“This kid’s gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid’s gonna be somebody better than anybody ever knew.” – Rock Balboa
May 5, 2011 – Such are the thoughts that often run through one’s head when watching the emergent talents of our amateur MMA scene here in Texas. Simply put, we’re putting them out there bigger, badder, and more skilled than ever before!
Tomorrow night, it’s the Houston area’s turn as the Humble Civic Center played host to Garcia Promotions and Cage Combat 3: Independence. All the fighters on the card stepped on the scale this afternoon at Stats Sports Bar & Grill with no issues to make the card official for Friday night starting at 8PM.
This past week, TXMMA.com has played host to three out of the four title combatants of the night with in-depth coverage of their training and mindset leading up to the bout.
- Cage Combat 3 – Updated Fight Card for May 6th in Humble! – here
- Guilherme Moreira Set to Defend Title this Friday at Cage Combat 3! – here
- Interview – Cage Combat 3 Lightweight Title Contender Aaron Croon – here
- South Texas Fighter Santos Rosales – Ready for Title Shot at Cage Combat 3! – here
Now see these last words from many of the fighters set to take the cage at CC3 as they share some insights on their final preparations, what they visualize as the outcome of their respective bouts, and who helped them along the way to cage combat!
Cage Combat 3 – Final Thoughts from the Fighters
Guilherme Moreira (Team Tooke)
I want the people that watch my fights to see me as a well-rounded, good fighter than will fight anyone and never quit. That’s my main philosophy. I don’t know much about him (Santos Rosales) but I’ve heard he’s a very tough guy that really likes to fight. I’m the same way so it should be a good fight. I train everything equally so anywhere the fight goes, I’ll be prepared.
Santos Rosales (Paragon / FCF)
I love to keep it standing. I will win the fight wherever it takes place. I’m gonna be ready for a five round war if it lasts that long. I want to thank my family – mom, dad, brothers,
sisters, and of course my girlfriend Cindy. Thanks to all my teammates and coaches at Full Contact and Paragon. Also thanks to all my sponsors – Results Personal Training, American Brand, Rocks Discount Supplements, Lounge Studios for making my music, Affiliated Inc. for my shirts, and everybody else that’s supporting me. I’ll make you guys proud.
Hossan Walker (Paradigm Training Center)
I’m tired and pissed off but mostly excited. I’ve been training my ass off. I’ve just started at Paradigm and they have a lot to teach me. I’ve just been trying to absorb it all. The fight won’t go five rounds I’m gonna try to end it as soon as I can. I wanna thank the guys at paradigm, my coach rick at one to one and all my team mates there, and my boxing coach Dexter. And my last words
before the fight would be “I’m ready let’s do this.”
Aaron Croon (Team Tooke)
Hossan is tough fighter he pushes the pace in all of his fights and just wears his opponents down but I’m 100% prepared for whatever he brings. I’ve fought this fight hundreds of times in my head and every time my hand is raised in victory. Just want to give a big thank you to my wife for all the support and all my training partners and my team Tooke family.Thanks to Precision Shooting Instruction, Labrada Nutrition and A-1 barbers.
Randy McCullough (Team Bailout)
I feel Really good coming into this fight I had a little over a month to prepare rather than 9 days like in my in my last fight. I’ve moved to Windy Sports & Fitness where I train with Team Bailout. We have been working cardio, stand up, Ground, everything. I feel more prepared for this fight than any other fight so far…Team Bailout has brought me along way and everyone will see a different fighter out there. This dude he is only 5’4 and I’m 5’9 with a 73″ reach so I’m gonna use that to my advantage and keep it on the feet. I’ll probably test the waters a little bit to see what he’s working with but ultimately I’m going for the K.O. I would like to thank Everyone that has supported me, My wife and kids for being my rock, Bobby Powers and Jermaine Anugwom they are great coaches and role models, Robert Olsen, All my training partners and lastly I would like to thank Corey Monson for showing me the world of MMA and setting an awesome foundation for my MMA career. And you to for the interview!
Bryan Broussard (Mitchell Fitness)
I feel better than ever. I prepared for the fight just like every other day. I train year round and I hope that I can show my complete MMA game on Friday night. I would like to thank Kenneth from fight gear for supporting me with the t-shirts. And everyone who has supported me in my year round grind. Party boy will party when or lose!
Rodrigo Rodriguez (Austin Muay Thai)
I feel good, strong, and focused and I know what I have to do to win this fight….I’ve been an active fighter, I went from one camp to another, so we’ve been training hard and tweaking things up,, and doing a lot of cardio to push the pace…I just visualize my hand raised in the end…I want to thank my coaches, Elton Wells, Justin Brooks, Eddy Krew, and my team Austin Muay Thai… It will be an exciting fight and the crowd won’t be disappointed.
Chris “Chop” Rucker (Paradigm Training Center)
I feel good and confident about this fight. Ive been working my jitz and striking. I see this fight going my way. I would like to thank Paradigm MMA: Reed, Mike, Lee, Tim, Shonuff, Igor, Renan, Gordan and the rest of my coaches and teammates… Bombs away!!
Will Papp (Kingwood MMA)
I feel confident. I have worked on being more aggressive and pushing the pace of the fight. I see this as being a good matchup and a good fight. I want to thank my training partners of course, along with my coach for keeping me motivated and helping me prepare.
Ryan Rivera (Team Bailout)
I feel confident and ready for this one. I’ve put in the time and worked my ass off, and it’s all thanks to my team. I see it being a war. I would like to thank my Team (Bailout MMA), my sponsors Brazos Valley Bail Bonds and Jonny-Rotten Clothing.
Chris Lopez (IV Oz Fight Club)
I feel like I have put in the time with all the right people. I love the team I have around me. All in all I’m ready to go out there and prove myself…. I finally get to show everyone what I’m about out here on the Houston scene. I’m looking to make some waves in 2011.
I have been getting ready for this fight for 7 weeks. I went out to stay with Cowboy Cerrone out at his Ranch and trained with great fighters at Jacksons MMA for 2 weeks. I felt good until I got my finger smashed in a door a few days before I had to leave there. I had to get 7 stitches 3 weeks ago. It’s just a minor set back…My camp has been a lot of cardio and technique for the last 3 weeks.
I want to thank my teams Team Tooke MMA and 4oz fight club for all the help getting ready for this fight. Without my training partners…I wouldn’t be ready. All the guys at Jackson’s MMA for beating me up for 2 weeks. Thanks to my sponsors Cutten Customs, Mens Club of San Antonio, Robman Photography, DJ Double R, Ragan McDaniel @ B3 Sports, and most importantly…. My PARENTS. Without them wouldn’t have the opportunity to do this every day!
Justin Castillo (Team Tooke)
I feel strong and ready to do whatever it will take to get the win. I trained harder then I have ever trained in my life, also gotten beaten up by the best in Houston on a daily basis which has only made me stronger and a better fighter at the end of every day. I have played every angle over and over in my head, but it always ends the same way with my hand raised in the end!! I want to thank all my coaches Travis Tooke, Jace Pitre, Andrew Craig, Jose Llanas, and Jimmy Bills, My team mates Eric Garcia, G Moreira, Levi West, Aaron Croon, Andrew Muzquiz, Adam Schindler, Chris Lopez, Hurricane Ike, and my Team Tooke family. A SPECIAL thanks to my sponsor Clean By Troy Garza, my co-workers offshore and my wife Samantha for putting up with me training all the time last words hmmm I hope you’re ready Eric Thompson cause I’m coming for the WIN!
Eric Thompson (Silverback MMA)
Well I feel…Like James Brown. I’m the best shape of my life… At Silverback we have a saying “Some train to fight, We train to win” and that is exactly what I’ve been doing. Training to win, doing everything that coach tells me to do, pushing body beyond its limit. I didn’t get before but now I understand. That’s why I feel good. Well I see the fight one way…that’s with me winning.
First I would like to thank Jehovah God for blessing me with the health to train. My whole family, my church for their support Hiram Clarke Missionary Baptist Church. My Silverback Family: Coach Tony, Scottie, Tony Jr, Jeez, Larry Hopkins, Chile, Nacho, ACE for his words, Mabel for the shakes, Alex, Jason David Frank, Dreck, Julio, My best friend Bryant, Ms. Santos for her words, Ace’s wife, Mike, David, Robert, Kings of Israel Lodge No.19 AF&AM, and special thanks to Christina Villarreal for coming thru for a brother…Last but not least Erika Wells. Don’t blink it’s going to be over soon!
Ian Hanes (Kingwood MMA)
I feel confident coming into this fight. I’ve really worked hard on a number of things and feel as though I’ve improved considerably since the last time I was in the cage. I’ve been sparring and rolling with guys who are stronger than I am to help myself prepare for a stockier opponent, even though I don’t see this fight going to the ground. I’d like to thank my coach Tom, as well as John, Mark, Will, Shawn and everyone who pushes me every day in the gym
John Haydon (Kingwood MMA)
I feel really strong, pretty stoked for this fight! I’ve been working a lot of take down defense and keeping the fight on my feet. Training at kingwood MMA has made me such a well rounded fighter, John the maniac Malbrough has been an awesome training partner, and Coach Tom McCusker is an amazing coach, as well as rest of the fight team. I want to thank everyone at kingwood MMA! Eric Garcia for the opportunity once again. I’m going in there to bang Friday night I doubt its going the distance ,but if it does its gonna be one hell of a fight !
Cage Combat 3: Independence – Weigh-In Photos
