By TXMMA Staff | Photo by Shawn Lord
Nael Chavez balances preparing for his own fight promoting his next event while managing nonprofit efforts
AUSTIN, TX, August 15, 2013 – As founder/coach of the Enlightened Warriors nonprofit program for at-risk youth, a fighter/competitor himself, and now a promoter headed into promoting his second event Nael Chavez has fast become a busy man on the combat sports scene.
He fights this Saturday at Hurst Showdown Championship Night in Hurst, TX and is hosting the Austin Championship amateur MMA event at Austin Eastside Elite (Austin, TX) on September 7th. All the while he’s growing his charity efforts and wanting to provide to more needy families in the Austin area.
We caught up with Nael recently to discuss everything he has going on and how he managing to find time to dedicate to each and every endeavor. Read on and learn more about his efforts here on TXMMA.com.
Interview – Nael Chavez (Enlightened Warriors)
Nael you’re simultaneously heading into your next fight and promoting your next event at the same time. How are you managing both priorities?
I am always training so I’m always ready to fight. As far as my event we picked up new sponsors and are following a winning method but striving to get better. We have 3 female matches again this time so I wanted to do right for the female fighters. We will have ring men and ring girls at this event.
Now you’ve got those two things going on but you’re also doing some new stuff with Enlightened Warriors. Tell us more about that.
Well we want to feed at least 25 families twice month here in Austin so we partnered up with the Capital Food Bank and are in the process of building our food pantry. The new location needs A/C and our operating expenses expanded so we are working on funding this through our fights. The fundraising our program is completely free of charge for the children and we are always at capacity so we’re staying busy.
Is it sure seems like it. Why is this nonprofit important to you and why have you taken up the cause of helping at-risk youth through Mixed Martial Arts?
I am extremely passionate because I visit the juvenile facility and work with precinct 1, PAL program and many programs helping youth at risk. I know MMA can save the lives of youth because I see it every day through our program. My goal is to get our grant approved to fund the Enlightened Warriors Athletics scholarship and help pay for children below poverty to train at any martial arts school as long as they consistently pass their grades and are being great citizens. I am moving to California to work with educators on a code of conduct for at-risk youth in public schools also so I’m very excited about this opportunity.
Is the rest of your family involved in MMA? I’ve seen your son on the mats. What’s that like?
Well he is the love of my life and my buddy, my son Kendrick. He is real good. I taught him everything I could. We both compete at advance divisions but he does way better than me. He’s a more disciplined athlete and he helps me coach the kids too. He really believes in the program. I was 17 when he was born and well he was the best thing that ever happened to me. I respect him and he respect me and honors me. Also my little guy Aldrick is a champion also. He always win gold in the advanced and expert divisions. Mama also trains and helps us coach the kiddos in the program so all of our family loves combat!
What about your own career in MMA, what do you want to achieve?
I intend to finish up my ammy this year fighting at 170 lbs. I walk around at that. I intend to go pro and fight at 155 lbs. and make it to the highest opportunity available and still preach at the “church of compassion” while serving my community benefiting the non-profit and enjoying myself. I love to fight. I am fighting this Friday August 16th in Hurst. I had two opponents bail out so promoter told me to bulk up. Now I got a new opponent that I don’t know anything about other than he is big but I am ready to fight. I’m always ready and it will be war!
Let’s talk about your next event, the Austin Championship. What can you tell our fans about what to expect?
Sept 7th will be a packed and positive energy event. The fights will be all-out exciting. We have the Harley Davidson Virtual Motorcycle and many freebees from our anchor sponsor Onnit, beautiful ring girls and ring men (yes that’s right, ring men!). We will be the first to do that and it will be awesome. Right now we’re close to being sold out and the fight card is beast! All proceeds will help our nonprofit. Also the Girls in Gis nonprofit will have an amazing bake sale at the event also so make sure you visit their booth and help them out.
Are there any matchups you’re personally excited about for the Austin Championshop?
River Warth and Nicole Duffy are two amazing female fighters. They are both strikers and I have met them both and they are awesome! Also Sara Boyd vs. Julia Ottolino will be good. They are both highly-disciplined at their individual sports and I think that’s a recipe for an epic fight. Kevin “Trailblazer” Holland vs. Terrence “Shonuff” Moore – Both guys are coming off wins with one of them being over me. (Kevin beat the crap out of me; He is amazing.) They are fighting for our 170 title and they’re awesome fighters. The entire card is something I am very proud of.
What do you hope to see as the future of Austin MMA?
We intend to be throwing fights every two months at the same location helping build the sport in Austin and helping local fighters. I strongly support other local supporters and promoters too. Austin is huge and there is more than enough for all of us.
Thanks for talking to us as always. Anything else you want to add?
For everyone reading, please check out our website www.enlightenedwarriors.org and help us with your time, energy, donation or prayers. We are a non-profit that helps youth at risk in Austin through MMA and personal empowerment. We appreciate your support!