Mike: Could you tell us a little bit about how you got started in MMA?
Issac: Initially I started kickboxing in Stockton. I wanted to kickbox, and wasn’t really sure about MMA. I competed in a few "smokers" and won those fights, then started doing a little mma. Once I started doing that more and learning the ground game and everything I knew I wanted to just focus on MMA.

Mike: Where do you train now and who are some of the guys that get you ready to fight?
Issac: I train with Team Buhawe, with guys like Lavar Johnson, Billy Evangilista, John Reedy, and Domique "Fallen Angel" Robinson. Lavar is a heavyweight, but Reedy and Evangilsta (who will be fighting on the same card as me on October against Jorge Gurgel) are some of the guys that get me ready.

Mike: You won your last fight by decision against Justin Smitley... what are your thoughts on hat fight?
Issac: Honestly, it didn’t really go how I wanted. There were words exchanged before the fight, and we didn’t like each other. I think it was mainly a technical fight, we were about the same speed, and the fight was mostly a stand up fight. I should have been a little more aggressive with my standup and went for the kill. I went in and tried to prove a point, and show that my standup was better then his. We sort of made a gentleman’s agreement to stand and trade... none got KO'd... but I landed more shots and was too strong and technical for him I think.

Mike: Out of your 8 wins (no losses) which is the most memorable?
Issac: My fight against bobby Stack 2 years ago in Strikeforce. I think I am his only loss still. It was my first fight in Strikeforce and I was supposed to lose. Stack came in like 6lbs over and I was like 2lbs under… but I said lets do it! He was strong and took me down a few times. I kind of expected to get thrown around a little, as he was a good wrestler... and I also remember that he hits hard! That was pretty memorable, how hard he hit! But yeah, I used my speed and stuffed a takedown where I ended up choking him out! I knew he was going to shoot in again and leave his neck out, so I waited for it and got the win. It was a little weird as that’s not really my game... but it worked out!

Mike: Would you eventually like to fight in the WEC, or what are you looking to do down the line?
Issac: They already contacted me about fighting at 155... but I told them I want to keep competing at 145. So the offer is out there. I mean they have a lot of the good guys, and I would love to fight the Mike Browns and the Urijah Fabers. I don’t think I am the greatest fighter in the world or anything… but I think that I could win those fights. Honestly though, what I want to do is help Strikeforce build on their 145 class and give them something solid to setup the division. That’s what I want to do. Stick with Strikeforce and help the division grow!

Mike: So with an 8-0 record... do you feel like you have a target on your chest?
Issac: Oh yeah, definitely! Just like me… you know? I see fighters who are undefeated, and think, they are tough... but I know I can beat them, and give them their first loss. So I am sure there are a lot of people gunning for me, and that think they can give me that first loss. I am not sure who they are specifically, but I am sure there are guys that want to get at me and take that 0 away… but I will not go down without a fight.

Mike: So when is your next fight?
Issac: It will be October 25th, and it will be in Strikeforce.

Mike: Who will you be fighting?
Issac: It will be against, who I was supposed to fight in my last fight… but I got injured, Bao Quach. I have been anticipating this fight for a while now. I saw him fight Tito Jones (who took my spot) and I just felt like I could have put on a good show against Bao.

Mike: How do you think it will go down?
Issac: It should be a good fight, we both want to win. I feel like there is a lot riding on this fight, and we need to put on a helluva show and help keep the 145s on the map here in Strikeforce.

Mike: So, being from stockton, what’s your take on the Diaz brothers?
Issac: (laughs) The Diaz brothers... They have great Jiu-Jitsu, and are great practitioners of that. They are talented and are both great fighters. I do know that they are really "clicky" with who they let train with them... they don’t really like the standup guys coming in and training with them. I think they are good for Stockton, but could represent the city and sport better. They are ok guys, you know… but we are 2 different styles completely. They are good fighters, but should really change their attitudes.

Mike: What do you think about Fedor joining strikeforce?
Issac: It’s awesome! I just hope it doesn’t kill our pay (he laughs). I don’t know who all they will have fight him. They have Werdum… and I know Rogers just KO'd Arlovski. They both have power, but I don’t know, Fedor is pretty quick... but yeah man, I think its a good thing, as long as it doesn’t kill our pay!

Mike: If you could play matchmaker for a day... what’s one fight you would love to set up and watch take place as a fan?
Issac: I would have to say Anderson Silva vs Lyoto Machida. If they could figure that out and make it happen… I think that would be a cool fight.

Mike: Last one. If they made a movie about your life, who would you want to play Issac
De Jesus?
Issac: (laughs), Nice. Hermes Franca, i don’t know why… but I really like that dude. Plus it would keep it in the MMA world.

Mike: Anyone you’d like to thank?
Isaac: Scrappler MMA, Chase Chevrolet, Golds Gym of Fresno and Redwave Tattoo of Fresno.