More recently as far as his own career, Mahon started competing in MMA again in 2011 – winning a decision against David Armas. He hasn’t stopped since then and is now on a three-fight winning streak headed into his March 30th fight against Nate Garza. It’s the 2nd of what he hopes to be several successful fights in 2013 in between coaching and mentoring his students at the IV.
We recently caught up with Jeremy to talk about the upcoming fight in Galveston and what else is on his mind headed into the bout.
‘Big Dawg: Best of Both Worlds’ Pre-Fight Interview – Jeremy Mahon (4OZ Fight Club)
Jeremy I know you’ve around for some time. Give us a quick summary of who you are as a fighter and person at this point of your career.
Experienced and driven. Professionally, this will be my 8th pro fight but I have been around a long time, been competing since 2005 and cornered around 5oo fights, I have seen what it takes to win at the highest level and what it takes to get there. I don’t have much longer as a competitor, I’m 33 years old, and so I’m going to get a last few in while I still can. I fought in late January and now I’m fighting here at the end of March. I’d like to get one more in before the end of 2013. I think 3 fights in a year is about all my body can hold up for.
Okay so at this point you’re preparing for a fight while also acting as a coach at 4OZ you’re balancing two worlds. How do you relate the two?
As a coach, it’s all about the greater good of the team, of 4oz. As a fighter, you have to be selfish, because in the end it’s all about you. I have had to take a step back as a coach, so that I can focus all my efforts into fighting right now. If you aren’t 100% focused as a fighter, you are not only sure to lose, but you can get hurt in the process. After this fight, I’ll switch hats and be back coaching and mentoring our younger fighters.
Aside from that what’s life like at home? Any other priorities?
I have two daughters that are the world to me and I want to give them the best lives possible, and to be a father and fighter that they can be proud of.
As a veteran fighter, if I asked you to pick a person you would count as your “greatest influence,” who would that be?
Adam Lynn has been one of my greatest influences, as a man and as a fighter. He was my squad leader in the Marine Corps and showed me everything I know about war-fighting. He has fought some of the toughest guys all around the world. Win or lose, he never lays down for them (opponents) and they are always in for a fight. Adam is also a coach at Subfighter MMA in Southern California. We share the same mentality, discipline and dedication. His influence over me is great.
So your last fight was for the same promoters (Big Dawg Promotions) right? How did that fight with Ali Lieiwi go? What have you been doing since then?
Ali was tough, skilled and heavy handed. It was a good scrap, but at the end of it, I had my hand raised with a second round TKO and we were given fight of the night. I think that fight showed a lot about me and what kind of fighter I am. I was hurt and put down twice with punches and had the ligaments in my ankle torn in a leglock but I never stopped attacking until I was able to get the finish. I haven’t had much time off from that fight to this one so it just feels like one long training camp. I have been healing my injuries, working my conditioning and refining my techniques.
What’s the story on this card? How and why did you decide to fight for them again?
Timing. I had just fought and was already in great shape, so it was just about healing some of the injuries and correcting some of the mistakes I had made. This isn’t going to be some huge event, but that doesn’t bother me, I just like to fight. It doesn’t matter to me who all is watching or how many the venue holds, a fight is a fight. I’m excited about competing in the ring, I was a big fan of Pride, so i have always wanted to compete MMA in a ring and since this card is half boxing and half MMA, I will get that opportunity.
Who are you fighting and how do you feel about the matchup?
I’m fighting Nate Garza. It’s an interesting matchup because we know each other pretty well. I wouldn’t go as far as to say we are buddies or anything like that, but we have trained and sparred together more than once. I feel like I could beat him based on what I have seen, and he obviously feels the same way about me. Nate has really good boxing, he is very technical with the fact that the fight is in a ring, opposed to a cage, and he will most likely bring out the best in his boxing. That being said, I am the better MMA fighter. I have a Muay Thai background, where I too have also fought in a ring, not to mention I am a brown belt in Jiu-Jitsu, and train wrestling for MMA almost daily with Daniel Pineda and his brother, Jose Santibanez.
What else can you tell us about your preparations for this one at 4OZ? Does it help that there are plenty of other active fighters with fights coming up to work with?
Training has gone well for this camp. We have a lot of guys and females training for upcoming fights, so like half of 4oz is in camp right now. There is always someone to get in some good work with, so I’m taking advantage of that. I’m getting in two or three quality training sessions a day. I had to take some time to heal a few injuries so that allowed me to focus on my strength and conditioning as opposed to just sparring hard every day. I am ready. I have never been so ready.
How do you see this fight playing out? Any predictions?
I see the fight going however I want it to go. I only know one direction, and that is straight forward. I’m going to engage him with all of my weapons from the time the bell rings until the referee pulls me off and raises my hand in victory.
Anything to say to Nate prior to the fight?
I’m not much for shit talking or last words. Nate is a game opponent and so am I, at the end of the day we are two guys doing battle. He is going to bring it and so am I. I guess I’d just sincerely wish him good luck and tell him that i hope the best Nate Garza shows up that night because he is going to get the best Jeremy Mahon. I am ready for a W4R.
What’s next for you after this fight? Back to coaching right?
I plan on letting my body heal up again Sunday and then returning to my training. This is what i do, there is no off season, and there is no taking time off. I’ll be back in the gym grinding on Monday. I will shift my focus back to coaching and helping our pack of fighters improve their skills and win fights. Whether it’s an amateur making their debut on the local circuit, or helping Pit get ready for a UFC bout. To me they are one and the same, part of the whole team, the 4oz Army.
Any last words Jeremy?
I would like to thank my wife Amanda and my girls, Sophia and Olivia for standing by me and supporting this lifestyle, it isn’t easy for the family and i certainly appreciate it. to my sponsors Barks 5th Ave, Mighty Oaks, Airrosti Rehab centers, THB, Northwest Orthopedics, My Fight Shop, Alternative Medical Remedies, So-South , Team B3 sports Management and also to my gym and team, 4oz Fight Club. Kru Bob Perez, Classy Grappler, Jayson Rogers, Pit, Machine Gun, Adrian, AJ, and all of my training partners. We couldn’t be what we are without each other.