HOUSTON, TX, August 19, 2011 – It’s been a while since Houston has seen Colin Wright step into the cage, As one of the city’s top 135’ers, Colin last saw action this past May in the USA MMA promotion in Louisiana – where he won their bantamweight title via first round TKO to bring his overall record to an undefeated 5-0 with five finishes.
Now set to make his return in a bantamweight title matchup for Garcia Promotions on September 2nd at Cage Combat 5, Colin will be taking on his toughest challenge yet in the form of Tony Orozco Jr. – a fighter we’ve labeled in the past as one of the top young talents in the Houston area. With both these fighters considered as top bantamweight prospects with the performances to prove it, it should make for one hell of a championship bout and is our pre-event choice for ‘Fight of the Night’ honors.
We recently spoke to Colin to get his thoughts on this upcoming matchup and get a peek at what he’s been up to heading into one of the most anticipated amateur bouts of the summer.
Thanks for taking the interview before CC5 Colin. Before we talk about MMA, let’s talk about life in general. How have things been going for you man? Anything new going on?
First of all, thank you for your time and the opportunity for this interview Mike. Things have been pretty normal for me lately. A few ups and downs but there’s nothing particularly exciting going on, I guess. I do start back at school in a couple of weeks…
Outside the cage, you’re also known as an artist. Can you tell us a little about the type of work you do and why you have a passion for it?
Drawing has always been a passion of mine and I started at a very early age. My grandpa is a very well respected and fairly well known architect and I believe his passion for drawing was the spark for my fire. I’ve messed around with several forms of media with drawing being my first love and more recently I have been painting murals to help pay bills and to get some of my work out there. I’m also going to school for graphic communications so that I am not entirely dependent on MMA. Anyone wanting to check out some of my work and any future work should check out my shutterfly account to see more.
What do you enjoy more? Art or MMA? Are there any common themes between the two?
That’s a tough question for me but I’d have to say that currently there is hotter fire burning for MMA. It’s no secret that I want to one day be considered the best in the world in my weight class and you need a sick desire and motivation in order to achieve that goal. I feel like I have that. However, I’ve been doing art my entire life so that’s a big deal for me as well. I think the biggest things that they have in common are that they are both stress relievers for me, and I am trying to make a living doing both.
As far as fighting goes, you’ve been regarded as the number-one amateur in Houston. What’s your overall record and what’s your proudest accomplishment so far? What’s been your biggest challenge?
My current overall record is 5-0 (all finishes). My biggest accomplishment to date would have to be winning the Garcia Promotions belt. The toughest challenge so far would also have to be winning that same belt. Very few people know what kind of challenges I overcame to make weight for that fight and the kind of hurdles I cleared mentally to be able to win that fight. It was a big moment for me confidence-wise and it was the first time in my life that I felt I had set a goal for myself and went out and achieved it on my own.
As far as your development goes as a fighter, what’s your biggest strength and what are you working on to get even better?
I think my biggest strength in the cage is my ability to adapt to any situation. I’m always working on every aspect of my game but I think one aspect that I’ve been working on that will help me significantly is my confidence in my own abilities.
Moving on to Cage Combat 5, you’re taking on a tough challenge in Tony Orozco Jr., who’s also known as another young fighter on the rise. Did you watch his last fight or any of his fights? What are your thoughts on him as a fighter?
I’ve actually been live at all 3 of Tony Jr’s fights. I’ve always respected him as a fighter even before he was fighting. He’s a scrappy well-rounded kid who is very calm and composed when he fights.
How do you feel you guys match up? Is there anything specific you or he has to be wary of most when it comes to this fight?
I feel like we match up very well. I think that the Houston MMA scene is in for a real treat thanks to this match up by Eric Garcia and Jace Pitre. I personally think that it will be one of if not THE most technical and high-paced fight that you will see in the amateur division. I think what makes this fight exciting is that we can both do damage on all levels in this fight and neither one of us is going to flinch no matter where the fight goes.
How do you plan on winning?
I plan on winning the same way I always do. By doing whatever is necessary to get the W.
Any last words for Lil’ Tony before you guys hit the cage in Humble?
Under different circumstances I might have something more boisterous or slanderous to say, but in this case I would just tell him that I’m looking forward to us putting on one hell of an exciting fight.
What’s next for you after this? Any plans to go pro?
Only time will tell what’s next, but there are some rough plans on the table. I’m just concentrated on defending my belt right now. I’ll make that decision when the time is right.
Any last words?
First of all thank you Mike Calimbas and TXMMA.com for doing so much for the scene and for taking the time to interview me. I also want to thank Reed Shelger for putting up with me and letting me train at his super gym. I also want to thank all of my coaches and training partners for all the time, effort, and energy they have put into helping me and making me into the fighter I am today. I also want to thank my sponsors Armbar Submission Gear who have some awesome gear that you need to check out if you haven’t already. Also go to Emmanuel Salon in Sugar Land to get a great haircut! Thanks also to my tattoo guru Dannyboytattoo and of course my awesome manager Rich Burmaster and the whole IDGAS B3 crew.
Colin Wright vs. David Armas at Cage Combat I
YOU can help us grow Texas MMA! Please make sure to LIKE TXMMA on Facebook when you get the chance and let us know if you have any feedback on how we can serve you better!
