By TXMMA Staff | Photos by Mike Calimbas Photography
EW MMA’s Austin Championship 2013 set for this Saturday; Nael Chavez looking to provide prospect showcase
AUSTIN, TX, September 3, 2013 – The EW Amateur MMA produced Austin Championship 2013 event is fast approaching with the action set to take place this Saturday at the Eastside Austin Elite facility at 507 Calles St. in East Austin just outside of downtown. With this being Nael Chavez and crew’s second Austin MMA event, one of his main goals is to use his promotion as a vehicle to prepare up-and-coming talent serious about mixed martial arts.
One such prospect is a young woman by the name of Julia Ottolino. Also known by the nickname of “Chicago,” the recent Austin transplant from… that’s right, you guessed it, Chicago is a lifetime athlete who recently got turned on to mixed martial arts, BJJ and submission grappling.
With less than six months of training under her belt she has already performed admirably in competition, beating a class of ladies with more experience than her at the recent 2013 Europa Supershow. Now she’s looking to take it to the next, first level in MMA as well with her fight against fellow debut fighter Sarah Michelle Boyd at Austin Championship 213 this Saturday.
With the athletic background of both women this should be one of the more anticipated bouts of the evening.
We recently caught up with Julia “Chicago” Ottolino to discuss the bout and also gain some more insight on her background. Read on and learn more about this young fighter.
TXMMA Pre-Fight Interview – Julia Ottolino (Austin Championship 2013)
I’ve been an athlete my whole life. I have always been drawn to train, learning new skills, and competing. In High School I played volleyball, basketball, softball, and ran cross country. Actually, I only started cross country because the coach requested me to compete with the team when I didn’t have conflicting volleyball games. I like the fact that I can say I was a four sport athlete my sophomore year of high school. In college, I played softball and basketball. I will always ALWAYS be passionate about those two. I played them my whole life.
When it comes to my MMA background, it really is more of a present than a background. I’m a young grasshopper. Right around 2012 Thanksgiving, I decided that I wanted to start training Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. I called some gyms and soon decided it would be best to continue working as much as I could and wait to join a gym when I moved to Texas. So, I have only been training Jiu Jitsu for 5 ½ months, and my Muay Thai training started about 3 months ago. Let me tell you, I’m addicted for life. It’s the best decision that I have ever made.
You’re not originally from Texas right? What was it like up north and why did you end up moving here? How do you like it so far?
You are correct. I am not originally from Texas. I am from Chi(k)cago. I have to put that ‘k’ in; there’s no “car” in Chicago. J Living up there was great. After I took some time off of school, I worked as a Pharmacy Technician, Nanny, and a Cocktail waitress. I played on recreational basketball and softball teams, to keep myself athletically engaged – and I (of course) still hit the gym often. The downtown life is vast and diverse. The food is amazing. I’m very very picky about my pizza, hotdogs, Italian beefs, Italian sausage, and hot dogs. Texas has bomb BBQ, Texmex, and they perfect slow cooked meat – but lessons need to be taken on the list above. I say this with concern and love …love for food.
The main reason I moved down here all surrounds my schooling. I was living on my own with roommates, and that was feasible because I worked multiple jobs. Once I let the economy settle a little bit, I was able to pinpoint what degree I wanted to concentrate on. If I was to go back to school full time, then I had to move back in with either my mother or my father. I love my father to death; he is epitomized by Lynyrd Skynyrd’s song: “Simple Man.” He is currently taking care of my Nana, and working hard with under his newly launched construction company. Everything involved, I decided the best choice was to move down to ATX with my Mother and Step Father. I will be getting my Bachelors from Texas state, after gaining residency schooling expenses are very reasonable, weather is amazing, economy is booming, and I love how active and healthy the city is. There are positives all around. I’m loving it much more than I thought I ever would.
So you’re training at John’s Gym in Austin? What’s that like?
I’m truly glad that I have found this gym. Everyone is so very supportive, and welcoming. I felt like I fit in right away. Everyone sticks together as a unit. It’s a little family. I spend so much of my day there, I believe that is how it is supposed to be. I would definitely like to add that I am going about my training in a manner where I am following my current trainers. Samy Say is my stand up coach, and he resides at John’s Gym. Rodrigo Cabral is about to launch his own gym, Austin Fight Factory. I will be following him over there to continue my ground training, and MMA specific training. John’s gym has been very supportive of my decision, and agree that I am doing the right thing. So I am ecstatic that I have these wonderful people at John’s Gym who are behind me, and who have my best interest in their mind. I am also excited to develop a new network with the talent that Rodrigo will attract to his new gym. I really love meeting new people, making new connections, and observing new perspectives. All those things help a person to grow.
Thank you. I was pleasantly surprised. I do believe that BJJ is my strong suit. I have had extra time training in it, and I am hoping that I will get both my stand up game and ground game on an even keel one day. I like to think I am a quick learner, so I believe I can accomplish this goal one day.
What’s life like outside the cage? Any other priorities or hobbies or is it just school for you?
I like to joke around and tell people that I am chronically over scheduled, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I am always engaged in something –well, multiple things. Over the summer, I was able to be a little social butterfly. However, school is just starting up for me, so that will become my main priority. I also work weekends doing security at Club Rio, which is the new rooftop spot on 6th street downtown. Otherwise, my free time will be spent training. I have always looked at my sports training as my social outlet. You’re never working when you are passionate about something, right?
What do you know about your upcoming opponent Sarah Boyd?
I have only heard good things about her. I know that she has earned herself a blue belt, and that she has some really good girls that she is training stand up with. I know that she is coming out of a strong gym as well, Genesis. I’m excited about our match up, and to also shake her hand to officially meet her.
Honestly, I am just focusing on bettering my skills. I have committed to going hard every day. It’s very hard for me to take a day off. Sometimes my trainer, Samy Say, has to remind me that it is beneficial to rest my body. I think my work ethic is going to help me to continue to excel my level, and that is the best thing that I can do. I just try to be a good student, and really absorb what my trainers and those more experienced than me are telling me. I think the only thing that I have to change about my training is that I literally have to log everything that I am taking into my body. I have never had to cut weight before, so I am trying to do it right. Counting calories and eating clean takes A LOT of self-control.
What are some of your predictions for this fight?
I’m superstitious. I don’t like to talk about “what-ifs”. All I know is that I am doing what I can to be as ready as I can. I’m assuming Sarah is doing very much the same. Neither one of us want to lose. I predict that we will be a good match up.
As for myself, I will always showcase my best. I never slack when I am getting ready to compete. Every time I fight, people will see that I have approached a new level. I’m going to build something out of this. If people are watching this first fight of mine, then they will see me at my first stage, and they won’t be disappointed.
What are some of your future plans in Texas MMA? Are you planning on fighting regularly?
I plan to take my career slow. Yes I will take more fights. However, I won’t during my school year. However, I will do BJJ competitions, and down the line I want to be able to also do boxing and/or Muay Thai matches. I train for peace of mind, and I fight because I want to test my skills. I’m competitive. Anyone that has been an athlete their whole life can tell you that it is just something that is engrained in you.
Last pre-fight words for Sarah Boyd. Anything you want to say before Saturday?
Sure… Are you 21? If so let’s get a beer afterwards. Lol… seriously.