Lester Batres on hard work and preparing for Jon “Hulk” Harris fight at Legacy FC 14

Houston MMA fighter Lester Batres seems to finally be turning the corner in his MMA career.

An adrenaline junkie by nature, he’s always thought MMA was a perfect complement to his personality. He started off strong at the amateur level with two straight wins before four out his next five fights, albeit to tough competition including Evan Cutts in his pro debut in April 2011.

After that bout he took a year off from active competition to work on his game and it’s showed.

Batres has gone on to win his next two fights including his most recent one at Legacy Fighting Championship 12 this past July, a dominant victory by submission over Daniel Rodriguez.

“I’m putting in hard work at the gym and focusing on all my weaknesses,” Lester says about what’s changed. He feels that focus has been the catalyst towards consistency for him and something he’s going to continue to do.

“That last fight (LFC 12) was on Friday and I was at the gym that next Tuesday getting ready for the next one. I love this sport, so it makes it easy for me to get right back to having fun at the gym. I know this game evolves every day. It’s what makes it interesting. I’ve grown every day since I started in this art that we call MMA. I’m a sick individual when it comes to training. I believe in drilling to allow my techniques to grow and then I like to train to the point where I almost past out, that’s how I know I can’t be broken during a fight.”

He’ll face his latest test, potentially his toughest one and certainly the most visible when he takes on Jonathan “Hulk” Harris on the Legacy Fighting Championship 14 main card slated for AXS TV next Friday, September 14^th.

He doesn’t plan on breaking despite the enormity of the situation

“I find it funny how guys try to intimidate me by starring me down from across the cage, as if that really works. My approach is different, I enjoy the moment and just clear my head to prepare myself for the rumble am about to get in, and visualize myself winning. So in other words, my energy is spent on me not on the guy that wants to chop my head off. After all, this is my moment not his.”

“I don’t him (Harris) personally but I do know he’s a game opponent and he throws his punches with power,” says Lester about his opponent. “I’m alright with that. I know I have the tools to win this fight. I see this being an action-packed, fast paced fight. It will be a real treat for the fans.”

Fighter Acknowledgements

I would like to thank god for allowing me to live the life I live and for putting all those special people in my life that give me the strength to get up every morning, even though my body is usually sore. Thanks to my beautiful wife and children, and all my friends. Thanks to Paradigm and all my coaches and team mates over there Mike Altman, Rexroad, Mike B., Melancon, Igor Santos and everyone else. Also 4oz. for all the help (Kru Bobby, Chico, Jeremy) and also Tooke’s with Andrew Craig and everyone else over there. Thanks to my great friends with amazing BJJ, the Garcia Brothers. Also thanks to Mick for the great opportunities. Legacy is awesome and they have helped make my dreams come true. And thanks to you Mr. Calimbas for taking in interest in sharing my story and many others with the world. I love my city H-TOWN! – Lester Batres