Before the main card broadcast on Versus, make sure and tune in to Facebook to watch Yves Edwards, Shane Roller, and our latest interviewee Joseph Sandoval in action on the undercard.
West Texas Fighter Joseph Sandoval Set for UFC Debut
This initial UFC appearance has been a long time coming for Joseph Sandoval. Talking to TXMMA about how he first got exposed to the fight world, Joseph credited his grandfather for those moments in his youth where he ushered the young man into wrestling, boxing, and martial arts in general.
Fast forward many years and it became those memories that became the linchpin for his next move after having just completed his service in the US Armed Forces.
“A little while after I got out of the army, I was looking for something to do as a chance of pace,” Joseph told us. “My grandfather would always put me in boxing and wrestling when I was younger so I went to an MMA school back in Amarillo to check it out. At first I thought I’d just try it out or do it for a little while to get in shape but I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought would.”
Getting his feet wet in the sport for the better part of 6-7 months, Sandoval would eventually find himself moving to Lubbock after some personal issues caused him to want to get away from Amarillo and spend more time closer to his siblings out in the Hub City of Lubbock, TX.
“When I got to Bighead MMA I was still an amateur and wanted a few more amateur fights but my coach Eric “Big Head” Davila told me they were a strictly pro gym. I had to make a choice right there so I made it and from then on, I guess you could say I’ve been really busy.”
Looking at his record, it’s almost fair to say that ‘busy’ as a description is somewhat of an understatement. Starting his pro career only in April of last year, Joseph ran off to a blazing start – winning his first six bouts in the span of only about a year-and-a-half competing primarily for West Texas-based Shark Fights.
Heading into his first octagon appearance, the 25 yr. old Joseph is humble enough to know all the hard work is ahead of him and not behind. He knows it will be the biggest challenge ever.
“As far as all my fights so far, I can tell you that Jared Lopez hit me pretty hard and I’ve had some good fights but I don’t think any of them tested me as much as the UFC is going to test me.”
Adding to that, the West Texas native is eager to put on an impressive performance against fellow UFC debut fighter Walel “The Gazelle” Watson (8-2) in order to showcase his skills much like fellow Texas fighter Edwin Figueroa did in his own UFC debut earlier this year.
Joseph also left us with a message for everyone in Texas that will be supporting him come Saturday night.
“I want to tell all the people in Texas that I love them and I’m going to show the world what a West Texas fighter can do. I’m excited and I appreciate all the love and support guys. It makes me want to put on a great show for all the fans in Texas and any fan of MMA. Thanks to my coach Eric Davila and all the Big Head MMA familia, my manager Brian Hamper, Clinch Gear, and all my family and friends who know who they are. I’ll try and represent everyone who’s supported me and the entire state of Texas well when I step into the octagon on Saturday night.”
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