LAREDO, TX, March 21, 2012 – Continuing on with our Bellator 62 interview series surrounding this Friday night’s event at the Laredo Energy Arena, we speak to Sonny Luque Trad, owner of the Laredo MMA Academy and a born-and-bred area resident who’ll undoubtedly be coming in as the hometown crowd favorite when he takes on fellow South Texan Luis Vega on this Friday’s night local feature undercard.

Read on and see what Sonny Luque has to say about fighting in his hometown, what this fight means to him, and what he hopes to accomplish in the sport after Friday is all said and done.

Bellator 62 Pre-Fight Interview – Sonny Luque Trad

First of all Sonny, let me ask you… How does it feel to be fighting for Bellator in your hometown? That has to be a great feeling for you…

It really is an amazing honor for me to be fighting for a promotion such as Bellator. It says that all the hard work I put in all this time has not gone unnoticed. I am just very happy to fight for them.

I am from Laredo; here the fans go crazy for the sport. There is a lot of demand for it. There aren’t that many schools here in Laredo. I took a big risk leaving Dallas and my team at Guy Mezger’s Combat Sports to come back to Laredo. But thank god everything has worked out and I am really proud of my team and what we have accomplished as far as MMA for Laredo.

Aside from fighting, you’re involved with the sport in a variety of roles. Tell us about them.

I run my own gym so I am always in the thick of things. When I am not fighting I focus on training my fighters, managing, getting fights for my team. You know, coach stuff. Also since I was out last year with my injury I got to see the other side of MMA. I was a matchmaker for two successful shows. If it’s MMA and in my hometown, I wanna be involved anyway I can.

So when did this opportunity to fight at Bellator come about?

I got the call from Bellator six weeks ago. I was getting ready for a warm-up fight in Mexico when I got the call. I was out with a bad knee injury for all of 2011 and finally just got cleared to fight in December but when a promotion like Bellator calls you don’t say no. I’ve had a solid camp, been working mainly with my team, and with Laredo being such a huge boxing city, I’ve had the luck to train with the best boxing coach in town – Humberto Flores from The Fight Gym.

How would you describe yourself as a fighter? What can fans expect when they see you in the cage this Friday?

Fireworks mike, that’s what I’m about. Anyone that has seen me fight can vouch for this. I have a really fan-friendly style. I always try to avoid the ground and bang. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a slouch on the ground either but I just have a fascination with hitting people, hard. You can expect fast powerful hands, with brutal kicks.

What can you tell me about your opponent?

I am fighting Luis Vega. He was a replacement for my first opponent. I am actually very familiar with him. We’ve trained together before and I have nothing but respect for him and his team. We both have a fan-friendly style; I am expecting him to bring it. I am sure he knows I am. I am not a smack talker, and like I said before I respect Mr. Vega. I am expecting nothing but his best because I am coming hard.

How do you think this fight plays out?

I am ready for a three round war if it comes to that. But I’ll be head hunting for sure.

What does the future hold for you? Any last words for the fans or anyone else?

Really thank you for your support. It really humbles me to see all the support I’ve been getting. And to all the beautiful people of Laredo, I hope to make u proud this Friday. I feel very blessed that promoters want me for their shows. I’ve got two more fights lined up after Bellator. My goal like every fighter is to make the UFC and I think a win in Bellator would be a good step in the right direction.

I’d like to thank all my sponsors if I can. Vectra Secure Zone, Mike’s Bail Bonds, Dragonfly Aviation, Swolle Fitness Aparell, GH Pools, Royal E Transports, South Texas Solar Systems, Mi Esperanza health care provider, Cinco MMA, Cantu’s Muay Thai Academy, Saito Ma, Perfect Fit by Mandy, The Fight Gym, Jessica Prado, and El Poncho. Also to all my students at Laredo MMA Academy, I love you guys. Lastly, thanks to my girl for supporting me endlessly and being there for me all the time, I love you Mandy. Thank you so much for this opportunity Mike Calimbas. You the man.

For more on Sonny Luque’s pre-fight preparations for Bellator 62, also check out his Q&A interview with Spida Garay over at TexasFighting.com!