DALLAS, TX, August 20, 2011 – Continuing on with our interview series for the XKO 12 event scheduled for September 3rd in Arlington, we speak to Frank Ortega – a three year veteran of the sport now fighting out of the Tier 1 training facility in McKinney, TX.
“Respect, Unity, Discipline,” that’s the motto over at his new camp and it’s one that Frank Ortega tries to live by in his personal life. Stating his young son as his number one priority, Frank has oftentimes had to balance commitment to his family obligations to those of his MMA career in his six years practicing the sport.
Beginning in 2008 in the SWC organization, Frank experienced early success in the sport, going 4-1 in his first five bouts before hitting a wall and losing his last five fights. Citing that he was too eager to take on fights he probably should have passed on, he realized his next fight against Michael Sierra at XKO 12 is an important fight for him. In fact, it’s one he labels as a “must win.”
“It’s very important to me to get this win,” Ortega told TXMMA. “I wanna make sure I still get calls because I love this sport and want to keep doing it.” Based on those comments, it almost feels as though this fighter is putting it on the line for this one. Talk about pressure.
Read on and get all of Frank’s thoughts prior to his Xtreme Knockout showdown with Michael Sierra.
Frank, thanks for taking the interview prior to XKO 12. How have things been going for you man?
What’s life like for you outside of training?
Well at the moment I’m actually unemployed so I’ve been able to really focus a lot of time on training. My first and most important commitment is my son. So I spend a lot of time with him since I have the time to do that right now. But if you know anyone looking for an Apartment Manager, give them my info.
What’s allowed you to continue pursuing a second career in such a demanding sport despite all the other obligations you have?
I’m really lucky because my parents and girlfriend are really supportive of me fighting. My parents help with watching my son when I’m at the gym. Because of that, I’ve realized no matter how much I train I have to make time for myself and family.
As far as my love for the sport, I think I’m driven by the desire just to compete. I was raised in a family of mainly boys. We all played sports. So competition is a natural thing for me. It’s something I just love to do.
What’s your overall record so far and where do you feel you are at this point in your MMA career?
Unfortunately my record has been on a downslide. I took a few fights that I probably should have passed on. I’m sitting at 4-6 overall …but that’s about to change to 5-6. I think each time I step in the cage that’s an accomplishment. I’ve been training for about 6 yrs now and I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. They talk about doing it yet they never seem to accomplish that final goal of actually fighting.
It definitely is respectable every time a man steps into the cage. What are some of the challenges you face in there?
What are you doing to improve here lately and turn things around?
Training has taken a turn for me in the last couple months. As I said before, I’ve linked up with Alan Shebaro who’s a Machado black belt. He’s helping tighten up my ground game. He’s also my strength and Conditioning coach. I’m with him five days a week twice a day starting at 5 a.m. so I’m working hard to improve and reinvent myself.
Looking at XKO 12, you’ll be fighting Mike Sierra. Where might you have the advantage facing him?
My strength is gonna be my kicks and hands this time. I’ve kind of gotten away from using them and I’m really looking to get back to my base. I’ve got some awesome partners over at Tier 1 that have been doing Muay Thai for a long time and they’re working with me as well.
As far as Mike, I’ve seen him fight several times. We’ve talked in the past at previous shows. He seems like a good kid and I’m glad he was willing to step up when Randy (Villarreal) wasn’t able to take the fight.
Looking at this fight, it seems like you both have similar records. How do you feel you guys match up?
I think we match up well, we’re both smaller so I think we’ll both be quick and aggressive.
How important is it for you to turn things around with this one and get a win?
It’s very important for me to get this win. I wanna make sure I still get calls. I love fighting and I wanna keep doing it. So we’re going out on Sept 3rd expecting nothing less than the W.
Any specific thoughts on how you plan on getting the victory?
If you had to give last words to your opponent before this fight, what would you tell him?
I’m not really into trash talking or hyping a fight. It is what it is. Two guys are gonna go in and kick and punch the crap out of one another. Like I said earlier, if anything, I’m actually gonna thank Mike for taking the fight. If not for him I would be sitting in the crowd like everyone else.
What’s next for you after XKO 12?
Well, I would love to continue to stay in the area and fight. I’ve got a ton of family and friends around here and it’s nice when they can come out and watch. We’ll just have to wait and see if XKO is gonna want to bring me back.
Any last words?
I wanna thank Alan Shebaro, Danny Woods, and the rest of the team at Tier 1 Training Facilities for pushing me every morning and afternoon. Also thanks my girlfriend Laura for putting up with my crazy schedule and for being so supportive. Thanks to my parents and brother as well for always believing in me.
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