ANGLETON, TX, July 25, 2012 – Featured in the main event at Garcia Promotions’ Cage Combat 10 event this Friday night will be a welterweight title fight between Team Tooke’s Jose Llanas and our latest interviewee, James Powell of Fight Science.
James, also called “Jimbo” by those close to him, took this fight on short notice after Llanas’ original opponent Michael Alvarez fell out of the fight due to undisclosed reasons.
Coincidentally, this may be a more intriguing fight after all given the fact that Powell was the first person to beat Alvarez in MMA just a month ago at Elite Amateur Combat 3.
Powell scored his first MMA title that night at EAC 3 but is now hungry for more as he and Llanas will be facing off for the Garcia Promotions welterweight title.
Here are his pre-fight thoughts prior to that bout.
Interview – James Powell (Fight Science)
I’m feeling good and have been injury free for some time now. I really haven’t slowed my training down since only fighting a few weeks ago.
What’s the thought process behind taking this upcoming fight on short notice?
The way I’ve been training since we opened up Fight Science is that we emphasize to be ready at all times. Basically “practice what you preach,” so in my mind, I am always ready on short notice to do battle.
This will be your second title fight now. How do you feel approaching that situation the second time around?
It feels good to be the main event for the second time I like to compete against the best and feel confident going into this second title fight
Tell us how that last fight against Mike Alvarez went. How did feel to win your first belt?
The last fight against Mike I touched gloves and went to work. Though I had finished it in the first minute to submission the fight was restarted and I got to pull off some stand up, take downs, and ground and pound to win with a ref stoppage in the third. It felt really good to win a belt in front of my family, friends, team and all that support in Houston MMA. I want the same feeling this Friday. It’s addicting and I want more.
I think I am right on the heels of going pro as a well rounded fighter. From day one to now, I am a different man, father, and husband because of the test I have put myself through training and competing. That is something that you can never take away and I want to continue to do this for future growth.
What’s been your most memorable fight so far?
Probably the Charlie Ontiveros fight being it’s the only loss in my last 4 fights. I went into that fight with a plan and it taught me that game plans should be fluid because not everything goes to plan. It also showed that I need to finish fights and leave the judges out.
What’s your typical training day like at Fight Science?
Typically we have our specific days for stand up and ground but getting ready for fights I train hard on cardio. Lots of bag and mitt work then scenario training and 5 minute drills with fresh people each time – covering bottom, top and stand up position. It is the worst part about taking a fight and it’s also the drive to why I have to win.
I don’t approach fights too different depending on the person. I try to keep my arsenal full so I can focus on being in good shape for each fight. I have grappled as well for some time now and have no issue taking this fight down. We always come up with a couple of new attacks that can’t come off of old tape and utilize them in the fight.
What motivates you to step into the cage each time?
The personal growth I get from every fight by testing myself both mentally and physically are the biggest gains I get out of cage fighting and the reason I do it.
How do you visualize this fight going/ending in your mind?
I see this fight not going to judges and ending much like the last fight, by mounted ground and pound. I will respect his BJJ and in the same sense I’ve got work to do.
What’s next for you after this?
Next is time to collect another belt and then go pro. I want to get to the next level and compete.
Do you have any last words for your opponent before Friday night?
Respect to Jose. By his interview he seems like a cool dude. Let’s put in work Friday and we will have that beer afterwards, loser buys! I would like to thank my God, friends, family, my Fight Science Wrecking Crew and MMA fans.