS%20LOGO.jpg

  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

By Chad Stevens, reporter at MMA-LA


The first fighter I covered here in my time here at MMA-LA, was the promising Arlo Rochester. After a career with major ups and downs, Rochester recently decided to hang up the gloves for good. Rochester developed a massive fan following in Japan, after fighting in both Budokai and Tokyo Rebels. After losing to Japanese MMA legend Kaito Inuzuka, Rochester trained for a comeback fight but ultimately decided to retire. In his retirement press conference, Rochester simply took the stage, and said “Good Vibes Only” before flashing a peace sign and walking off stage. Rochester has officially accepted a position as a coach at his old gym, Yellow Lotus. In the past, he has hinted at becoming a podcaster, starting a clothing brand or nutrition company, or even getting involved in running an org. Only time will tell what his future plans may include. Thanks for the memories, Arlo!


Stats:

Orgs fought for: PhoQus, Budokai, Tokyo Rebels

Highest Rank: 1127

Total Opponents record: 72-62-1

Total Fights: 10

Total Injuries: (5 Days)

Cities fought in: Los Angeles, Hilo, Tokyo, London

Highest Fight Rating: 82%, QFC fight vs Majodo Winger

Real MMA Fighter Comparison: Mat Horwich

Joints rolled: countless

Peace: and Love

http://www.mmatycoon.com/gallery/0/15408555304305.jpg

  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

By Chad Stevens, MMA-LA


In January, Budokai veteran Arlo Rochester hung up his gloves after having a retirement fight in the Japanese MMA org Tokyo Rebels. Following this fight, Rochester accepted a position at his old gym Yellow Lotus, as long as partaking in a number of overdone career options for retired fighters, including being a spokesperson for a failed startup org, and becoming a podcaster.


hqdefault.jpg

Rochester on his podcast, “The Flower Power Hour”


Rochester found himself missing the thrill of combat, and no amount of hacky sack playing or bracelet making could replace the hole in his heart of fighting. Following months of inactive, Arlo Rochester decided to come out of retirement and immediately resume activity within the Martial Arts world.


However, Rochester won’t be in the cage- at least, not yet. As he eases back into full time Martial Arts training, Rochester will be grappling at the one and only Catch Wrestling Championship. Rochester joins the largest grappling org in the world, and hopes it may one day lead to an appearance in the TWGC.

http://mmatycoon.com/images/company/logo/15867178341568156053download.jpg

 

During a brief segment on the MMA-LA show, Rochester stated the following:


“It feels amazing to be back into the fight world. No amount of hacky sack playing or bracelet making could fill the void in my heart I felt from stepping away from fighting. Shout out to CWC for making it possible. Good Vibes Only!”


  • Upvote 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

By Berend De Jong, Reporter at Dutch Combat Magazine

 

Following a rather unsuccessful stint grappling at Catch Wrestling Championship, Arlo Rochester has signed with Panda Fights, the 2nd biggest MMA organization in all of Japan. Rochester has become a fan favorite in Japan, a journeyman who has traveled the world cracking heads and throwing haymakers. His last fight took place at age 23. Now at 28, Rochester returns to Japan for some “unfinished business.” During a short online interview for Dutch Combat Magazine, Rochester said,

 

“Travelling all over the world, smoking the best weed nature has to offer and getting paid to do it? There’s nothing groovier brotha.”

 

While it is rumoured that Rochester has returned to MMA because his start up CBD company failed, his manager has stated that he expects him to fight anywhere between 5 and 10 times this year.

 

 

 

 

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

 By Berend De Jong, Reporter at Dutch Combat Magazine

15408555304305.jpg

Arlo Rochester returned to the octagon following a five year hiatus from the sport. Making his return at Panda Fights 82, Rochester won via Kimura in the first round. Despite looking forward to climbing the ranks at Panda Fights, immediately following the event, the org was sold. Rochester presumes that the sale was due to his stardom propelling the org into the upper eschalon of MMA. 

 

"I'm forever grateful for the support I get in Japan- it's truly my home away from home." Rochester said.

 

Following the sale of the org, Rochester's future is once again undecided. However, Rochester stated that he would prefer to fight in Japan or America. 

 

"I love Japan, but i'll fight anywhere- Anywhere the sativa is good and the drug testing is unreliable!"

  • Upvote 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

320.jpg

 

Following a period away from the cage, Arlo Rochester is set to return Sept. 25th against Furnum Pullum at Odense MMA. After last fighting at Madness MMA, Rochester signed a 5 fight deal with the Denmark based organization, marking the first time the fighter has ventured away from the Japanese market since making his Budokai debut.

 

The lightweight champion of Odense, Ernest Graves, is also from Wichita, Kansas- Rochester had this to say about the current champion:

 

"I don't think i've ever heard of two fighters from the same town fighting for a title before, much less from such a small city. I plan on stringing together some victories and making a run for that belt."

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

15408555304305.jpg

 

Arlo Rochester has been the definition of a journeyman. Thus far as an 11-9 fighter who has never had more than a 3 fight win streak, yet never more than a 2 fight losing streak, Rochester has bounced around from org to org, mostly in Japan. Now a competitor at Odense in Amsterdam, Rochester has received the first title shot of his career, as he is set to face Max Holloway for the Lightweight Championship. Despite the lofty expectations of his manager, Arlo seems remarkably calm about the upcoming fight, buzzing; 

“Didn't think i'd ever get a title fight! Just going to enjoy the week leading up to it. Win or lose, just getting this opportunity shows how far my career has come.”

Later on his podcast The Flower Power Hour, Rochester again addressed the title fight, saying;

“I’m stoked about it, but it’s also not really any different than a normal fight man. Like, I don’t need something shiny to validate my career you know? Actually I’d kinda prefer it if it wasn’t so shiny. Maybe I’ll spray paint it a nice forest green color.”

E99-y0pVEA0dA0K.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

By Chad Stevens, MMA-LA

 

nick-diaz-ufc-mma-february-2022.png

So much has changed for Arlo Rochester since his career began. Once a wide eyed, 18 year old prospect who moved from his parents farm to Los Angeles to pursue his MMA career. Now a 22 fight veteran, the 33 year old Rochester recently moved back to the United States to purchase Yellow Lotus Center of Healing and Meditative Arts, the gym in which he originally trained at. 
    With Rochester in charge, here to stay is the relaxed approach to training, with an emphasis on quality and quantity- Now that the gym has over 20 members, there is seldom a moment from sun up to sun down in which someone is not rolling on the mat. 
    Yet, Rochester still finds enjoyment in the sport. On his podcast The Flower Power Hour, Rochester stated;

“Look, i’ve found my sense of peace- I went pro in the sport that I love. The first time I got paid to fight- it was about 100 bucks, I think- I sort of came to the conclusion, ‘look, i’ve made it- it doesn’t matter how this career goes, because I can call myself a pro MMA fighter.”

Rochester recently won the first belt of his career, in the new organization Slavic Fight League. Originally located in St. Petersburg, the organization moved it’s headquarters to Los Angeles to deal with fighter’s visas easier after the war started. Rochester stated that he was excited about winning the belt, but that it hasn’t affected his attitude towards fighting: 

“I’ve been very fortunate with the career i’ve had. Every fighter isn’t going to make it to the top of the MMA world, and that’s okay. I’ve exceeded my own expectations.” 

When talking about his future plans, Rochester said a line that his fans will be utmost familiar with;

 “I’ll defend the belt at Slavic for as long as I have it- after that, who knows? i'll fight anywhere- Anywhere the weed is good and the drug testing is unreliable!”
 

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Breaking News

By Chad Stevens, MMA-LA

 

After years of fighting in the lower tiers of MMA, Arlo Rochester has signed a deal with GAMMA.

 

1516113717gamma_logo_6.gif

The 34 year old Jiu Jitsu specialist is far removed from his humble beginnings as a part timer in the public ‘11th Planet BJJ’, having bought his own gym last year. 

 

Described as a late bloomer by many analysts, Rochester caught fire as of late in both Odense and Slavic Fight League, the latter of which he won his first championship at 170.

 

On his podcast ‘The Flower Power Hour,’ Rochester had this to say: 

 

“It’ll be a difficult task, many of the guys in GAMMA have had lifelong training and practice at the top tier of MMA, and that just isn’t the case for me. There was a time when I retired for a year, because at 7-7 my career just wasn’t going anywhere. Now i’m at the top tier of MMA. It’s been a turbulent journey, but I’m proud of it. “

  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Following his decision loss at GAMMA 958, Arlo Rochester laid down his gloves in the middle of the octagon. A tearful Rochester explained during his post fight interview, "The sport has passed me by, and that's okay. When I started I was just a scrappy kid with a mean right hook, and ambitions to travel the world. I'm not the best athlete in the world and I know it, but it was never about being the best. It was about the journey."

 

Rochester plans on continuing as owner and instructor at Yellow Lotus, while spending more of his free time with his family. Like every athlete, a pro sports career is a fleeting and grueling profession. The years of training, dieting and sacrifices build into mountainous peak, just to wash away like sand. Behind every recently retired athlete is a person unsure of their next chapter, a passing into a new life. life goes on past sports, but there isn't a moment in which the current person isn't shaped by the past. Professions will change, habits will break, but the memories remain.

Somewhere, Arlo Rochester is walking along a beach, the sand washing away in front of him. If he closes his eyes, he can still hear the sound of fans cheering his name. 

 

 

Arlo Rochester - Hiddens Report.

Intelligence: 55/150.
Heart: 141/150.
Chin: 39/150.
Injury Proneness: 17/150.
Self Confidence: 16/150.
Cuts: 2/150.
Fast Learner: 95/150.
Natural KO: 137/150.
Average: 62.8/150. Rank: 197,019 out of 220,018 (top 90%)


Experience: 147/150.
Potential: 116/123. (Min 96).
Age Drop Off: 35 years.


Days of Cuts: 39 (Rank: 6,270)
Days of Injuries: 15 (Rank: 70,935)

 

Stats:

Orgs fought for: PhoQus, Budokai, Tokyo Rebels, Panda, Madness, Odense, Slavic Fight League, GAMMA

Highest Rank: 369

Total Opponents record: 582-490-20

Total Fights: 27

Cities fought in: Los Angeles, Hilo, Tokyo, London, Montreal, Sydney, Amsterdam, St. Petersburg

Highest Fight Rating: 100%, SFL Title fight vs Terrance Graves

Peace: And Love

 

15408555304305.jpg

  • Like 1
  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...