By TXMMA Staff // Photos by Mike Calimbas
Big Spring’s first MMA fighter charging forward despite ups and downs in the sport of MMA
BIG SPRING, TX, July 8, 2014 – The city of Big Spring is a relatively small town, less than 20 miles across even though it is the largest city between Midland and Abilene. It’s a pretty quiet town too. If you dig enough you’ll see its known for a few things, like the location for the opening scene of Quentin Tarantino’s From Dusk Till Dawn and also a location for the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy. Aside from that Big Spring is pretty nondescript but one fighter is looking to change that with his performances in the sport of mixed martial arts.
“I’m the first MMA fighter from this town and I’ve been competing in MMA for over 7 years now,” says Nathan Torres. Also the owner of his own gym located in the town (Warlord MMA), Torres says he got into MMA without any real background in any other sport or martial art. He started training late in the game at the age of 20 but, outside of being a father, he counts it as his life.
“My life is pretty much based on MMA. My job is running my gym and I don’t much outside of that other than try to be the best father I can be. The only real hobby I have is playing Mortal Kombat (and that has to do with fighting too). It’s just the test of the whole thing. I feel myself evolve every time I compete. I feel my experiences make me a better coach and teacher. I want to be successful at it.”
Looking at his record, Nathan knows he has some work in front of him. He’s lost 3 in a row even know he’s put up some game performances despite the numbers. He’s a “kill or be killed” type of fighter and he realized his back is against the wall heading into his next fight, this Saturday at 24/7 Entertainment XV: New Regime.
“I want to prove that hard work beats talent. (Earlier in my career as an amateur) I started fighting in Louisiana and Alabama and was able to get 3 wins in under a minute. Then I started slacking and lost to guys I know aren’t better than me. Now I’m trying to work as hard as I can.I do most of my training with my professor Bruno Bastos in Midland. I realize every fight is important. I’m just ready to get it on and going into this weekend I feel like I’ve never been this ready before.”
“I have changed everything headed into this rematch with Paco Castillo. I have never trained with other pro fighters for any of my previous fights but I’ve stepped it up. I started training with Bruno Bastos this past February. . I have had the opportunity to train with UFC fighters such as TJ Dillishaw and others from Team Alpha Male, and also Johnny Bedford. I got some strength and conditioning in with Paul Buentello who yelled at me during a session when I slowed down and said “this is why you didn’t get a second fight for legacy…” That was a a great motivator. I’ve added weight training to this camp. I even competed in 7 grappling tournaments at expert level placing 1st thru 3rd in all but two. I’ve put in a lot of hard work.”
“I know a lot about Paco Castillo and what he brings to the fight. I respect the hell out of him for taking this rematch with me as opposed to making more money and fighting someone like (UFC vet) Will Campuzano. This is my chance to show I’m a better fighter this time and maybe even set up a trilogy. Once again I hope he is coming in looking to finish me because my plans are exactly that for him, to get that finish.”
Fighter Acknowledgements
Thank you to everyone who continues to support me through these ups and downs. Thanks to Big Spring, TX, Warlord MMA, Bastos BJJ and my main sponsor SJO Services. Come out and watch a great fight this Saturday! – Nathan “Reign” Torres
