For Ricky in particular, this fight marks a very important moment in his young career. In fact, it’s one that he’s been waiting for his entire life. “When I was younger I always knew I would someday compete in MMA,” he says about the days when he would dream about becoming a champion fighter on day. For the past seven years he’s been working towards that goal – first with taekwondo, then with wrestling, and eventually with Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Making his MMA debut in may of last year, Turcios has come out like lightning in a bottle, winning both his fights for Legacy by TKO while scoring the fastest TKO finish of the entire year for the Legacy Amateur Series with a 0:38 finish against Eduan Espaillat this past July.
Now he’ll to repeat that finish against his most experienced opponent in Hollis, an East Texas-based opponent that’s 1-0 officially but has plenty more undocumented experience fighting off the grid in bouts outside the jurisdiction of the TDLR. With all those added, he should be 6-0. No matter the record this should b a great test for Ricky and it’s one he’s looking to pass with flying colors… and a championship belt.
Interview – Ricky Turcios
Ricky, thanks for taking the time to do this interview. How does it feel to be getting in the cage for the Legacy amateur 125 title this Saturday?
Thank you so much Mike, and thanks again for the interview. It’s been about six months since the last time I fought, and it feels great to finally be getting back in the cage. I’m very excited and I can’t wait! My training camp for this fight has been amazing. I train Monday through Saturday; three sessions a day. I’ll usually do MMA drills, conditioning, and/or sparring in the morning. In the afternoons I go back to my old high school (Klein Oak) and get in a hard 2 hour of wrestling practice with their varsity team. Klein Oak’s wrestling team is the #1 ranked team in Houston, so there is never an easy session over there. At night I go back to the Gracie Barra to finish my day off with Muay Thai and jiu-jtsu. This has definitely been the best eight week camp I have ever had leading into a fight, and I feel more prepared than ever.
It sure sounds like you’re all in with training. Rewinding back a bit, how did you get into martial arts in the first place? Tell us about it.
Well growing up as a kid I was always interested in fighting. I use to always watch play a lot of Street Fighter with my dad growing up as a kid. I also watched a lot of Dragonball Z. I still watch it all the time to this day. Dragonball Z always gets me motivated during my camps. When I was younger I always knew I would someday compete in MMA. It was my long time dream as a kid to grow up and be a fighter. I set it as my goal that one day I would fight in the cage, and now at the age of 18 I’m living my dream. I started out with traditional taekwondo at the age of 11. It helped me get that first taste of what it was like to compete in some form of martial arts. I started grappling my freshman year in high school when I joined the Klein Oak Wrestling team. I had never done any kind of grappling before in my life, so making the transition into wrestling was something brand new to me, and I quickly fell in love with it. It was during my time in high school that I also joined Gracie Barra North Houston and began studying in the art of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Martial arts are like my life. I take this very seriously, and I don’t know what I would do without it.
You say it’s your life. What has it done for your life specifically?
Training has helped shape me into the young man I am today. It has shown me to set goals for myself, and no matter what to always keep striving for them and to never give up. The most important thing that I have gained from training is my work ethic and the iron will to win. If you want something, you have to work and work and work at it until you get it. You can’t just achieve something by hoping and thinking you are the best. You have to train like you’re the best. You have to dedicate yourself to one goal, always keep it in mind, and sacrifice whatever it takes to get it done. One of my favorite quotes of all time ” I believe there is no pleasure in life; there is only a relief from pain. We have to suffer to be on top.” (GSP)
What do you do when you’re not in the gym? What’s life like?
Life outside of the gym is great. I keep it real and pretty simple. Whenever I’m not training I’m usually hanging out with my boys, spending time with the family, eating a lot, playing a little Xbox, or taking my girlfriend Anna out on dates. Actually our 3 year anniversary was on January 15. Happy Anniversary Baby! <laughs>
<laughs> What would be doing with your time if you couldn’t train or fight?
If I couldn’t train or fight I’d probably be fat and out of shape, and just focusing on college and work. I’m glad I get to train though.
What some of your goals in MMA for 2012?
I want to be the Legacy Flyweight Champion beginning on January 21st for starters. Then I want to successfully defend it against whoever Legacy puts in front of me. Perhaps make a move up to bantamweight later in the next year. I want to get the Legacy pro contract at the end of 2012, and be recognized as the best pound for pound amateur fighter in Texas.
That sounds like a lot to focus on! Anything else you’re aiming our sights at outside of competition?
Well I just want to finish up my basics in community college and then go to the University of Houston to major in philosophy.
Back to this title fight, what are your thoughts on Ryan Hollis?
Ryan is a tough kid with plenty of fights outside of Houston. He’s a taller skinnier fighter for flyweight and he has long reach. Has some Jiu-Jitsu as well. Overall I think he’s a well rounded guy. I’m not intimated by him though. I’ve trained in all aspects of martial arts for a long time and I’ll have an answer for everything Ryan has to offer.
Want to share your prediction?
My hand will be raised with the belt around my waist. That’s about it. January 21 I’m not going into the cage to survive; I’m going there to hunt. I won’t be satisfied with just a win. I have to finish Ryan.
Sounds like it will be a great fight. Any last words before Saturday?
First I want to thank God. My mom and dad for all the love and motivation they have given me. Without them none of this would be possible. I want to thank my little brother Ryu. He is the biggest motivation for me, and I don’t want to let him down. My girlfriend Anna and her family as well for all the love and support they have given me. My coaches Chad Robo, Todd Moore, Gerardo Abadie, Michael Corley, Alex Morono, Alex Gotay, Matt Wald, Jared Chaffee, and everyone else who has helped me from Gracie Barra NH. You all know who you are. My wrestling coaches Brad Ewing and Ryan Crsoby. All my brothers at Klein Oak Wrestling. Everyone who has trained with me from Tooke’s. All my friends, family, fans, and everyone who believes in me. Thank you. Last but not least I want to thank TXMMA for taking the time to do this interview with me. Thanks again Mike.
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