HOUSTON, TX, June 13, 2012 – With only 3 days to go before fight time, we speak to Champions MMA’s Eric Schechinger. He’ll be debuting against Christopher Johnson at Immortal Kombat III this Saturday in Spring, TX.
IMKF 3 Pre-Fight Interview – Eric Schechinger (Champions MMA)
Chris tell us a little bit about how you got into MMA. What made you decide this sport was for you?
About 7 years ago when I was living in Farmington, NM one of my good friends Rylan “The Cannonball” Sandoval a pro fighter from Team 4 Corners asked me if I would be interested in checking out the gym and maybe come to a free class. So that next week I went and tried it out. It was challenging and hard at first but Rylan kept me motivated and always told me I had what it took to eventually fight pro. He passed away April 17, 2011 just 2 months after the last time I saw him. He is the main reason I train and am a mixed martial artist now.
What is your life like outside of training?
Outside of training I am a stay at home father for my 2 kids, Kyren and Jessica, they are both 12 years old. My wife is an Attorney here in Houston and that’s why we moved to TX in 2008, so she could attend South Texas College of Law. Before moving to TX I was a carpenter and built custom homes for a living. Now I train full time and am part of a great up and coming team at Champions MMA & Fitness.
What’s your training background currently?
I’ve been training with Tom Galdenzi for the past 2 years working on my kickboxing/muay thai and also my wrestling with Taylor Moses and some other good wrestlers who come in to help our guys out before their fights. When I’m not training at Champions MMA I workout at the YMCA down the road from me and do lifting and cardio, mostly by myself because everyone else has a job or goes to school.
How would you describe yourself as a fighter? What can fans expect?
I started boxing when I was 13 and that was my first actual combat sport that I tried. Did that for a few years until I started playing football my 9th grade year. I wanted to play division 1 football but with my size and my grades it didn’t happen. Most of my fighting experience has come by street fighting. People used to pick on me in school and I have never been one to shy away from confrontation, I love fighting and I love winning even more! Come June 16th the fans can expect me and Chris Johnson to put on a great fight with my hand raised in the end!
Do you have any short-term goals now that you’re stepping into the Houston MMA Scene?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I hope to still be competing in MMA and also some pro boxing as well. And also start my own gym or partner up with someone to start one.
Any thoughts on your IMKF 3 opponent Chris Johnson?
I don’t know much on my opponent Chris Johnson other than he’s ex military and a karate guy. Hopefully he will want to stand with me because I feel the advantage lies with me in that area. If it goes to the ground I’m game there also and have confidence I can submit him. Either way it should be a good fight and I’m excited to go to battle with someone who served our country for my 1st pro fight. I respect all men and women in the military and have a lot of friends serving now in the states and overseas.
What’s next for you after this fight?
Not sure what’s next for me after this fight. I would like to compete a few more times this year and if all goes well eventually fight for a belt somewhere. Outside of MMA I want to go back to school and take some AutoCAD drafting classes. When I retire as an athlete I want something else to keep me busy and new goals to try and achieve.
Any last words before Saturday?
I would just like to say thanks to all my coaches, teammates, friends, and family who have supported me through the ups and downs getting to this point in my fighting career. And this fight is dedicated to my lost friend and first training partner – Rylan “The Cannonball” Sandoval – R.I.P. brotha I love and miss you!!!