Max Martini - you may know him better as Mack Dirt Diver Gerhardt on the hit TV Series The Unit on CBS. We met him at a recent workshop Quinton Rampage Jackson was holding in Las Vegas and then again at the Pit Fight Camp with John Hackleman/Chuck Liddell and asked him a few questions about a movie he has coming out later in 2008, a few things about himself and his interest in MMA. We also tested his abilities on picking winners for some upcoming fights, after all, we are in the Sin City!
MMA Sports: So you just recently completed a movie called Red Belt’ scheduled to be in theaters later this year. Can you tell us a little bit about the movie and what your character’s (Joe Ryan) role is?
Max: I was so lucky to be included in this movie. It’s a beautiful story that takes place in the world of Brazilian JiuJitsu. I play Mike Terry’s (Chiwetel Ejiofor) protégé in the movie. I’m a police officer training at this down and out little BJJ gym in West Los Angeles. The Mike Terry character refuses to fight for money, choosing honor instead. Then an accident between me and a lawyer (Emily Mortimer) set into motion a series of events that force him to make some very difficult decisions. Tim Allen is in the movie as well as Joe Mantegna, Ricky Jay, Ed O’Neil, Alice Braga, Rodrigo Santoro, Randy Couture, Jose Cantillo, David Paymer, Cathy Ryan, Rebecca Pidgeon who is also in ‘The Unit’. There are so many more great actors and actresses involved. If you love MMA go see it!
MMA Sports: You mentioned Randy Couture. Enson lnoue and John Machado were also part of the movie. How much interaction did you have with them’?
Max: Randy Couture came onto ‘The Unit’ for a run and nobody told me. I assume intentionally because they all know what a huge MMA fan I am. He shows up at rehearsal and I am supposed to glare at him and say “Does your momma know you’re out?” I was staring right at him thinking “I know this guyl”. I looked at his ears and was like “get the f**k out of here!” So basically he and I had an on-screen stand off. I let him win because he is such a nice guy and I’m a fan but Randy if you’re out there - that was a one time deal! He and I didn’t have any scenes together in the movie but I came down to watch him shoot. Same with Enson lnoue. John Machado and Renato Magno trained us and both fight in the movie. It was amazing watching them work. Two masters, man. John would show us these amazing BJJ moves - flying arm bars - all this crazy shit without screwing his hair up! He’s like the Brazilian Tony Manero from ‘Saturday Night Fever’ but instead of dancing circles around you he submits you. Renato I met on ‘The Unit’ set. He trained me for some of our fight scenes. We incorporate a ton of BJJ into our shows. A great friend and a great teacher.
MMA Sports: Were you in any of the fight scenes?
Max: Yeah, but I am always getting my ass beaten - COMPLETELY unrealistic - but hey it shows I’m a good actor!
MMA Sports: At one of the camps, I saw you working mitts with Juanito lbarra a bit, you looked awfully good! What is your background in mmafmartial arts/boxing?
Max: I was living in NY and one of my dear friends Adrian Pasdar from ‘Heroes’ showed me how to throw a left hook. That was about 15 years ago. The rest is history. I actually asked Juanito who he would recommend as a trainer in LA and he said Jeremy Williams. I had already been training with Jeremy for awhile. We work out of Legends Gym. I can’t say enough about him. He is one of the only guys that I am aware of that is competing in boxing and MMA (undefeated). I think he is going to set a trend. Boxing compliments MMA well. We might see more: people cross over as the paychecks grow with the popularity of the sport. Anyhow, watch out for JereM I think you are going to see big things from him. He and I have become good friends. We are also workflj on putting a movie together that we will both act in. Jeremy has really transformed me. As for MMA I an training. Last person I trained with was Mac Danzig. Ahhh, to be twenty years old again… I don’t think I’ll be competing in MMA anytime soon but I may take o, some professional boxing matches. I’ll let you know
MMA Sports: So besides the movie how else you’re involved in the sport?
Max: Well, like I said, I train a ton but I am also working with some people developing an MMA show that we will soon go out and pitch. I truly believe that this sport is only beginning to be recognized for its potential. It still hasn’t been entirely accepted as “mainstream”. This show will help to broaden the audience. I plan on hosting which will be great. It’s a covert operation right now and I don’t want to spoil it but you’ll want to talk to me again once you see it - that’s for sure!
MMA Sports: So any fighters you particularly follow or are the really fan of?
Max: I love Fedor Emelianenko. He’s amazing. Tell me you saw him submit Hong-Man Choi! Fedor came up to his knees! My wife and I watched it together - we were out of our seats screaming! He is so fast it doesn’t seem human. There are so many great fighters but another that I really enjoy watching is Roger Heurta. He is, in my opinion, flawless.
Max’s Fight Predictions
BJ Penn vs Sean Sherk:! like BJ’s stand-up and we’ve all seen him on the ground. His BJJ is so tight. I’m going to go with a Penn win by submission.
Rampage vs Forrest: I can’t wait for this!! Two great fighters. Brawlers! Forrest is a big(ger) boy and can last a LONG time. He is going to have to stay on the outside or get in real tight. If he gets caught in the middle by one of those big Rampage rights he is in trouble because I don’t think he can take it. That said, I am sure he is training for Rampage’s game. I predict Rampage but I think the fight will go the distance. He’ll be bringing more to the table offensively.
Interviewed by Michael M. Perez
Photographs by Kevin Lynch