Paulina Granados prepares for pro MMA debut this Saturday at Rocks Xtreme MMA 2

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, March 18, 2013 – The last time we saw Paulina “FireFox” Granados of American Revolution in Corpus Christi she had traveled all the way to Houston to fight Stephanie Alba for the Cage Combat 110 lbs. amateur title. After a five-round war she won that belt to cap off her amateur career with an undefeated 4-0 record. Now this Saturday night the 25 year old will take the next step in her evolution as she turns pro to fight Sara Lagerstrom at Rock Balboa’s Rocks Xtreme MMA 2.

We recently caught up with the Corpus Christi native to discuss this fight and her decision to turn pro.

Rocks Xtreme MMA 2 Pre-Fight Interview – Paulina Granados (American Revolution)

Paulina congrats on your big move to go PRO starting at Rock’s Xtreme MMA 2. What led to this decision? Is it just the right time? How do you feel as a fighter right now?

I feel like I have grown so much as a fighter and as a person these past 4 years. My confidence has grown and I finally feel like I got my groove inside the cage. As a fighter I am the FireFox, my alter ego. <laughs> I am a confident, go getter, and I put a lot of time into this sport. I rarely go out anymore so I feel like I’ve matured a lot more with this sport. I am more disciplined than I have ever been in my whole life. My mom and dad are proud. I’m not quite the wild child I used to be.

Now I’m at the point where I’m like ok, time to get serious and start making that money. I plan on making a career out of this and doing it full time. Whoever is across the cage from me is trying to take my grocery money and ain’t nobody got time fo’ that! I’m actually trying to capture the eyes of Shannon Knapp this year – the promoter for Invicta Fighting Championships. After this fight I am going out to Arizona to train at MMALab with my friend Maria Magana to clean up some stuff and experience something new before my upcoming fight with Legacy May 31 in Corpus Christi. It’s going to be a good year?

So Why did you take your first fight with Rock? Why this show in particular for your pro debut?

I decided to take this fight because nobody says no to fighting in their hometown! Rocks Xtreme MMA 2 is going to feature a lot of local pro fighters including my teammates Chris Pecero and Ptrick Ybarra. It’s going to be an honor to fight in the same cage as them on the same night. It’s going to be the first of many times I hope!

Tell us more about your team over at American Revolution.

My teammates and my coach influence me so much. I see how hard they work every day and that’s what keeps me going in and outside of the gym. I train at American Revolution 6-7 days a week for 4+ hours a day. Then 3 days a week I go do my strength & conditioning with my bad ass strength and conditioning coach Michael Barerra out at Pro Performance Training Center. He really knows how to kill me, this guy is crazy. <laughs>

Who are you fighting on Saturday and how do you feel about the matchup?

I am fighting Sara Lagerstrom out of Washington. I feel good about the matchup. She’s going to be a tough girl who comes to fight so it will be fun night for me and the crowd watching!

Any predictions or final words for Sarah before the fight?

I never know what going to do but I do plan on changing my style up a bit and that’s all I’m going to say for now. I plan on kicking your ass crazy style Sara but I hope I can also show you around Corpus Christi after the fight! <laughs>

Any last words?

I want to give a big air hug to all of my sponsors! Results Personal Training, Pro Performance Training Center, Angie Trejo out at Farmers Insurance, Sergio Olivares and Associates, Rocks Discount Vitamins, Furious Brand, Mikey & Krystal’s Bakery, TXFight Magazine, Armadillo Sport Chiropractic, Berkeley Caplan Laser Center, & XS Ultra Lounge. I also want to give a big shout out to my team out at American Revolution. Y’all are so awesome, I love y’all like brothers! Thank you for all that you boys do for me and put up with me. Rock Balboa thank you so much for letting me fight for you! Last but not least thank you Mike for the interview. God Bless!