DALLAS, TX, June 16, 2011 – Going into this Saturday’s showdown with undefeated Jason Sampson at Undisputed MMA, most people around the Texas fight scene would consider Randy Villarreal the underdog. Facing an opponent with a deep grappling pedigree and UFC aspirations, the grizzled Sampson will indeed prove to be a tough test for Randy but it’s one he is looking to pass with flying colors on the way to bigger things.
In fact, he took on a similar situation less than a month ago when he decided to step in against Bellator-veteran Zach George for Cowboy MMA.
“I had just got finished with another fight when they (Cowboy MMA) called offering me Zach George,” Randy said.“ I usually fight at 135 but this was at 145 and when they called me, I was hearing that this guy was 20-4 and that nobody wanted to fight him, especially right there near his hometown in Oklahoma.”
Undaunted, Villarreal stepped up anyway, taking that fight against the Bellator veteran on ten days notice and winning in the first-round via armbar. “I watched a lot of video on him and I saw some weaknesses I could take advantage of, Villarreal said about his pre-fight preparation for George.
For him, that pre-fight video watching should have brought back memories of his time going to college in San Antonio – when he first got into MMA courtesy of the UFC DVD’s his brother used to bring over to his apartment. It was because of those tapes that Randy started training, eventually ending up at two gyms – Genesis Jiu Jitsu (under Albert Hughes / Tony Tipton) and Phalanx MMA (under Durwyn Lamb).
With five years of training experience now behind him, along with eighteen combined fights as an amateur and a pro, Randy Villarreal is looking to step up his learning curve and chase his UFC dream by taking on the toughest competition possible.
“I’m a very well-rounded and very tenacious fighter. I never give and I’m always coming forward and looking to end the fight. I took this fight with Jason Sampson because I want his spot. Everything he’s worked for with his 6-0 record… all the publicity he gets… I want to make that mine this Saturday. I definitely want to get to the UFC first and I feel like beating a name like Sampson is going to go a long way towards me getting in there.”
With such a specific goal in mind, Randy is confident he has all the tools to beat his highly-favored opponent.
“I would say it’s a typical striker vs. grappler matchup,” Villarreal says about his fight with Sampson. “I think he’s more of a specialist where his game will be to try to take the fight to the ground/ That’s going to be where he wants to go. For me, wherever the fight’s going to be, I know I’ll be ready. Without getting into any specifics, I will say I plan on finishing and this fight will not go to a decision.”
Finish the fight. End up in the UFC because of it.
Sounds like Randy Villarreal has plans of his own.
Acknowledgements
“I just want to say to all the fans I have now, thank you for continuing to support my journey towards the UFC. For everyone, I just want to say that I will always give it my best in the cage and always try to entertain y’all as only I know how to. Also I’d like to thanks Aggression Combat Apparel, TexasFighting.com, and NorthTexasFisticuffs.com. Thanks for the support!” – Randy Villarreal
AUTHOR’S NOTE – We here at TXMMA.com are striving to uphold our commitment to being the most comprehensive resource for MMA and Grappling within the state of Texas. With your support and participation, we pledge to continue bringing YOU, our readers, the most up-to-date news and coverage of the state’s fighters and events. Please LIKE us on Facebook and participate through your comments and feedback. Thank you for letting TXMMA.com be a part of your lives!
