Photos by Mike Calimbas (Texas Sports Photographer)
Recent grad and BJJ purple belt Levi Mowles discusses his MMA debut at Belts of Honorius this Saturday
VENUS, TX, June 26, 2013 – Fresh from graduating from Venus High School on the south side of DFW, longtime grappler Levi Mowles (BQuick Jiu-Jitsu) will look to expand his athletic success into the sport of MMA when he competes in the cage for the very first time this Saturday night.
For his debut fight, Mowles will be taking on fellow fighter Albert Martinez (TXAKA) as part of the Belts of Honorius amateur event set for the Eastside Austin Elite complex in downtown Austin, TX.
We recently caught up with him to discuss his upcoming foray into Mixed Martial Arts ahead of the bout.
For all the people out there who don’t know who I am, I’ve competed in BJJ comps since I started and that was five years ago. I’m now a purple belt in BJJ under Brandon Quick and I’ve beat multiple purple, brown, and a few black belts in competitions before so it’s not so much a jump into the sport (of MMA, from grappling). I’ve planned this from the beginning and it’s finally happening.
What’s it like training with Brandon and who else are you working with for this fight?
Training with Brandon is something else ya know, if he sees something in you he’s going to push you to you limits and beyond, but I think that I’m the same way in my life, always pushing and striving to make improvements in myself and the people put myself around, so that’s why I choose and enjoy training with him. As far as extending my training, I’ve really upped the quality of fighters around me, I’m training with UFC guys like Johnny Bedford and Dustin Pague up at F3, and also guys like Derrick Krantz ,and Kevin Aguilar down at Team 515, the best guys in Texas.
Your entire family seems to be supportive about BJJ and MMA. What’s it like in that house with everyone so involved?
My family is amazing, they really have dove into the sport with me and I couldn’t be happier with them right there at my side in everything that I do.
How do you think your grappling experience will help you transition and how far do you plan on going with MMA? Is this just a one-time deal or long term?
I’m confident that my grappling will take me far in the sport but I’m not a one trick pony either. A lot of people don’t know that I’ve also been doing Muay Thai for four years so I don’t think people or my opponent will expect that. This is definitely not a one-time thing. Win, lose, or draw, you will see me in the cage again.
I’m fighting Albert Martinez. All I know is that he is 20 years old, 0-0 like me, and trains at TXAKA in Austin. Besides that I don’t know much about him. I’m just going to go in there on my toes and be ready for anything. If he’s watched any of my grappling videos on YouTube, I’m sure he’s worried about going to the ground with me, but I think he will underestimate my stand up and it might make things interesting on the feet. I’m going to go in comfortable and impose my game.
How do you picture this fight going in your head?
You know I haven’t really thought the fight too much… I mean I’ve pictured it going a thousand ways and every time I see myself coming out with the W, so the biggest thing I think about is the win.
Do you have any last words for Albert before the fight?
To Albert: You better be ready. I’ve dreamed about this for years and when that cage door shuts you’re mine for 9 minutes that night. I hope you last the first three because I’m going to be coming for you the entire time!
What’s next for you after this fight?
After the fight/win, it’s the after party. A lot of my team and friends will be down to watch me so I plan on celebrating with them for their support. After that it’s back to the grindstone and another amateur fight within a couple of months.
Are there any other fights on this card you are looking forward to? Any other last words?
I’m kind of pumped up for the Garrett Scott fight. I’ve seen his jiu-jitsu and love the story behind the guy so that should be a good one, and also the Karen Kovach fight because I was in camp with her up at F3 with Bedford. She’s one tough chick! To all my supporters thank you, to all my haters, keep hating, to Albert, hope you bring you’re a-game, you’ll need it, and to you guys at TXMMA thank you for the interview, and God Bless!