BURLESON, TX, February 9, 2012 – It’s not often you hear of fighters begin in MMA only to fall in love with the sport and try to make a living at it but that’s exactly what our next fighter in focus Burt McDonald is doing right now.
“I have been into fitness for a really long time, and I got burned out on the normal fitness gyms,” he says about how he got into the sport. “I was always intrigued by the UFC so I signed up at Arlington MMA and started training in MMA, got my first amateur fight and found out I really loved the sport. Next thing I did was open Texas Fighting Syndicate (TFS) and go pro.”
With 3 wins and 2 losses on the amateur level, McDonald made the leap to the pro ranks just last January at XKO 9 with a win against Jose Diaz. He subsequently lost his next two fights to two highly-regarded fighters in Chris Pecero (XKO 11) and Donnie Bell (XKO 12) but remains undaunted on making his fight career a success, just like he’s trying to do with his business.
That quest continues for him at XKO 14 against Johnny Wise.
With that fight looming along with his other responsibilities including a day job as a Maintenance Coordinator for Alcon Labs, Burt knows he has to work double time but it’s something he’s prepared for while knowing there are both ups and down with fighting and owning a business. “Wins are easy, losses are lessons,” he says. “Business and competitions both have high and low points and I have to be prepared for it all.”
“It’s just a little busier than normal,” he says about life gearing up for his fight at XKO 14.” Right now I am just enjoying the opportunity to participate in this sport as a fighter and a coach. I love fighting but coaching our fight team has just as many, if not more, rewarding moments! The TFS Fight Team spars very often, we do strength and conditioning program and we run lots of miles. When I get into a camp, I throw in Saturday and Sundays sparring and training with Nick Pahanish, a brown belt in BJJ and owner of the Texas Black Belt Academy. My goal is to see my gym grow and succeed in this great sport, and to see all of our members work hard towards whatever dreams they have. We have fighters that will be seen on TV!”
With Tina, his wife of 17 years supporting him, Burt is primed to make a success of his upcoming fight against Wise, a fellow boxer.
“I feel great! My body feels good and I am ready to get back in the cage. I expect a good stand up battle with Jonathan. I think both of our experience in the cage is the same, so we should put on a good fight.”
“Thank you to my wife Tina, all of the TFS students and our hard working fight team, our coaches Viorel, Jon, Skyler, Chris and Thomas, my parents for supporting me always, James and Kristi Wallace for everything they do for TFS and my big sponsor Weapons of War, aka W.O.W.”
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