Fighter Focus: Getting to Know Rod Montoya

Fighter Focus: Getting to Know Rod Montoya
 
MCC newcomer, Rod Montoya is only two weeks out from one of the toughest tests of his mixed martial arts career as he prepares to step in the cage with former MCC Lightweight Champion, Teddy “Red” Worthington.  Between these two warriors, there’s nearly a hundred fights!  We caught up with Montoya as he is nearing the end of his training camp.
 
MCC:  First off, you have quite an interesting nickname.  Tell the fight fans what it is your and where did it come from?
RM:  “The Mexicutioner” One of my friends came up with it after my first MMA fight.  I thought it was pretty cool too.

MCC:  You are an experienced veteran.  What is your MMA record?
RM:  Yeah, I’ve had quite a few battles, for sure.  My professional record is 17-10, and my amateur record is 9-2.  I’ve fought all over, but most people know me from my fight with Damacio Page which was featured on the Tapout reality show.

MCC:  When and why did you start training?
RM:  Well, I started wrestling in fifth grade, and I wrestled all throughout high school.  I guess I was not satisfied with my overall wrestling career when it ended.  I felt like I needed to do something else to satisfy my competitive edge!  I’ve loved boxing all my life, and I started boxing as an amateur while I was in college in Wyoming, then came back to Iowa after graduating.  That’s when I realized MMA was what I wanted to do.  It had everything I loved doing all in one; wrestling, boxing, etc.  I started training for my first MMA fight in May of 2005. I started training all over Southeast Iowa and anywhere I could get a workout in.
MCC:  So, your first MMA fight was back in 2005?
RM: Yeah.  My first fight was in June of 2005.  It was held at a weekly amateur show called Midwest Kings of the Ring in Davenport, IA.  I actually lost a three round decision which could have been the bloodiest fight I’ve ever been in.  Right then,  I fell in love with MMA!

MCC:  Are you from Iowa?
RM: No.  I was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and I lived in California until I was tean years old.  I moved to Iowa and spent the rest of my life growing up in a Columbus Junction, a small Southeastern town where wrestling and winning was all that we had to do!

MCC:  Does your family have any history in boxing or wrestling?
RM:  No, not at all.  Something even crazier!  I come from a rodeo background so wrestling, boxing, and MMA was a new thing for me.  And, probably safer too!

MCC:  With your strong wrestling background, is that the style you like to use in your fights?
RM: Being a wrestler, I like to use that as my main tool, but also my ground game has transitioned well into MMA. I’m also not afraid to stand up and bang and use my stand up skills too, but ground and pound is my favorite.  I have a huge heart, a lot of power in my right hand, and I will never give up until the fights over, no matter what.

MCC: What do you do in your free time?
RM: I like to spend time with my girlfriend and family. I also like to work on cars in my spare time and, of course, rodeo.

MCC:  You are making your MCC debut.  What are your thoughts going into your fight?
RM:  I’m glad to be in the promotion, but I don’t think the big show is going to affect me.  I have a lot of experience, so that will help keep me centered.

MCC:  You are fighting a former MCC champion.  What are your thoughts on your opponent?
RM:  He is a hard-nosed, tough ass kid.

MCC:  So, how do you see this fight going?
RM:  Honestly, I see the fight going three rounds because neither one of us is going to quit. We will put on a show for sure.  As a fighter, Worthington brings it.  He’s like me; he will never quit.  That is his greatest strength.  His weakness; he is not very technical on his feet.  That’s where I will be able to catch him.  If I can, I will go for the knock out or referee stoppage.  If not, we will battle to a decision.

MCC:  In a perfect world, you come up with a win.  If so, what’s next for you?
RM:  I’m down for whatever MCC throws at me. Hopefully the lightweight MCC title will be in my future.

MCC: What’s your training schedule leading up to this fight?
RM:  I have been lifting and running every morning before work. Plus, one hour of technique in either stand up or grappling, and then one hour of live go’s in both every day.  I have been training my stand up game a lot, same with my submission skills.

MCC:  Sounds good.  Best of luck with the remainder of your training camp, and we look forward to seeing you in the cage.  Is there anything you want to add?
RM:  I want to tell all the MCC fight fans, don’t miss out on this one because It’s going be fireworks. I would like to thank my friends and family for all of the love and support.  I’m really looking forward to making a good impression in my MCC debut.  See you all very soon!

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