Jay White | News

Check out Jay White training with the champ, Randy Couture in this video clip from RawVegas.tv.

Throwdown spent some time yesterday with new Throwdown Soldier, Jay White, a fighter and BJJ coach out of Xtreme Couture. Jay was recently cast in an upcoming Nike commercial with Rampage Jackson and because of his size & great jiu-jitsu game was invited by Juanito Ibarra to be a training partner for Cheick Kongo. Spend some time out of your day & get to know Jay White.

Throwdown: Jay we would like to thank you for taking the time out of your training & teaching to talk to Throwdown today

Jay: No problem

Throwdown: Where are you from originally & how did you end up in Las Vegas from Oregon? Better question, why’d you decide to stay?

Jay: I’m originally from Upstate NY, Troy actually. Well I ended up in Oregon first. I moved out there about 3.5 years ago to train with Team Quest. That’s how I met Randy. I had decided to move back to NY, right as I did about after a month there Randy asked if I’d like to come to Vegas to help him get ready for Gonzaga. (note- Jay, like Gonzaga is a multi time ADCC vet). I was happy to come out here and help as training and sparring partner to mimic Gonzaga for Randy. After training here there’s no place else I would like to train. The place is great and great top level guys to train with plus more top level fighters come in and out to train all the time. Plus it’s just an awesome training atmosphere.

Throwdown: Tell us about your training background. How did you get into MMA?

Jay: I started in Kyokushin kai Karate as a kid that progressed to some boxing. Then eventually I found myself studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Upstate NY with a Renzo Gracie affiliate school run by UFC 12 veteran Nick Sanzo. We would make regular trips to NYC to train with Renzo usually 2x a month. I started going down more often eventually ending up going down to NYC which was a 3 hour drive there and back about 3x a week. I’m a purple under Renzo well that was the last belt I received before I left to go to Quest. I actually got my purple after just training for only 10 months with Renzo.

Throwdown: What weight do you usually walk around at?

Jay: About 275-280lbs

Throwdown: You were a competitive bodybuilder at one point in your life? How long did you train? Did you compete in any shows?

Jay: I always lifted weights one way or another whether fighting or not. I took a break from fighting about 10 months actually and in that time frame I trained for a bodybuilding competition. I trained for about 10 months or so and I did one competition.

Throwdown: Can you walk us through a day of training with Xtreme Couture?

Jay: Well depending on the day and what’s coming up I usually get there about 9:30 am and if it’s conditioning day then I’m with Jake Bonacci our strength and conditioning being put through a hellish weight and conditioning program. If it’s not a conditioning day then I will do pads with Shawn Tompkins and work on my standup with him. After that I usually teach Jiu Jitsu and then it’s off to the house to eat and recuperate for pro practice at 4pm.

Throwdown: Do you follow any special diet? Anything particular, what kind of things do you normally eat?

Jay: Lately I have been following a strict diet to try and get a handle on my weight. I don’t want to get too far out of shape. I usually eat egg whites, spinach, oatmeal, grilled chicken breast, yams, ground turkey things of that nature.

Throwdown: You started your pro MMA career with back to back fights vs. Jeff Monson? I’m all for challenging yourself but do you think at that point of your career that you were ready for a veteran like Jeff?

Jay: I fought Jeff the first time on very short notice and I was very confident I would win that fight I didn’t think his striking was as good as mine and I didn’t feel his ground game to be better then. I felt he had the advantage in wrestling and top position. Turned out I took him down twice and felt I was winning the fight till I tore my LCL. The second fight I f**d up and he won fair and square. But I felt very confident going into both fights.

Throwdown: You said in a recent interview after your last HDNET Fight (1st rd arm bar win over Patrick Castillo) that “you don’t really like people”? Is this true or just a “front” because I think you’re a pretty nice guy.

Jay: I guess when you get to know me I am a “nice guy”. But that’s the point, I don’t let many people get to know me. Or do I want many people to get to know… “I better stop doing this interview”…lol

Throwdown: I have to ask, what does the “5150’ tattoo on your midsection mean? Are you just a big Van Halen fan or what?

Jay: Smart ass…It’s the penal code for a danger to ones self and others…lol

Throwdown: You were recently a training partner for Cheick Kongo. Describe that experience. Were you able to teach him anything & vice versa?

Jay: It was a great experience. Cheick is a real nice guy I hated to see him lose but on the other hand he did some tons of improvement in his game especially his takedown and ground game. I hope I was able to teach him stuff. He seemed to pick up the ground techniques I was showing him pretty good.

Throwdown: You’re also a devoted father. When you’re not training you play “Mr. Mom” correct? What do you and your kids like to do on your days off?

Jay: Yea I’m home with the kids most of the day because my wife works at Xtreme Couture during the day. After the morning training session and they get out of school. We go home have some lunch. Now that it’s getting warmer out we’ll go outside and play. Me and my son Kaiden play catch a lot he’s a huge baseball fan and Bella usually plays with the skate scooter or other toys.
Throwdown: Let’s play a little game called “Firsts”. I say “First____” and you answer, ok?

First Job: Getting shopping carts at a grocery store.
First Sport Played: Football
First Car: Chrysler Le Baron Coupe
First Concert: Def Leppard
First Tattoo: Tribal band around my right arm
First Martial Art You Trained In: Karate
First Time You Decide that MMA was Your Career: When I came to Vegas

Throwdown: I noticed that you don’t have a nickname? Or do you?

Jay: Nope.. Not yet anyway

Throwdown: Any fights lined up for you? If you had a choice, who would you like to fight next?

Jay: No fights lined up as of right now. Working on some things. I’d love to fight Kimbo.

Throwdown: Kimbo Slice? Didn’t he train at Xtreme Couture recently? Were you able to train with him? How did that go?

Jay: Yes I did train with him. How did it go? See my answer to the last question. Like I said, I would love to fight Kimbo.

Throwdown: Kimbo Slice vs Jay White “Bread”: Battle for the Bread!

Jay: lol

Throwdown: Anything else do you want to say to your fans out there?

Jay: Thanks for supporting my anti-social ass. Check out www.myspace.com/fokaisoldier and www.jaywhite.net

Throwdown: Once again, thank you so much for your time and good luck from everyone here at Throwdown Industries

Jay: Thank you

Check out Jay’s last fight at HDNET Fights:

Jay trying to choke out his boss (Randy):

Hitting pads with Tompkins:

Training with Kongo:

Xtreme Couture’s Jay White went Hollywood last weekend. Jay will be appearing alongside Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in an upcoming Nike commercial. The details of the commercial titled “Human Chain” are unknown to us at this time. But we’re told it will feature MMA training and/or fighting.

So look for Jay as you’re channel surfing, and expect to see him back in the cage this Spring. For more on the commercial shoot and to see what Rampage is driving check out Throwdown.com.

(Jay getting accustomed to the good life.)

I traveled to Valencia CA to visit the set of the NIKE commercial filmed on Sunday March 9th featuring THROWDOWN Army members Rampage Jackson & Jay White. The commercial is entitled “Human Chain” and I cannot disclose any details about the commercial other than that along with Rampage and Jay, the commercial will also feature the following superstar athletes: Maria Sharapova, LeBron James, Ronaldino and LaDainian Tomlinson. This is NIKE’s second commercial featuring MMA athletes (first was with Randy Couture) and based on the set that they built and the production involved for the MMA segment, they went all out for it.

Jay and I arrived to the set at the scheduled call time that Jay was given by the producers and with daylight savings time, this was early. Since this was Jay’s first time in a commercial of this magnitude we didn’t want to be late. I called Rampage and asked what time he was scheduled to arrive and he was at the car wash having his Audi R8 detailed in Orange County over an hour away from the shoot. “Man I can’t be pullin’ up to my first NIKE commercial with a dirty car”. Whoever his detailer is they did a phenomenal job, check out the shine on the R8!

Since Jay and I had time to kill, we walked around to try and locate the production manager. While we were waiting for him to arrive, Herb Dean, celebrity MMA referee, walked up to us and said (obviously referring to Jay), “you guys look like fighters, I think you’re with me”. Herb was cast as the MMA referee in the commercial segment and it was Jay’s and my first time meeting him and he is one very cool guy. He also told us this was his commercial debut as well.

The production manager arrived shortly thereafter and led Jay and Herb to their trailers (actually more like closets), but at least we didn’t have to sit outside with the extras. We were all we laughing because the trailers had “Herb D” and “Jay W” written on the doors.

The trailers featured a plush plaid bench seat and well, that was about it. After sitting in there for a few minutes and realizing that it was more comfortable outside than inside, we headed to the catering van to eat. No pizza & cold cut sandwiches served here! We had choices of Korean BBQ, seared ahi tuna, teriyaki chicken, pot stickers, coconut curry rice, salads & deserts. Good stuff! After eating, the production manager showed us Rampage’s “trailer” which was a luxury condo on wheels. White leather couches & chairs, flat screen TVs, refrigerator & freezer, espresso machine and air conditioning!

Since Rampage wasn’t scheduled to arrive for another hour, Jay and I decided to hang out in his trailer and prepare it for his arrival so I loaded up the fridge with Throwdown Rampage Punch Energy Drinks while Jay kept the couch warm.

When Rampage arrived, I showed him the new April 2008 issue of Maxim that he was in that arrived in my mailbox the day before. After checking it out, he, Jay and Herb headed to wardrobe to pick up their outfits.

After changing it was off to the set to film! This is where my detailed reporting and photos stop since I have been sworn to secrecy by the production manager & director. All I can tell you is that Rampage, Jay & Herb filmed, & filmed, & filmed & filmed…for hours and Juanito Ibarra was onsite as the expert MMA action consultant. Luckily I brought enough Throwdown Energy Drinks for the crew and actors because it was a long day!

After completing the filming, Juanito, Rampage, Jay and Herb were winding down in the trailer and Juanito asked them, “Can you believe you guys just did a NIKE commercial?”. It was a surreal to all of them but this commercial is a sign that the sport of MMA is arriving! Rampage & Jay starring in the same commercial as LeBron, Sharapova, L.T. & Ronaldinho is a huge step for the sport and its athletes!

The commercial airs in May 08 so look out for it!

Signing off…

-Throwdown Intelligence Officer

 

Mainline Nation is excited to welcome MMA fighter and XtremeCouture trainer, Jay White to the family. Jay is a Mixed Martial Arts fighter specializing in  Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Jay trains and fights out of XtremeCouture in Las Vegas, but originally hails from New York’s Capital District. 2008 is going to be a big year for Jay, and we’re pumped to be supporting him. To see more pictures and videos of Jay, check him out on his official myspace page.

NIKE must have noticed the special chemistry between THROWDOWN athletes Rampage Jackson and Jay White from a recent photoshoot because they have both have been cast in an upcoming NIKE commercial. An ADCC & MMA vet, Jay has recently joined the Throwdown team and is a coach and MMA fighter out of Xtreme Couture. Randy Couture personally invited Jay to move to Las Vegas to help him train for his UFC 74 fight vs Gabriel Gonzaga.

Rampage & Jay will join basketball superstar LeBron James and other star athletes this weekend in Los Angeles to film a Nike commercial dubbed “Human Chain” . The spot, featuring a premise of “overachieving with victory, getting knocked down and getting back up,” said Juanito Ibarra, will be the second Nike ad to feature MMA athletes.

As you can tell by the Throwdown photoshoot with Rampage & Jay (bottom & right), the self dubbed “ebony & ivory” duo will continue their special chemistry behind the camera for the Nike commercial.

Both Rampage & Jay will be wearing the new Throwdown Rampage signature fight shorts for the commercial.