CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, April 19, 2012 –Our country’s peace keepers and soldiers have had a long and storied history of proving themselves on the battlefield and while defending our streets. They’ve also had success fighting a different kind of battle as well within the sport of MMA.

From former Boston police officer Sean Gannon besting Kimbo Slice as an introduction to the sport all the way to Georgia police veteran Forrest Griffin winning TUF and subsequently the UFC light heavyweight title, this success has permeated itself throughout all levels of the sport.

It’s been happening here in Texas as well.

For example, HPD gang task force rep Jeff Rexroad has risen up the ranks in Legacy FC to become a top contender in the welterweight division. Fort Hood Combatives has produced several fighters at the amateur level that all aspire to go pro. We couldn’t mention them all here but there are many other success stories in Texas MMA that involve peace officers and members of our US Armed Forces happening right now in this sport – something that can be attributed in general to their fighting spirit – that X-factor that tells them to keep going when the going gets tough.

One such Texas possessing that desire to compete and test himself under duress is Corpus Christi police officer Corey Bellino. Training under Marcus Aurelio and Hector Munoz at Paragon/FCFA, the full-time cop has already amassed a 5-1 record as a pro fighter with his only coming to UFC veteran Darrill Schoonover way back in his 2008 debut. He’ll be looking to notch his sixth win when he takes on Austin-based Andre Kavanaugh in the main event of STFC 20 tomorrow night in Victoria, TX.

Here’s more on Corey Bellino leading up to tomorrow night’s event.

STFC 20 Interview – Corey Bellino (Paragon/FCFA)

Corey, tell us a little about yourself and how you got into fighting.

I am originally from Minnesota. There we start wrestling at a young age. So I started in wrestling. As a kid I won state a few times, but had some medical problems that made me have to drop out of sports threw high school. As I was wrestling I also trained in other martial arts because my aunts and uncles were into them. I had been training for a while when the UFC started in 1993. I would have liked to try fighting back then. I was ahead of the curve
for all around training. What I was offered to fight in 1999 just was not enough to get me away from police work.

As I got older I realized that I am not the type of person to say I could have or should have done something. I am the type that says “I have done it.” This is what got me started fighting with Katana in Corpus Christi when they were here. I did not want to be sitting on the couch speaking with my grandkids and watching a UFC saying I could have done that sport. I wanted to say “I did it.”

Are there any moments in your career so far that define who you are as a fighter?

My one and only loss to Darrell Schoonover defined what I strive for in each training camp. I feel that losing sucks. No one wants to lose. So I do what I can to eliminate that possibility each and every fight. Training at Paragon/FCFA and the quality of training partners that I have is a huge step in the right direction for achieving my fight goals. Expressing myself and being who I want to be as a warrior in the cage is the most important thing to me when I fight.

Tell us a little more about your team. What’s it like training there?

The Paragon/FCFA team is more than that. I feel we are a family. The day to day atmosphere is perfect for me. We push and drive each other to be more than we are alone. We care about each other in and out of the competition arena. I would have to say we are a bit rough for most people. We train hard and play hard, but when you consider training play time; then all is good. To have a camp consisting of Aurelio Gallegos, Hector Munoz, and Roger Narvaez, just to name a few, what fighter wouldn’t be happy. Those are only the tip of the iceberg at Paragon/FCFA. It is an honor and a blessing to be able to train with this group of people that I consider family.

What’s your day-to-day life like outside of the sport?

I have made a career out of being a police officer. I am a tactical medic, firearms instructor and have few certifications. I currently teach law enforcement most of the time now and am rarely in uniform anymore, but we will see how long that lasts. On top of work I have two children. A four year old daughter and a son that will be two in a few weeks. My kids are easily the most important thing to me. Everything I do, I try to do for or because of them.

This upcoming fight tomorrow night in Victoria – What’s it mean to you?

Each and every fight is important to me. As I said losing sucks. I do not look past opponents. I feel that I must outwork and out train my opponents. I like to be the first at the gym and one of the last to leave. So every fight means everything to me. I fight for more than just myself.

What do you know about your opponent? Who is he and how would you describe him?

I’m fighting Andre Kavanaugh at STFC 20. I know that he is a tough fighter that comes to fight each and every time. As always I need to be careful. After April 20th I am suppose to fight Frank Trevino for the STFC middleweight belt. I know that he is undefeated and there is surely a reason for that. I will have my hands full and will need to train hard for that fight too.

Any predictions?

I try not to make predictions. Of course I feel that I will win. My training and confidence make that a necessity. I do not have any ideal ways to end any of my fights. I am well rounded and take advantage of whatever opportunities may present themselves to the best of my ability.

Any other last words before tomorrow?

I would like to say thank you to all my sponsors and training partners for getting me this far. Paragon/FCFA, TD Trucking, Adcock plumbing, CCISDPOA, District Entertainment, and LBR Promotions. Thank you all for your continued support.