This coming Friday night, the word genesis takes on a whole new meaning for part of that twosome when Tony makes his long-awaited debut as an MMA fighter when he takes on Fabian Sandoval at the McAllen Convention Center as part of STFC 21.
“I feel excited, happy, but I’m also a bit nervous,” says Tony about finally making the move from competitive grappling to mixed martial arts.
Though Tipton has been seriously training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for about 10 years or so, he’s also dabbled in karate, TKD, and aikido ever since he was a kid. Now he’s adding to that by cross-training in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and judo in preparation for the move.
“I was originally interested in MMA in the beginning but got “swept” away by BJJ,” he says jokingly about how he got started in the sport. Since then, he’s piled up numerous accolades in the grappling word, including notable wins at IBJJF, NAGA, and Grappler’s Quest.
This Saturday he’ll finally come full circle to the goal he had in the very beginning as he takes the cage for the first time.
“All my Genesis homies keep my jits improving. Durwyn Lamb from Phalanx is working on my striking skills. I train wrestling with coach Javad at Ironside MMA, also at Ironside Master Sina will teach me some beautiful judo. Occasionally I drop in over at Star JJ also. And Buddy Clinton beats me up now and again. Basically training has opened to study more disciplines individually and put them together in my MMA training. Little else changes… I train hard with good partners; prepare myself physically, mentally, strategically, and technically. It’s all about keeping an open mind and humble spirit.”
His confident is high headed towards his first fight.
“I predict an outstanding performance on my behalf. I see myself giving my best. My plan is to hunt Fabian down until the fight is finished. I visualize myself with my hand raised. After that, I want to get several wins under my belt and to double and double over again my skills and abilities in the cage.”
Fighter Acknowledgements
First I’d like to thank you and all the TXMMA fans/supporters, all MMA fans that make it possible to make a living at a sport I love. Again I’d like to thank all the Genesis peeps! My coaches Cyborg, Durwyn, Javad, Buddy. My great friend and partner Bert, girlfriend Ashley, my training partners, Pressure Brand, students. My mother for making me start karate as a child. And the haters! See y’all at the top! – Tony Tipton