Undefeated Tyler Keen taking MMA career one step at a time; Fights this Saturday at CEC in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, TX, July 31, 2012 – When it comes to the psychology of fighting, mixed martial artists experience a whole myriad of emotions as they prepare to step into the cage. Confidence, focus, fear, anxiety… All these feelings play a part in the mental aspect of competition for these guys. For some, it may even be a bigger challenge than the physical part of the training. For others, the feelings they experience only serve to channel their energy and boost what they can do in the cage.

Either way, one thing is certain. Fighting encompasses every part of your being.

For undefeated Tyler Keen (4-0), that couldn’t be truer as he heads into his upcoming fight this Saturday against Alex Hernandez at PCG’s Cowboys Extreme Cagefighting at the Cowboys Dance Hall in San Antonio.

“My best friend past away back in Nov of 2010,” he says. “He was a cage fighter himself and got me into this sport. I never would have stepped into the cage if it wasn’t for him. He was the one that taught me all the Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai I know. So every time I’m in the cage at one of these events… I feel inspired to do my very best because of his memory. I’m very thankful to him for teaching me these skills. In a way, it keeps his memory alive in me.”

Training BJJ since 2008 and fighting as an amateur (all for PCG) since June 2011, Tyler recalls that his fondest memory in competition came after his first fight, a first-round submission win over Josh Lazarte.

“All that rush and emotion after knowing I had just won… there’s nothing like it,” he says.

Since then, Tyler has looked keep improving without letting success get to his head.

“You don’t win today’s ballgames with yesterday’s homeruns,” baseball great Babe Ruth once said.

Tyler has taken that type of attitude to heart and most recently won at PCG this past March with a ‘Fight of the Night’ performance against a tough opponent in Luis De Los Santos.

Despite the impressive performance, humility remains at the forefront of his mind.

“All my friends and family are very supportive and think I have more talent then I probably really do,” he told us, laughing.

“I look up to all the fighters that are very humble in this sport, which is pretty rare to find. Guys like Rich Franklin and GSP – fighters that put the training in and come to fight in shape. I’ve had to overcome nagging injuries from time to time that take a toll on my confidence level knowing I’m not at a 100%.but I’ve definitely been improving. Now I’m feeling good and I’m just anxious to get in there.”

“My goal as of right now is to win this next fight and keep from getting injured. I try to take them all one at a time… although I like the challenge of fighting twice in the same month. I’m fighting for the Texas State Title on Aug 31st also so I need to come out of this one clean and injury free.

“I’m fighting Alex Hernandez from Ohana Jiu Jitsu. He’s 2-0 and is a great wrestler with an excellent background. I really believe that if everything goes well and I don’t make any big mistakes, I have the potential to win. I’ve just got to do my very best and if God blesses me with a win, then so be it. I definitely want to thank all my family and friends that attend my fights for the support. And as always…thank God for not only giving me the opportunity, but for blessing me so much and for protecting me from serious injury in this sport.”