A former high school All-American wrestler and martial artist since his elementary school days, “Crowbar” hasn’t exactly been in any hurry to rush into the big leagues just yet up to this point.
Despite the fact that’s wrestled since the age of four and mixed in some judo and other martial arts along the way, he’s been more focused on developing his skill instead of displaying it up to this point in his MMA career.
Up until now, all five fights under his belt have been carefully chosen pairings. Looking the records of his past opponents, one can certainly surmise that none of them are world beaters like he’s aiming to be. Rather, those past fights were designed to get his feet wet in the cage through a gradual increase in the level of competition.
Consider it dipping your toes in the shallow end of the pool to get acclimated instead of diving straight into the deep end.
Eventually though, everyone’s got to swim out beyond their comfort zone to see exactly how far they can go and that’s exactly what his next fight this Friday Legacy 13 is intended to do for him – serve as his coming out party designed to show the MMA world that he’s a force to be reckoned with by taking on, and beating, his most veteran adversary yet – Peterson – a fighter with a good record who’s been battle-tested and never been finished.
Matt’s looking to do what’s never been done and put him out. Then the whole world will know he’s for real.
Here’s more of his thoughts prior to this Friday’s fight at the Dallas Convention Center and live nationwide on AXS TV.
Interview – Matt “Crowbar” Hobar (Octagon MMA)
Matt, tell us a little bit about your history in combat sports and how you ended up in MMA.
I have been a wrestler since I was four and started Judo at age seven or eight. I stopped Judo in middle school to focus strictly on wrestling. I went on to win state twice and was an All-American twice in high school. I didn’t wrestle in college because I was pretty burned out with the weight cutting and such but then I got sick of not competing so that’s when I started Jiu-Jitsu which got me into MMA.
I cherish the discipline the sport has instilled back in my life. My first two years of college I was lost and felt like life had no purpose. Fighting has given me a purpose again. Now this is my job. If I am going to live off this I am going to have to have an impressive record. With my competitive nature, I hate to lose. I will let my arm break if it keeps me from losing. This fight (vs. Steven Peterson) is important because it will be the spark my career needs. I really want to capitalize on this opportunity.
Let’s take fighting away for a second. How would you describe your life outside of sports?
I am just a normal guy. I like to enjoy life. I play music and I play other sports. I eat like a fat kid when I’m not cutting weight. Most people have this image in their head that fighters are primitive, blood-thirsty, rage filled human beings, well, some are, but I grew up in a loving family and was blessed with great opportunities most people don’t get in life. I have a college degree and got some of the best education available. I attribute these things largely to all my success in combat sports.
What else about you might fans find interesting?
I am a huge animal lover. I wanted to be a zoologist specializing in herpetology (reptiles) for the longest time. I have two cats, a 100 lbs. golden pyrenees, and two snakes; one of them which I got from my teammate Klayton Mai who breeds ball pythons. I still have all my zoo books and reptile books from when I was a kid. I worked at a veterinary clinic for two years and thought about becoming a vet but decided it wasn’t my calling.
So back to this fight at Legacy 13 versus Steven Peterson – How do you feel about the matchup and what have you done to prepare yourself for it?
I feel this is a great matchup for me. I feel comfortable standing or on the ground with Peterson. I know what I need to do.
I’ve done a lot of harsh cardio work through Crossfit. I’ve put in some extensive GI and Nogi work with Carlos Machado and Octavio Couto. And I’ve been through some heavy sparring and have been fine tuning my striking with Sayif Saud and against training partners like Chas Skelly, Ryan Benoit, Klayton Mai, Eli Tamez and the rest of the crew at Octagon. Everyone is so good at Octagon that it just forces you to become tougher and more skilled.
I know it is going to be a brawl, but I want to finish Peterson, he said he was going to finish me which fuels the fire. I know he has never been finished before so I am gunning for that.
Any last words for Steven Peterson before Friday?
Let’s put on an amazing fight and may the best man win.
Anything else you want to add?
I would like to thank my sponsors Southpaws Organic Grill, soldoutsports.com, Nutrishop, Life Enhancement Association for People (LEAP), my coaches, my teammates, my family, and everyone else.