HOUSTON, TX, July 11, 2012 – “I’m just at the beginning of my career,” said Noel Ligon when asked about where he was at in his MMA journey. Undefeated at 4-0 since making his debut back in November 2010, the Tim Mousel product has flown quietly under the radar since his arrival to the professional ranks but that’s about to change on Friday night when he takes on Artenas “Machine Gun” Young LIVE on national television during the main card for the LEGACY 12 event scheduled for Houston’s Arena Theater.
“This has all been a dream come true so far. I’m glad to be fighting for Legacy. I fought for them back in December (Legacy 9) and it was a good experience. I have many great friends and family along with my team and trainers who support me. I am very blessed to have such a great support system and wonderful people around me and I feel great. As always, we have worked really hard in our preparation at Mousel’s MMA.”
Noel’s come a long way since he starting out in MMA after meeting Tim Mousel while taking a weightlifting and conditioning course at HCC.
For those that don’t know, Tim was one of the first individuals to introduce mixed martial arts to Houston as a man that has been cross-training in various martial arts since the 1980’s – including BJJ, Jun Fan/ Jeet Kune Do, Thai Boxing, Combat Submission Wrestling, and more. His website, defend.net, was one of the original discussion forums for NHB/MMA fighting since way before the sport was sanctioned here in Texas.
As for Noel, he’s not quite as along when it comes to accumulating that lifetime’s worth of knowledge but that doesn’t mean he’s not well on his way. He’s always trying to get in as much work as he can, in general and to get ready for his fights as well.
“I always work with my team over at Mousel’s MMA with Tim and my strength and conditioning trainer Tony Giammatteo. Tony and I also put some of our time in over at Warehouse Gym. I got to work more in depth with Pat Swan which has been really great. He is one of the instructors at Mousel’s and Elite that teaches the boxing curriculum. I also train with Jose Luis Vazquez out of Aztlan boxing gym. I got the opportunity to go to Main boxing gym with coach Vazquez to work with Justin Ledet, who is trained by Bobby Flores and Medzhid Bektemirov, who is trained by Bobby Benton. It was great getting the opportunity to work with them. Tim Mousel also took me over to Hoger’s MMA and I got the opportunity to work with Sean Machado, Foster and a few of their guys over there which was a good experience as well.
My trainers, team, training partners, family and friends are my source of motivation. I look to do my best for them. Artenas Young has always been very kind to me. Like I said, I had the opportunity to go with Tim and train with him a couple of times at Hoger MMA which was very nice. As an adversary, I will say that he will be my toughest challenge to date. I look forward to the opportunity to test my skills.
I would like to thank Mick (Maynard) for giving us the opportunity to return to Legacy. I also would like to thank: All my training partners at Mousel’s MMA Academy for all their time and effort in helping me prepare. My trainers Tim Mousel, Pat Swan, Daniel Arola, Tony Giammatteo and Jose Vazquez. All the guys at Main boxing gym and Hoger MMA for letting us work in with them. Zach and Sharon over at Warehouse Gym and my friend Asher Braunig for all the help with tickets. Also, big thanks to all my friends coming out to the fight and to my family for their love and support. Thank you all.”