DALLAS, TX, April 11, 2013 – “This is my job. All my focus and time is put into this sport. I want to get to the top and run along with it as long as I can.” Those are the words of Octagon MMA’s Matt Hobar ahead of his AXS TV main card fight versus fellow DFW resident Nelson Salas this Friday night at Legacy Fighting Championship 19.
A lifelong wrestler and a pro currently with a 6-1 record, the highly-regarded last fought back at Legacy FC 16 this past December, avenging the only loss of his career to Steven Peterson and a blemish on his record only put there by virtue of a freak injury that left his arm dangling at his side after their first fight last August.
“I saw that only loss as a minor setback,” he says about that first loss. Obviously it was an unfortunate situation but never bothered him mentally. And now he’s past it.
“I do not want to let any fighter or injury get in my way of reaching my goals in MMA, especially this fight (with Salas) because it is a title contention fight.
Taking on the undefeated Salas is pivotal – as in a de facto #1 contender match where, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the winner should be placed in a title fight versus Houston’s Angel Huerta – a fighter Hobar’s opponent has already beat.
No matter, that doesn’t bother the “Crowbar” (Hobar) either.
“I feel I improve every fight and I am so much of a different fighter now than I was 2 or 3 years ago. This sport has helped me mature as a person emotionally and spiritually. The discipline that is needed for this keeps me humble and honest with myself. I feel my striking has improved to a high level. In my first few amateur and pro fights I had little to no striking and relied heavily on my wrestling. Now I use my wrestling only when I need it and prefer to stand, just the opposite of when I started.”
“I like this match up. Salas is very good all-around fighter but I feel he doesn’t have one particular discipline he is extremely good at. I am the veteran wrestler and the bigger fighter with the longer reach too which I will be looking to use against him. I am looking to put Salas away quick. I want to finish this fight, on the ground or standing, I do not care. Then I want to fight for the bantamweight belt in Legacy. I hope to fight Angel Huerta for the belt after this. That’s the plan.”
“My teammate Geo Pacariu (who is also fighting at LFC 19 vs. the aforementioned S. Peterson) and I have been training a lot together. We did a little trade off this camp. I helped him with his wrestling and he helped me with my striking. If I can stand and strike with him I know I can do it with the best in MMA. I’ve also I have been working my cardio extensively with former Ohio state and North Carolina wrestler Keegan Mueller. I know Salas has never fought a full fifteen minutes before so I am definitely going to test his gas tank.”
“This is my life and my job, there is no ill-will or evil intentions, but I will not let anyone get in the way of me being successful.”
