HOUSTON, TX, February 22 2012 – Times were tough in the last twelve months within MMA for a once so promising fighter named Rey Trujillo. A former Legacy 155 champ, “Tru” started his career with an 8-2 record and a penchant for being one of the most exciting guys around within the Houston MMA Scene. Ferocious in style and relentless by nature, he’s always been the type of fighter to give his all in the cage, win or lose. Especially after 28-second knockout over Jose Santibanez at Strikeforce: Houston in august of 2010, he was definitely a fighter pegged for big things.

Then his losing streak happened and everything changed, including perceptions.

Following up his career high of beating Santibanez at Strikeforce, Rey would take on Ray Blodget in Legacy and drop his 155 title. Eager to get a win back, he took fight after fight in 2011 while fighting for IXFA and Shark Fights in addition to LFC but never found a victory. Five fights later and he stood at a crossroads.

Not yet willing to quit, he took on another veteran challenge in Randy Hauer this past January in IMKF and earned himself a first round TKO victory. And he doesn’t plan to stop now.

Times had changed says Ray, his commitment and training habits have changed too. “This is my year,” he says. “It’s my time to shine.”

“Yeah I lost some fights in 2011, he said about a past that he considers all but behind him. “It was hard but not all that hard taking those losses because I brought it upon myself by not training and not being a professional at all last year.”

It’s different now.

We caught up to Rey on his way to this Friday’s fight with Munil Adriano on the undercard of this Friday’s Legacy Fighting Championship 10 on HDNet. Read on and see what he has to say and what his mindset is like heading into his latest fight.

Legacy FC 10 Interview – Rey Trujillo

First of all, congrats on getting back on the winning track in your last fight. How did it feel to pick up that win against Randy Hauer?

It felt good getting a win! It was a much needed!

Can we expect this to continue in 2012? You’re known as an exciting fighter. What do you hope to do this year?

2012 is going to be a great year for me. Everyone can expect to see an even more exciting warrior because I will never go into another fight out of shape. I learn the hard way but that lesson has been learned and if I lose again it will be because the guy was that much better. I won’t let people look better than what they really are anymore!

You lost some tough fights last year. How tough was that for you mentally and was there ever a point where you wanted to quit?

Yeah I lost some fights in 2011… It was hard but not all that hard taking those losses because I brought it upon myself by not training and not being a professional at all last year. Never did I consider quitting though. Being a quitter is not in my blood. (shoutout to TRU Bloodline Fightwear). Now let’s say I trained 6-8 weeks those fights and still couldn’t win… Then yes, maybe it’s time to move on. When I’m trained and in shape it don’t matter who they throw my way. I will make them look like a bum and retire their asses! I lost in 2011 but it wasn’t a total loss because behind the scenes I’ve been building an empire. Fighting is not all that I do. Shout out to: The Print Shack, Tru Bloodline Fight wear, Bloodline MMA and Fitness, Tru. Entertainment oh and it’s just the beginning!!!

How would you characterize yourself as a fighter at this point in your career and what do you hope to show in this next fight?

I’m still a baby learning every day but I’m an entertaining lil’ rug rat at that. I fight and think outside the box and that’s why I’m exciting. I am becoming more and more professional every day and I will hit the zone soon. I will be an untamed beast and become world champion. It shall be done!

You were originally supposed to rematch Ray Blodget and now you’re fighting Munil Adriano. Did the switch affect you at all?

Fighting this Brazilian is cool… It doesn’t matter who it is (I’m fighting).  I’m still coming in to finish and put on a show at their expense…..

What do you know about Munil Adriano going into this one?

I don’t know much about my opponent other than the fact that I’m sure he will be tough, but is he tougher than Trudachamp? We will see come Friday night ‘cause play time is over and I’m about to show the world it’s my time!

Any predictions?

I just see victory. This will be me running the show like a star is supposed to do!

What’s next for you after this fight Rey?

I don’t have a fight scheduled after this but I’m ready for what ever or who ever….. be it I win I’d like to fight for the Legacy 155lbs title and 145lbs title!

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Any last words before Friday?

Thanks to all my fans, friends and family. Also thanks to all the sponsors that help me along the way. It means the world to me. Be on the lookout for Rey “Tha Warrior” Trujillo and Bloodline MMA and fitness.”It’s a new dawn with a new don!”

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