(photo courtesy of thefightgame.tv)

Hawaii Fight Network: Where are originally from?

Troy Mandaloniz: Hilo, born and raised.

HI-FN: How did you get the nickname "Rude Boy"?

TM: The guys I train with seen me do some silly things and be a little bit rude. They also noticed I knew all the words to some weird reggae songs, so my training partners here in the mainland started calling me "Rude Boy" and it stuck. Plus, I liked it.

HI-FN: A lot of people know you as the animated referee in ROTR. You're catch line is "Let's get nahts!" Anyone inspired you with that line?

TM: I definitely came up with that one. I was talking with JD Penn before the first Rumble show that I did and was trying to figure out something to say. Plenty locals say stuff like "Eh what? You like get nahts brah?" I figure it would be good for the production.

HI-FN: It fits in perfectly for the setting. What is one of the craziest things you've seen happen as a ref?

TM: Scott Junk driving his elbow through this japanese guy's face and you could see it cave in, and the call I had to make with Anderson Silva would probably be equal. It was just a crazy thing where he just kicked his leg up from the bottom like some kind of creature. He gave him this unbelievable upkick to the face that was an illegal technique. I had to DQ him and the crowd didn't like it too much but dayum!!! I kind of wish I didn't have to because that was one amazing technique.

HI-FN: You're not just the premeire Hawaii referee, but also a fighter yourself. Tell us about your career.

TM: I have 2 pro fights and 4 amateur fights. I fought the amateur fights in Hawaii back in '99. When I first moved out to Vegas, I was at this one academy that I don't want to mention. They didn't give much opportunity to fight unless you already had a big background (in MMA). So that was hard for me to get any fights at the time. Finally I transitioned over to Cobra Kai. That's when the solid fight training started. I should be fighting again in August. I will most likely be fighting in San Diego at Total Combat. The opponent is still in the air. I've been doing fight training with a lot of people since 97. A lot of fights that BJ Penn was getting ready for, I was there to help him train. Coming out to Vegas, I helped a bunch of guys train like Tony DeSouza. I've done a lot of seminars. I always try to stay active, especially with helping guys train and stuff.

HI-FN: From the talk on the street, your last Total Combat at Baby Rock fight you had was UNREAL. Tell us about it.

TM: I fought Matt Taria in that one. The guy was born and raised in in Kailua, Kona. Then he moved out to San Diego and started training with Dean Lister. The kid was shredded and in good shape. He was a brown belt in jiu jitsu. I saw a couple of his fights on tape and wasn't too worried because his standup didn't look too good. Then the bell rang I came out trying to knock 'em out and then everything went out the window because it was a different fighter in front of me. Then I realized "Oh my God! I'm in for a war!"
(Troy won the fight by decision after 3 rounds)

HI-FN: I hear you're coming off of an injury?

TM: When I fought Taria, I had 2 slipped discs. Discs 5 and 6 to be exact. It was a real bad neck injury and I had to undergo some treatment. I took about six months off. Then I got a little bit chubby. Then I started getting ready to fight in July in Total Combat. Then BOOM! I tore my MCL. My MCL has been torn. After being up in Big Bear, helping Kendall, it's the hardest camp that I've ever been a part of, that's for sure.

HI-FN: Were you impressed with the training?

TM: Very impressed. I'm a trainer at Cobra Kai and run some MMA classes over there. This really helped me as far as coaching techniques go. It was unbelievable.
HI-FN: Cobra Kai has really been representing in "The Ultimate Fighter." Could we see Rude Boi on "Season 5"?

TM: When Season 5 comes around, I'm definitely gonna try my hardest. I know I probably have to pop out at least 2 more fights prior to that. I think I have some really good connections for catching the eyes of the producers. I know Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta personally. I really think I have an O.K. chance and I'm a pretty marketable guy. So we'll have to see what happens with that.

HI-FN: We could actually see you peeking your head in the frame at one of the Ultimate Fight Nights while Rogan was doing some interviews.

TM: (laughs) Ken Shamrock was talking some smack about Tito. Tito's part of our crew and he was saying that he was gonna break "this and that." Tito's a part of our team. I had to stick my head in and give him the "Whatever dude!" (laughs)

HI-FN: The WFA is coming into the MMA picture in N. America. Tell us what you think about that.

TM: All I know is that they're putting together an amazing card with a lot of interesting fights. They could sell that place out for that event. I do believe that the people in the whole production is run with a lot of financial backing. It may be able to at least come into an equal level with the UFC here in America. UFC runs the show here. As long as the WFA does well on the PPV, it's gonna be another competitor.

HI-FN: Could there be a possibility that you'd get the call from the WFA?

TM: We'd have to see. I just got done training with Ivan Salaverry. He just went home and he's on the card. I do have some good connections and I could try to get in on there. They have a lot of big name guys fighting right now, so I'd come out as an underdog. As far as where I wanna be fighting in the next few months or years will be wherever I feel will be best for me at the time. Right now UFC is top dog and focusing on the UFC is really aiming high. Kendall is the prime example. He was the underdog on that show. The possibilities are endless.

HI-FN: When will you be fighting in Hawaii again?

TM: I was actually planning to fight at the ROTR. It's so nice to come home and referee and spend time with my family and be able to do that every show. If I start to FIGHT with the Rumble on the Rock, it may complicate my ability to come home everytime. I most definitely want to come home and fight in Hawaii though. A lot of people know me there from refereeing and I'd like to show them why I'm in there and that I actually know what I'm doing.

HI-FN: So you're a welterweight?

TM: Yeah, but I'm actually trying to get down to 155. Right now it's looking like it's gonna take a lot of work. My next fight may be at 170, but a lot of those guys naturally walk around at 190 to 200 pounds and they cut all that weight. When I'm 190 to 200, I'm just fat. If I can lean up a little bit and change my diet, I can definitely get down to 155 and be a force there.

HI-FN: You have anyone in particular that you'd like to fight? Any fighter that you'd like to get a win over to get your name out?

TM: Honestly, I see a lot of guys out there and the mistakes they're making. I'm a cool guy. I don't really dislike people I don't know. Anybody can say they can beat anyone. A prime example; I'm coaching Kendall. I tell him to do this and that, but I get in there, I get excited and end up making the same mistakes. I just gotta keep training and get to the level where I can get some prestigious opponents. I'm sparring with big guys. That kind of tells you where you're at. When you get to train with guys like Tito, it lets you see where you're at. I feel like I'm at a pretty good level though. I'm on a competitive level. I'll take whatever's given to me. I'm not afraid of anybody, but I am afraid of ghosts and cockaroaches. (laughs) I'm not afraid of any man.

HI-FN: You think the impact Carlos Condit had on the Hawaii scene rivals that of your training partner Mayhem Miller?

TM: I'm sure all the Hawaii people would like to see them fight. Personally, I think Frank Trigg was a little cocky, that's why he got submitted that way. Condit's an up and comer and is learning everyday. There's some guys out there who get stuck in their ways, while Condit's the kind of guy who keeps improving. You just gotta watch out for him because he's got some real sharp elbows. Mayhem's the same way though. He's learning everday. He's young and crazy. I, myself would love to see them fight, but Miller's pretty heavy right now.

HI-FN: Since you're at 170, do you think you'd give Condit a good fight?

TM: Me and Condit? I would bang with that guy anyday. Like I said, you see the mistakes some guys making, but when you get in there (to fight) it's a different story. I'm not afraid of him one bit. I know he's got really sharp elbows. He may cut me, but I'm not afraid of that guy.

HI-FN: He's a nice guy too.

TM: Oh, most definitely. We hung out. He's a cool cat. Before the fight, he's pretty intense and hard to talk to and stuff. After the fight, he's a real nice guy and stuff. He's young and all us young guys get along real fine. Some guys are punks in the sport, but I would definitely not call Carlos Condit one of them.

HI-FN: Is Kendall (Grove) your only training project, or is there any other up and comers that we should be on the look out for?

TM: I definitely do. In Las Vegas, my top student's name is TJ Brown. He's still fighting at the amateur level. He's just like Kendall in the way that he's like a sponge. He listens to everything I tell him. It's almost like he can only hear my voice sometimes. I love 'em with all my heart. He's my main training project. I have another kid named Ryan Monaco. He's a wrestler and a young kid out of Las Vegas who's only 20 years old. I help Joe Stevenson a lot with his fight training. I hold mits for him and spar with him a lot. I coach Joe a lot as far as training goes. I'm preparing Mayhem and like I said before, for about 4 or 5 of BJ's fights, I helped him train. But above all, Kendall's my best friend. I love the guy. I don't have any other friends like him, and that's why I believe that through all the trials and tribulations, I stick with him because of our friendship. I never want to see the guy fail.

HI-FN: You said you're from Hilo, have you heard of HW King of Pancrase finalist and Hilo native Poai Suganuma?

TM: Nice!! But, no I haven't. Hey Suganuma......if you're reading this, good luck from the Rude Boy.

HI-FN: Can't wait to see you in Total Combat in August and one day fight in Hawaii!

TM: Like I said, I had a couple of fights in Hawaii before I moved to Vegas in '99, but I need to really get on the ball with that. I wanna fight back home. My mom, my friends, the hometown crowd cheering me on. Maybe we can get some of the fans who love to boo my refereeing at the Rumbles. (laughs)

HI-FN: What you up to with refereeing future events?

TM: I'm going to Guam to referee that show with PXC. I'll be going back there at the end of July to ref the Rumble promotion that they're having there. I do believe I'm coming back for the first week of August to do the big Rumble show there.

HI-FN: You wanna thank anyone before we go?

TM: Most thanks goes to Tito for letting me come up to Big Bear and help train Kendall. He could have easily said no or whatever. He allowed me to stay in the house and eat all their food (laughs). All the props goes to Tito. Also to all the people who helped Kendall to stay positive. I'd like to thank you, Kawika for giving me the opportunity to tell people what's going on with my career. Always gotta thank my boss, JD Penn for keeping me with that organization. Respect!!! Boomshock bumplaclaude!!!