HOUSTON, TX, January 23, 2012 – “Finally the Hurricane is back at 205,” says Ike Villanueva (8-5) about his upcoming main event fight this Saturday at Immortal Kombat (IMKF) 2. Making his last appearance on HDNet at Legacy Fighting Championship 8, Hurricane Ike came out on the wrong end of a second round KO at the hands of Larry Crowe in a middleweight experiment that has ended that night. Now back at light heavyweight, he’s looking to put that behind him and resume a streak at 205 that includes wins in 5 out of his last 6 appearances.

“It’s been a long journey but I’m still going strong in this fight game,” he commented about how he feels headed into this bout with undefeated prospect Justin Ledet. “I’m excited about this next fight (with Ledet). “This boy finally gets his wish on January 28^th and I’m planning on giving his ass some of my night time medicine with my hands. It’s time to get down. My goal is to take the next step up with this fight. I had some down falls but I always bounce back. This time I will again. I’m out to prove I am the best at 205.”

Read on to get the rest of Ike’s thoughts prior to his main event fight for Immortal Kombat 2 at the Competitive Edge Sports Center this Saturday night.

Interview – “Hurricane” Ike Villanueva

First off Ike, let’s rewind for fans that haven’t seen you fight yet. Tell us a little bit about how you got started in this sport. What’s your story?

Finally the hurricane is back at 205! It’s been long journey, but I’m still going strong in this fight game. I got started way back in the summer 2006 at Silverback with Coach Tony and Bobby Perez. I was training with Daniel Pineda, Jose Santibenez, Jorge Paz… those guys. This where I got my start in MMA and I’m thankful everything Coach Tony did for me.

You’ve been around for awhile now. Any “most memorable” moments in your career so far?

The most memorable moment was at Puro Combate when I knocked the dude out in 58 seconds or so. It was just great moment for me. He got a taste of my deadly right hand that night. I had the poor dude crying in the parking a lot after the fight.

How would you describe yourself as a fighter and what do you love about this sport?

What’s there not to love about this game? The excitement I get walking out to some Ramon Ayala while heading to the cage… the fear I put in my opponent’s eyes when they lock cage… That’s when the crowd knows they’re in for a show. I will always be a “crowd pleaser” type of fighter. I’m always going for the kill.

Who are you outside of the cage?  Are you always that intense?

When I’m not training, I’m usually hanging out with my family. I’m real close to my family man. I love playing with my son and daughter or just hanging out with my little 12 year old nephew Cristian playing PS3 or anything like that with them. If it’s not that, I’m at work at Control Flow Inc.

Back to MMA, what do you want to accomplish in 2012 starting with this fight?

My goals are to take the next step up this year. I had some down falls recently but I always bounce back. This year I’m going to do that again. I’m out to prove I am the best at 205.

This next fight is a big one for you. How do you feel headed into this Saturday?

I’m excited about my next fight. This boy finally gets his wish on January 28^th and I’m planning on giving his ass some my night time medicine with my hands. It’s time to get down.

Who’s helped you get ready?

 I’ve been training hard at Prince Boxing with Coach Johnson and Andrew Craig has always been helping me spar since day 1. These past 4 week I joined team Paradigm too.  Thanks Thomas, Reed, Grant…. I’ve been training jitz with Igor and Renan. Thanks to all my MMA homies – Brian, Lee, Jeff, Mike B, Lester, Rashon and Eric Garcia too. I love this gym (Paradigm). This is where I need to be.

What about Justin Ledet? How much love do you have for him heading into your fight?

I don’t think too much of my opponent. I could care less about him.

So how do you picture this fight going? What’s next afterwards?

 I’m gonna end this fight in pure Hurricane fashion – with a category five knockout. As for what’s next, I’m gonna take it one day at a time but I will be training hard and waiting on my next challenge.

Any last words before the fight?

I would like to thank my family for all the support, love you mom and dad. Thanks to my brother Ron and Tom and sister Maria for always firing me up to kick some ass. Thanks to my kids and family at home and thanks to Team Paradigm for having me and helping me get ready for this. Shoutout to my homie Andrew Craig for all the help. That’s it. Now it’s time to get down.

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