LFC 8 Interview Series – Learn More About the Life of “The Hitman” Ricardo Talavera

PITTSBURGH, PA, September 9, 2011 – I wish I could tell you that somewhere in the Steel City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the “Hitman” Ricardo Talavera was spending all his time preparing for his upcoming battle with “Sho-Nuff” Rashon Lewis with nothing else on his mind. After all, that type of single-minded focus and warrior spirit are the type of qualities that cause opponent for fear you and fans to love you as a fighter.

For this man, that type of singularity is simply not the case at this time.

To backtrack one moment just to clear things up, it’s important to note that Ricardo Talavera has already proven his warrior spirit with past performances like the one he had against Jeff Rexroad at Legacy FC 5, when he rose off the canvass on several occasions to battle it out blow-for-blow until the final bell where a lesser fighter may have fallen much sooner. So his focus and spirit are not in question.

It’s just that fighting simply isn’t his only priority right now.

The newly-signed Team Junquiera / Elite MMA fighter and Made to Win Representative is not just another fighter preparing for a big fight. He is husband and father of three little boys. His youngest, Danny, was born just little over a month ago. And as tending to a newborn wasn’t enough, his two older sons, Ricky and Bobby, are as rambunctious as any son of a fighter nicknamed “Hitman” can be. Moving to Pittsburgh shortly before his last fight, Ricardo and his brood are still settling in to their new surroundings even today – having just sold their home in Houston only recently. Adding to that are all the requirements of his profession in petroleum engineering and life becomes very demanding for Ricardo Talavera. It’s not just hitting people in the face and acquiring free swag from sponsors for this guy. You’re talking about a fighter with many priorities and responsibilities outside the cage.

So why would he do it? Why travel down all the way from Pittsburgh to step into the cage in Houston again, especially after such a brutal war last time?

Maybe he’s a little crazy.

Find out more about what makes this fighter tick by reading our in-depth interview with “The Hitman” here on TXMMA.com.

What’s up Ricardo! Thanks for taking a moment to talk to us despite the busy schedule. How’s the family and life in Pittsburgh for you guys?

Definitely. Thanks for having me Mike. Well, my family and I have been doing pretty good. Still settling in here in the Steel City. We were finally able to sell our house in Houston and buy one here. That was really stressful since my wife Liz was expecting and you know, being the paterfamilias and all, you have to make sure your loves ones are well taken care of. That being said, we do have a roof over our heads now, my boys are growing up quickly and keeping us busy, and yes, we have a new addition in our family. My wife gave birth to our 3^rd son Danny a month ago. Needless to say, the Talavera family has been busy…

I bet! How are you guys able to balance taking care of a newborn in addition to two energetic toddlers and all the house stuff, plus training for this fight?

 Simple, GRANDMOTHERS!!! <laughs> In all seriousness, it has been definitely challenging, but thanks to my mother-in-law Sue and my mom, I have been able to focus more in the extra-curricular activities I have to get myself into in order to prepare for this fight. I have to balance things around, and to do that I need a lot of planning ahead and adjustments so I can deal with all those sliders that are thrown at me from time to time.

Why is this fight and MMA in general worth all that sacrifice for you considering all the other stuff you have going on?

That’s a good question, and if you find an answer for that please let me know, ‘cause I don’t think I know. I have an idea, but I may need to go to one of them offices with a leather couch and talk about it with a funny looking dude so I can find the real answer.

But for now, I would say, that is the competitive side of me. Yeah yeah yeah, I am sure a lot of people say the same thing and it definitely not the first time nor be the last someone will say it, but there are a lot of those that can relate and know exactly what I am talking about.

Most of Houston’s MMA fans now know you from your last war with Jeff Rexroad. Reflect on that fight for a moment.

Oh man, what can I tell you? Jeff made me bleed my own blood…<laughs>

We put a good show for the Houston MMA fans. Unfortunately, I took the worst from that meeting. Jeff is an excellent fighter and I knew that coming into the fight. He proved to be that and more. His reach advantage was a great deal and he was able to use it well. Even though we both connected well, he was able to land a few cleaner shots that put my ass on the mat. He beat me at my own game. That’s one of the things that in my opinion were so unique about this fight. We were matched up nicely and were like a shadow of one another style wise, well, with the exception that he is like 7 foot twelve..<laughs>…or at least seemed like it. At the end, this fight taught me a lot. Taught me that I am able to bang and recuperate during rough circumstances. It taught me that it will take A LOT to put me away…so whoever I’m fighting better be prepared and know what they are getting themselves into.

Why come all the way back to the H to fight again?

Houston is my hometown. Yeah, it is true that I was born and raised in Venezuela, but it was Houston the city I settled in and lived in for years ever since I migrated to the US.  Other than that, and as I have said previously, the competition in Houston is sick and even more important than that the level of promotions is outstanding. You find a lot of professionalism behind MMA events and also BJJ tournaments. Also, it gives me an opportunity of visiting family and seeing old friends.

Since you’ve entered the sport, what’s been the proudest accomplishment so far in your eyes?

Believe it or not, my last fight against Jeff was an accomplishment for me even though he handed me my first loss. Being able to go the distance with him was bitter sweet. Not just because how good of a fighter he is but also the fact that he put me in so many difficult situations and I was able to compose myself and fight till the end. We didn’t win fight of the night for no reason.

How are you continuing to improve and get better?

It is my willingness to learn. I want to improve in everything I do. My striking, my ground my conditioning, anything that will help me to have that edge. I lose nothing when I am learning.

Looking ahead a few weeks, you’ll be fighting Rashon “Sho Nuff” Lewis at Legacy FC 8. Have you scouted him at all by now? What do you think about him as a fighter?

There is a lot of things fighters change from one point of time to the next. Yeah sure, I took a look at him and went about my business… Rashon looks very athletic and in top condition.  Heavy hands and he comes from one of the best training facilities in Houston, Paradigm, where he trains also with some of the better fighters in the city, including Jeff Rexroad who beat me on my last Legacy appearance. As a fighter, I respect the fact that he is willing to get up there and bang. I am sure he is going to come more than ready to try taking my head off.

You say he’s very explosive. How do you plan on countering that in the cage?

True, as I just mentioned he looks like he is in great shape, very explosive indeed. However, we all know that this is only one part of the package, the more explosive, the greater the chances of leaving holes and commit mistakes.  I am looking forward to capitalizing on these mistakes.

How do you plan on winning this fight?

Ideally, I like to win by KO. However, I would take a W in whatever form it comes. Not really looking forward to get fight of the night, too painful… <laughs>

Any last words for Rashon?

He is a former Quarterback right? Well, He better audible and call up Shotgun, ‘cause here comes the Blitz!!!

What’s next for you after this fight? Will we see you back in Houston again?

That I don’t know. I am focused on this fight and this fight only at this time. We’ll see what this crazy world brings. Oh yeah I am going to Disneyland and take the family on a vacation hahaha, I don’t know man, all I know for sure is, I will have to catch up with my “Honey Do” list, thing are stacking up and …<laughs>…and yes,  I would definitely be back in Houston, whether I am fighting or barbequing.

Any last words? Anybody you want to thank before the fight?

I am back and ready to f-ck shit up!

I’d like to thank as always, my wife Liz for putting up with me and my crazy ass mood swings while training, that on top of a crazy training schedule. Professor Rodrigo Junqueira and teammates at Team Junqueira, Jake Miclot, Mike Linza, Simon Arias, Josh Butia, Kevin Goodwin, Carl Gulley, Chris Sproat. Always Elite MMA for their continuing support and training and Brett Boyce for welcoming me to his team of fighters, if l left someone out, please forgive me, can’t think, I am too hungry!

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