Interview: Nate "The Rock" Quarry

There are not too many guys who can undergo a major back surgery and be back to training in a mere six months. You can count Nate "The Rock" Quarry as one of the exceptions. After sitting out 2006, the Team Quest product is looking forward to a new year and fighting his way back up to the top.

I had a chance to conduct a Q&A with Nate, discussing how he began in MMA, his training partners, and even some random political questions.

RS: You recently underwent a rather large surgery on your back. How did the surgery go, and how is the recovery process?
Quarry: I had what is known as an XLIF, basically a spinal fusion on two vertabrae using a very advanced technique. The surgery went great and I'm back to training at full speed six months after.

RS: You started training at 24, and had your first professional fight at 29. What got you involved in MMA at this stage in your life?
Quarry: The American dream! Getting drunk at a party, seeing the UFC on TV and wanting to beat the crap out of my drinking buddies. True story!

RS: You train with Team Quest, one of the more respected and well-rounded teams in MMA. Who specifically do you train with on any given day?
Quarry: We've got a very deep room for training partners. Some regulars are Matt Lindland, Eddie Herman, Chris Leban, Ryan Schultz, Chris Wilson, basically the whole Wolf Pack team, then quite a few up and comers such as Mike Dolce, John Khron and on and on. Plus you never know who may show up for a week or two.

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