Legacy 14 Interview – Chris “Celtic Tiger” Reed poised to continue career resurgence

Chris Reed | photo: Jonathan Irvin, Enigma Fotos

CLEAR LAKE, TX, September 3, 2012 – At the age of 43, Houston MMA veteran Chris “The Celtic Tiger” Reed is experiencing a career resurgence of sorts. He recently came back after a three-year hiatus from MMA to score a first-round TKO victory at IXFA 8 this past July.

Now despite other professional goals outside the soport that include running for political office and continuing on as City Manager for the Southeast Harris County city of Nassau Bay, Reed will look to continue on with his passion of competing inside the cage when he steps into the Legacy Fighting Championship cage for the very first time this September 14^th against Yonny Osuna.

We recently caught up with the ever-popular real-life hero to discuss his upcoming fight and what it means for him to continue competing after all these years.

Legacy 14 Interview – Chris “Celtic Tiger” Reed

First of all congrats on your comeback week at IXFA this past July, Chris! Take us back to how this all started and where you are now in the sport of MMA.

I have wrestled all of my life, but I got into the fight game late I was in my early 30’s. I have always been a fan of MMA and one day I was watching it with my wife and said, you know, I think I could do that. Her response was, so why don’t you do it then. So that’s where it all began. My family supports me 100% which is important in this game with the time commitment required to train and such. Now I’m just an old man having fun. Really I don’t have any real aspirations of moving up to bigger things. I just enjoy the sport and the people involved.

I know you’re pretty busy outside of the sport, and definitely more busy than most. Tell us a little bit about life outside the cage.

My wife and I just celebrated our 22nd anniversary. I have 3 children and the oldest just graduated high school. I am the City Manager for Nassau Bay, retired as the City Manager of League City. I stay involved in many local nonprofit groups and our School District. At some point in the future I plan to run for political office also.

Take us back through your last fight at IXFA 8. How did it go?

I fought a guy named Jeremy McCombs a purple belt out of Denton BJJ. He’s a big strong 205 pounder. In fact I took a close look at the scales just to make sure! My game plan going in was to keep it standing but he quickly went in for a clinch and was able to get double under hooks. In that position I really had no way out but to throw a lateral drop, which I would advise anyone NOT to do against someone that has 3 inches against them. It’s a risky move and I knew I would end up in side or he would probably be in full mount. I got lucky and my timing was perfect and hit it. When he I was in half guard I was trying to get under hook on his far arm and I could hear Chad Cook screaming to do it too, but he wasn’t going to let that happen. He managed to escape but didn’t stand so I keep pressure on his head and neck and threw strikes until the referee called it. I tried celebrating by trying to climb the cage. I did make it but I won’t do that again.

Are there any advantages that come with all the years you have under your belt?

Oh mentally without a doubt, that’s the one advantage that age gives us. I don’t get caught up in the prefight hype, nervousness, etc. I have a pretty stable life which helps me to concentrate and game plan better. I feel like age has helped me to listen better during the fight to my coaches and to think during the fight instead of having tunnel vision.

Aside from work and this resurgence you’re in the midst of as a fighter, what else don’t people know about you?

That’s difficult because I am an open book so people pretty much know me. But I would have to say that I have a domestic side too, I enjoy cooking and gardening and I am an animal lover, I have two dogs, two cats and a hamster (yea I know, a hamster, and no Burmaster you can’t borrow it).

One thing you may find funny, or weird though… After I win a fight I always feel terrible for my opponent. I know how hard they work too, and the sacrifices they make and it’s just a shame one of us has to lose. This is probably why I stay in contact with just about every opponent I have ever had.

Tell us about your upcoming fight at Legacy FC 14 and how you feel about it. You had your opponent change recently right?

Yeah. Originally I was matched up with Jermaine Anugwom but he was injured in training camp. As classy as they are, Legacy re-matched me within an hour and now I’m fighting Yonny Osuna. I don’t know much about him except other than that he’s a big 205 that likes to bang. I like that matchup. I want to bang too!

Are you training differently for this fight than you used to in the past or has the routine pretty much stayed the same?

Preparations are different at my age. My camps aren’t as long so I don’t risk injury but I train cardio primarily with Cross Fit daily. This fight will be nice because I’m just coming off a fight so I didn’t take a break in my cardio training I’m ready to do 5 x 5 if needed.

So how does this fight play out? What should the fans expect?

I have a feeling this will be a bloody one. We have a similar style and size so it will come down to who can take the punishment. I’ve got an advantage here because I like that I like the excitement of the crowd and a good fight. My cardio is top notch for this fight and I’m prepared to push it for 3 rounds. I’ll go 100% just like always and don’t see him doing that.

Any last words for Mr. Osuna?

To have a safe training camp! Oh and make sure he gets a Mouth Guard from Proformance.

What’s next for you after this fight? Are you going to keep it going or should we be prepared to vote instead?

Nothing set in stone, I think I’ll take it one day at a time and see what opportunities come up.

I would like to thank Mick (Maynard) for the opportunity and Ragan (McDaniel) for everything he’s done for me. I also would like to thank everyone for the support especially those who bought tickets because I want to sell that place out with Celtic Tiger Fans!