IRVING, TX, May 28, 2012 – We’re less than a week away from MMA action in the DFW area with XKO 15 set to take place this Saturday, June 2nd at The Gym in Arlington. The card features some great matchups including UFC veteran Jake Rosholt taking on Matt Thompson and more.
We’ll profile several of this weekend’s fighters and matchups here on TXMMA.com.
Next up is Joseph Salas, a 29 year old fighter who recently returned to his home state of Texas after a two year sting in California honing his skills with Team Oyama in preparation for a long career in professional mixed martial arts.
Joseph already has plenty of experience in the sport with 8 amateur fights completed from 2007-2009 before making his pro debut in January 2011. He’s 0-1 now but will be looking to turn that around after an extensive period away from the sport against Casey Hudson – another fighter also looking for his first pro win at XKO 15.
Here’s what “The Black Rooster” had to say about his upcoming bout this Saturday and his background as a fighter leading up to this fight.
XKO 15 Interview – Joseph “The Black Rooster” Salas
Joseph, tell us a little bit about your background so the fans can get to know you a littler better.
I recently moved back to Texas from California where i had spent about two years training full time to jump into a pro career in MMA. Since my return I took time off to spend with my family and especially my son who I was away from for two years while I was out of state. Since my last fight almost a year ago I’ve caught up on lost time with my son and settled back into the Dallas area. Now that everything is in order for me in that aspect of my life I am able to focus once again on fighting.
What is your occupation outside MMA?
Since moving back to Texas I’ve picked back up with the family business as an arborist, which works out well for me since I get the freedom of taking time off of work to prepare for fights and things of that nature without worrying about job security. Besides work and training the rest of my time is spent with my son Erik.
What’s your source of motivation as a fighter?
My source of motivation heading into this fight would definitely be just the fight itself. For me the fight itself has always been my motivation. I fight because I love it… simple as that.
What’s the toughest thing you have to deal with in order to be the best fighter you can be?
The toughest thing for me is missing time with friends and family. As a fighter with a 9-5 all of my time goes to work and the gym. If I’m lucky I get home in time to spend a little time with my son before he has to go to bed.
How are you feeling heading into this fight in particular?
I’m feeling great heading into this fight. My conditioning is right where it needs to be at this point. Right now it’s more about working out the details and cleaning up my technique until fight night. My schedule is pretty typical when it comes to working a normal job and training for a fight. Working during the day and hitting training hard in the evening. I’ve also been taking a day or two off of work to hit some two-a-days.
Aside from training, do you follow a specific diet as a fighter?
I’m feeling pretty lucky that my diet isn’t that harsh in comparison to other fighters I know. Since I compete at a weight class not too far off my walk around weight. My diet consists of healthy foods like fruits and veggies, which I enjoy eating on a regular basis anyways. Without any need to starve myself I usually walk around contempt with my food intake.
What’s the best advice you’ve given or been given when it comes to MMA?
The best advice I’ve received was given to me by a man who took me under his wing and taught me most of what I know about fighting in general. As an amateur I had a pretty good run and so after about my 3rd championship title win I received advice from Coach James Pham that I’ve held close and will hold close until the day I no longer have any fight in me. I think at this point it was becoming obvious I was in the fight game for the long run. His advice to me was “Fighting, it’s a Long, Lonely and Humbling road.” In other words he was telling me that it would be a long, hard process to get to where we all want to be in fighting, which is the top. “Lonely” because as a fighter you are forced to miss out on going out, having fun with friends and even missing out on spending time with family. As a fighter your first priority is preparing for war. Just the other day I missed my son’s first little league baseball win because I was at the gym preparing for my upcoming XKO fight. As a fighter you are forced to live humble. As an amateur fighter you are paid nothing and starting out as a pro you are paid a little more than nothing. So as a dedicated full time fighter you must learn to live a humble existence.
What’s your opinion on your opponent Casey Hudson? Any predictions?
I respect him for the simple fact that he is willing to lay it all on the line and step in the cage with me. Really the opponent didn’t matter to me. I feel I match up well with any fighter in the area in my division. If the Hulk was in my division I would take that fight with no hesitation as well.
The fight between Casey and I plays out with him trying desperately to get me on my back and me defending it to put my hands on him. That’s usually how fights go when you put a wrestler against a striker. The prediction on this fight is simple. Me having my hand raised at the end.
Any last words or anybody you want to thank before fight night?
I would like to thank everyone who has ever taken even a single second to teach or help me work the techniques that make up my fight game. Also a huge thank you to my family. They don’t complain about my absence and are always there at the end of the day, win or lose to show me love and support.