By Felix Rodriguez, Staff Writer
Bryan / College Station local Randy McCullough hopeful for success in EAC 6 title fight this Saturday at The Brazos Center
COLLEGE STATION, TX, August 28, 2013 – Randy McCullough (Amateur, 4-4) is fighting for a lot of things at CDM’s Elite Amateur Combat 6. The Bryan, Texas native will be fighting for the opportunity to one day provide for his family through MMA, he’s fighting for a bantam weight title, he’s fighting to keep a three fight win streak with three consecutive finishes going and, most important of all, he’s fighting because this is his passion and every time he wins again he gets to keep telling his doubters that he told them so.
TXMMA caught up with McCullough while he was getting ready for his August 31 co main event fight against Jose Solis and discussed his fight preparations, life’s challenges and the importance of having heart in MMA. Here is what he had to say:
TXMMA Interview – Randy McCullough (EAC 6)
TXMMA: Thanks for talking to us, Randy. Are you a full time fighter or do you do something else as well?
RM: Man I wish I could train all day but no I have a day job as a mover for XD Moving Solutions.
TXMMA: What is the hardest part about balancing your job/training family life?
RM: It’s a real struggle man. I have to choose a job that works for my training schedule and that costs me money. It’s a hard life for a fighter especially when you’re providing for a wife and two kids with one on the way. But it motivates me to work harder and my family is very supportive so that helps ALOT
TXMMA: Where do you train now, who has been getting you ready this fight camp?
RM: Im training at the best gym in the B/CS [Bryan/College Station area], Windy Sport & Fitness with my Coaches Jermaine Anugwom And Bobby Powers. These guys are like family and do so much for me I really cant thank them enough.
TXMMA: You were originally supposed to fight Tony Orozco for the bantamweight title, but your opponent got switched, what happened with tony and is the change in opponent affecting how you’ve prepared for this fight?
RM: My next fight is Aug.31 for CDM EAC 6 where I’ll be facing Jose Solis for the bantamweight title. Tony is out with an ankle Injury. I really wanted that fight because we’ve already fought and I lost a split decision. I felt like I did more in that fight and I got robbed and this was my chance at redemption but that’s what happens when you leave it to the judges. My training hasn’t changed I’m still training hard, I’m training for a title fight.
TXMMA: What can you tell us about your opponent and the game plan you have in store for him?
RM: I really don’t know much about him and I don’t go into a fight with a real game plan because once I get punched all that goes out the window. I go there adapt and overcome and get the W that’s my gameplan.
TXMMA: Are you nervous about being in the co-main event and what does winning this belt mean for you?
RM: Winning this mean a lot to me because it symbolizes all the hard work I put in and to say I wasn’t a little nervous would be a flat out lie lol.
TXMMA: Let’s talk about your progression as a mixed martial artist, what changed between the first half of your career where you went 1-3 to the second half where you are on this current win streak with all finishes?
RM: My training, my gym, my work-ethic , everything. I was at a Martial Arts gym and was the only MMA fighter fighting out of it and had no Idea what I was doing Now I’ve been training at Windy for two years and they broke me down and rebuilt me and its been nothing but good for me. Now I finish fights.
TXMMA: How long have you been training in MMA and what is your strongest weapon come fight time?
RM: I’ve been training for about three years now and Id say my biggest weapon is heart. It’s hard to beat someone who refuses to quit.
TXMMA: You obviously have a ton of heart and believed in yourself enough to keep fighting through the initial rough patch, how did you stay mentally strong enough to stay fighting and enjoying your current success?
RM: My family, my coaches and myself. I’m hard headed and stubborn as shit so I don’t give up too easy at anything but having support from my family and coaches gave me that extra push.
TXMMA: If you could send a message to your opponent what would it be?
RM: Keep those hands up….
TXMMA: If you win this belt do you plan on sticking around and defending it for a bit or are you planning to turn pro soon?
RM: I’m not sure yet I wanna get paid to do this, but I also wanna be fully prepared to make the transition…. We will see I haven’t been offered anything yet so I don’t know.
TXMMA: Where do you see yourself fight wise in 2 years?
RM: In two years I see myself fighting as a pro for a solid Promotion like Legacy with a winning record still training my ass off.
TXMMA: Would you like to thank your sponsors or anyone else?
RM: Yeah, I wanna thank Jermaine Anugwom and Bobby Powers for working with me, Everybody at Windy Sport & Fitness, My family and friends for all the support they show, I also wanna give a huge shout out to all my sponsors: Man’s Sports and Memorabilia, Smoken Joes, Boondocks Café, Aggieland painting, and XD Moving Solutions and you good sir for the interview!