DALLAS, TX, June 19, 2012 – It’s looking to be a busy summer ahead for Dallas-based fighter Matthew “The Crowbar” Hobar (Octagon MMA).
Matt had a standout debut year in 2011 when he won his first four pro fights (all TKO or submission finishes) and earned himself a TXMMA Rookie of the Year nomination and People’s Choice Award victory for the year.He’s been quiet since then not having fought since beating Marcus Baldivia at Shark Fights 21 this past November but that’s about to change as he has two fights scheduled for the next two months.
First he’ll take on Abilene’s Aaron Cerda (3-2) at 24/7 Entertainment’s Wanted event scheduled for the Far West Event Center in Odessa, TX on June 3oth then he’ll take on fellow DFW fighter Steven Peterson at LFC 13 in Dallas on August 17th. If all goes well he’ll be leaving the summer with a 6-0 record and all eyes on him as one of the prized prospects in the area.
Interview – Matt Hobar (Octagon MMA)
I have been a wrestler since I was four and did Judo at age seven. I didn’t wrestle in college because I was pretty burned out but then I got sick of not doing anything so that’s when I started MMA. I have finished all four of my pro fights and finished 3 within the first round.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned so far in this sport?
I’ve learned that keeping a strong mentality is the key. If you have that mastered, everything else will follow suite.
What else do you do for fun when you’re not training? Any other hobbies?
I will play any sport. My friends are huge sports fanatics and very competitive so I will try and beat them at anything whether its golf, tennis, basketball, etc. I have a jam room in my house where me and my buddies play music together. We switch of on instruments. Guitar is my number one instrument and been playing it for 13 years I also play drums, piano, banjo, and bass.
What do you think defines you most as a fighter and individual at this point?
I am always on point when it comes time to compete. When it is fight time I got my mind made up that I am going to win and there is no other option. The mental toughness never allows me to give up even when I want to.
Who’s helped you get ready for your upcoming fight?
I have done privates with Carlos Machado and worked my striking with World Champion Troy Dorsey. Also, I work everything together with my coach Sayif Saud. I know I have the tools now it is just time to perform.
The crowd will see my greatly improved striking and hopefully will see a quick finish by me but anything can happen in a fight, right?
That’s definitely true. What do know about your next opponent, Aaron Cerda?
My opponent is a good striker I know he is a black belt in Tae kwon do and he loves to stand, and I say bring it to that because I love to stand too. Whether this stays on the feet or goes to the ground I am confident I can finish in either area.
After this you have another big fight lined up against Steven Peterson at Legacy right? Any thoughts on that?
I fight for Legacy in August and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I am ready to step it up to the big stage because that is where I perform the best. The more pressure there is on me to win, the more focused and determined I become to win.
Any last words before your upcoming fight?
I would love to thank my parents, God, my coaches, my teammates, and all my sponsors for their continued support and help.