Interview – Team Tooke’s Levi West Looking for his First Legacy Amateur Title this Saturday!

March 11, 2011 – With matching 3-0 records heading into this month, Team Tooke Teammates Guilherme Moreira and Levi West have ruled the roost in Houston’s amateur welterweight division. Through constant wars in practice, these two fighters (along with other fighters in their camp) have pushed each other to get better and better on their way to the professional ranks.

For Guilherme, that culminated an astounding first round knockout victory just last weekend at Cage Combat 3 that allowed the young Brazilian to keep his GP Title Belt and up his record to an undefeated 4-0.

Not to be outdone, Levi “2 Fly” West now looks to do the same in pushing his own undefeated record one notch higher as he looks to obtain a title of his own at the Legacy Amateur Series against 3-0 Rodrigo Martinez out of Austin, TX.

If nothing else, this fighter will be nothing short of prepared as he’s recently returned from his pilgrimage to New Mexico in order to stay with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and train with the vaunted Jackson’s MMA camp in order to get himself in shape for this and other challenges ahead.

Here are “2 Fly’s” fight week thoughts as he looks towards his first amateur title this coming Saturday.

Levi, for our readers that don’t know you just yet, tell let them a little bit about yourself. How did you get your start in MMA, how long have you been training, etc?

I’m just your everyday guy who likes to have fun and party! I got started in MMA after i saw an old UFC event with my dad. I boxed 4 years before getting into MMA, I have been doing MMA over 2 years now just about, but I still work on my boxing and footwork hardcore. I think I have an awkward style.

How did you get the nickname, “2 Fly?”

I got the nickname “2 Fly” after I fought in Hawaii in March of 2008, After I won my fight, my former boxing coach Ron Collins said “Levi you 2 fly!” and I was like that’s a tight nickname, plus it rhymes with Levi. Haha!

How did you end up boxing in the first place?

I didn’t watch too much boxing growing up besides Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali’s fights. My aunt told me I should try out this boxing gym off 1960 in Humble (guessing because i was always getting into fights in school). I tried it out and fell in love with it.

What do you see as the difference between MMA and Boxing in terms of both training and competition?

Well there’s a big difference…you can’t kick, punch, elbow, knee, or take people down in boxing… <laughs> They’re different in a lot of ways in training and the fight. Too many to list!

If all things (including money) were equal, which would prefer to do as a career and why?

I honestly couldn’t sit here and lie and say ” I would still be an MMA fighter.” If the money was equal for EVERY career I have no idea where i would be right now.

What’s your life like outside of training? Any other hobbies?

I party a lot with friends (beer pong)! I eat A LOT. I enjoy going to the beach and fishing. Hunting on occasions… spending time with family, lifting weights, helping out charity when I can, just so many random things to list. I can go on and on. I’m everywhere!

What’s training like over at Team Tooke? Do you feel like its beneficial to have so many active fighters around your level to compete against in the gym?

We train hard & help each other get better every day. Yes, me and Guilherme have wars every time we spar. Then you’ve got Andrew Craig, Jace Pitre, Travis Tooke, and Hurricane Ike always kickin’ my butt. Then more fighters who make me better every time like Aaron Croon, Eric Garcia, Justin Castillo, and now Adam Schindler and Chris Lopez. It’s great to have them on board for sure.

As far as your career, you’re currently 3-0 in the amateur ranks with experience in boxing and Muay Thai also. Any one of those (fights) stand out over the rest as being toughest?

I’m actually 4-0 since were counting Thai fights…I would have to say my first time fight was the most tiring when i fought Jose Pacheco out of Bushi Ban, because no matter what I threw at that guy he kept moving forward. He brought the fight out in me.

You’ll be fighting for your first title in just a few short days. How has training been for you leading up to this fight?

Training is great. I got to train out at Jackson’s MMA for 2 weeks. I was getting my butt whooped by Cowboy and a lot of other great fighters there. Cardio wise, I feel great and ready to throw down.

Is there any area of the fight you’ve prepared for more than others?

Well I drill my takedown defense because I’ll stand and bang with anyone…But I train everything pretty equal besides that.

What do you know about your opponent, Rodrigo Martinez?

Not too much. I heard he’s from Austin, TX and his record is 3-0? I also heard that he has a karate style…other than that, I’m clueless.

Why should fans buy a ticket to watch you fight?

Because I don’t put on boring fights. I will push the pace constantly and make my opponent fight or let him know he’s in a fight

One way or another, do you have any aspirations as far as going pro soon?

HMMMMM…. everyone will have to wait and see. It will be a surprise <smiles>

Who are some of the names you’re excited to match up against at the next level?

Honestly, I wanna get some fights outside of Houston and beat them guys up. I’ll be excited to fight anyone, don’t matter who. When that time comes I’ll deal with it then!

What can we expect in the near future from Levi “2 Fly” West?

You can expect big things from me as well as Team Tooke fighters. 2011 is our year!

Any last words and/or shout outs?

First off, I wanna say rest in peace Casey “The Hand Grenade” Hobson. You were my boy and I’m dedicating this fight to you bro. Gone but never forgotten.

I want to thank Team Tooke and every single one of my teammates. Also thanks to my sponsors (DFC, B3 Sports, MMA Overload, Mike “The Truth” Jackson, Proformance Mouth Guards, Mr. Nutrition, Primal PT, L&L Oil Services, Laundry Machinery Specialties, OMC Studios, Kingpin Fight Gear, and West Rig Welding).

I also would like to give a shout out to Eric Garcia and Jace Pitre for putting on badass shows. I’m glad I was a part of a couple!

TXMMA’s Coverage of the March 14th Legacy Amateur series

Related Content

Thomas Moreno hopes to become Houston's version of Roy Nelson

By February 19, 2020

2016 TXMMA Awards - BJJ Edition Voting Ballot

By February 19, 2020
Exit mobile version