HOUSTON, TX, February 21, 2012 – Up next in our fight week coverage for Legacy Fighting Championship 10 is this pre-fight interview with Angel Huerta. A lifelong martial artist, Angel, also known as “The Chosen One,” has spent his whole life believing that hard work, dedication, and determination would get him to where he wanted to go no matter what he did in life. Whether it was on the soccer fields, in the Karate dojo, or in preparation for his burgeoning career in MMA, it’s always been about work first in pursuit of his passions.

That attitude has led him to five wins in a row as a professional, most recently in Legacy FC last April over Nate Garza. Suffering an injury after that bout, Angel has taken the better part of the last ten months off to rehab his body and revamp his mind towards his eventual return to the cage. He’ll be fulfilling that goal this Friday night at Houston’s Arena Theater when he takes on Arlington’s Michael Sierra (4-5) in his first fight back since last year.

We recently spoke to him to get his thoughts on the upcoming fight, what it means to him, and what else is driving him to be successful in the near future.

Legacy FC 10 Interview – Angel “The Chosen One” Huerta

First of all, I know you’ve dealt with a few injuries recently but that’s behind you. How do you feel coming back Angel?

It feels great to be fighting again. I loved fighting every 2 1/2 months or so when I first started. I was getting really comfortable in there. Injuries are a part of the fight game I guess and you just have to be smart about your recovery and rehabilitation. You know being injured was probably the best thing that has happed to me as a MMA combatant though. Everyone told me I was overtraining but I didn’t listen. It’s like I was in this box and I was just obsessed with being my best that Id over train and come fight night Id be sick or tired. This time around I’ve made sure to listen to my coaches and more importantly my body.

You’ve been a fighter than people have been talking about for some time, both positively and on the other side of things with people doubting your ability or questioning your matchups. How do you feel about all that? Does it add any pressure at all?

I’m not 5 years old and I’m not going to let someone get under my skin or call me out for their own benefit. I’ve never said I was the best. I’m striving to be MY best. By doing that I think it’s very possible that people might say that I am THE best. I listen to my advisers and I let Mick Maynard do his thing with the match making. What some people don’t understand is all the other areas of fighting are new to me. I’m still developing. I never had one amateur MMA fight. <laughs>. I jumped straight into the pros. Yes I had experience in Kickboxing and Karate but this is MMA. I don’t make the rankings and I’m appreciative that people voted me as a #1 ranked bantamweight in Houston but they’re just rankings…

So how would you describe yourself as a fighter at this point in your career? Would you still consider yourself a specialist with your striking? What can fans expect from you come fight night?

I am working diligently on becoming well rounded so I can win wherever the fight goes. The fans can always expect that I come to finish fights. That’s one thing I’ll always keep consistent for as long as I’m fighting.

Many people don’t know this but your fight with Mike Sierra will actually be your first with 5 minute rounds. What have you been doing to prepare for that?

All my mitt work, rolling, sparring or drills has had to be at least five minutes with only thirty seconds to a minute rest. That’s just a small part of it but the bottom line is that I’ll be ready this Friday. It’s all I’ve been focusing on.

Who’s helping you most with this camp?

I work with a few people on different aspects of my game all the time equally. Draculino for BJJ, Aaron Navarro for Boxing, Brian Melancon for MMA wrestling, Derrick Stinson for Karate, Lee King for Muay Thai and Fernando Lopez for Strength and Conditioning.

What do you know about your opponent Mike Sierra? Any thoughts on him?

I know he’s a tough dude who’s got twice as many fights as me and he’s coming to embarrass me in front of everyone I know so he can feed his family. So he’s the hardest dude I’ve ever been matched up against. So I’ve been preparing for war.

Why should he make sure he’s prepared to fight you on his end?

I don’t care what he does. I’m focused on me and what I’m coming to do which is perform and fight to the best of my ability.

Any predictions?

I visualize my hand raised in the air.

What’s next for you after this fight? A title shot on the horizon?

I’m just going to take it one fight at a time. I’m not looking past that at all.

Any last words before Friday night Angel?

Thank you to all of my friends, family, students, team mates, coaches and supporters that will ride for me no matter what. Whether I win or lose. You guys motivate me more than you know. I will do my best!

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