The Game

Born to Box : Jason Sanchez

October 16, 2018 by Kori Kobayashi

Jason Sanchez was born into a legacy of boxers. With the current boxing record of 12-0 with 6 knockouts under his belt the native New Mexican is planning on adding to his family’s lengthy legacy in boxing this Oct. 31 in Panama City.

By Nichole Harwood | Photos by Marissa Perez

Sanchez grew up surrounded by boxers and as a child he watched his two older brothers Jose Luis Sanchez and Alan Sanchez rise as professional boxers after they followed in the footsteps of their father Jose Sanchez Sr. who boxed as an ameuter.

Together Sanchez and his family have worked together to establish a legacy while chasing the dream of one of the family becoming a world champion. They have grown and stuck together even through tragedy as on April 23, 2015 Sanchez’s older brother Alan Sanchez passed away.

With his remaining brother and father Sanchez and his family persevered and together opened up Sanchez Brothers Boxing just this summer on June 1.

“Sometimes I can feel him (Alan Sanchez) here,” said Sanchez’s mother Eva Sanchez.

Despite the loss the family has continued forward positively and the opening of the gym was a large accomplishment for Sanchez and his family who said they worked together to contribute to its opening.

“It felt really good,” Sanchez said. “We all worked on the gym together, we painted it and now that it’s open it just feels great.”

In honor of the oldest Sanchez brother the gym held its first 1st Annual Alan Sanchez Memorial Boxing Show Sept. 29 which featured an ameteur boxing competition.

Now Sanchez a father of two himself and a teacher at the family gym, said his family and gym are relentless in supporting him in his career.

“I’ve always been there for their fights and they have always been there for mine,” Sanchez said.

While Sanchez is the latest link in his family’s boxing legacy he said he would support his two children if they pick up the helms and go forward as well.

“It would cool- I would let them do it,” Sanchez said.

Having gone professional just five years ago Sanchez said the transition from ameuter to professional came with difficulties as Sanchez said it wasn’t easy to get fights in the first few years. Despite this he overcame and in the last year has seen an increase in opportunities to fight, he said. Due to his opponents identity being a mystery often until a few weeks before the fight Sanchez is always training hard for his upcoming fights.

Sanchez’s brother Jose Luis Sanchez will be fighting at the National Hispanic Cultural Center Oct. 20th with Sanchez’s fight following in Panama quickly after. His upcoming fight will mark a special occasion as it will be the first fight Sanchez will participate in since the opening of Sanchez Brothers Boxing. Sanchez’s has always had a supportive family but now he will be going into the October fight with both his family and gym who are behind him constantly encouraging him and cheering him on.

“It feels good to have a team behind me,” Sanchez said.

With Sanchez and his brother helping to train members before training themselves the gym welcomes those of every age. Currently Sanchez Brothers Boxing oldest member is 45-years-old while the youngest member is only 5-years-old.

While still a young gym Sanchez himself has felt pride in his gyms team members as just recently a few children from the gym participated in there first fights, winning them.

“It was pretty cool, them winning their first fight and we were able to help them out,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez himself intends to win his upcoming fight and continue to push forward towards his dreams. Sanchez’s passion for boxing stems not only from his desire to win the world title but also from watching each family member contribute to boxing.

“Always training around my brothers and my dad and then finally opening up this gym that along with everyone here including the kids motivated me to be someone,” Sanchez said.

10th Planet comes to Albuquerque

August 1, 2018 by Nichole Harwood

Nate Harris doesn’t see himself as a business owner rather first and foremost he sees himself as a jiu-jitsu coach.

“I love jiu-jitsu so much that I want to help it become as great as it possibly can,” Harris said.

This summer Harris along with fellow owner Brendon Baca set out to do just that as they introduced Albuquerque to 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu.

10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu stands out among others as it’s non-traditional system of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was developed by founder and American martial arts instructor Eddie Bravo. The system excludes many commonly found practices in Jiu-Jitsu such as the use of a gi.

While Bravo is known for the unorthodox creation of a system with no gi’s within the world of jiu-jitsu he is also well known for making his mark on the world of jiu-jitsu often in regards to competing at the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship , known as one of the world’s toughest submission wrestling tournament, as a brown belt. Bravo after returning to the United States was gifted a black belt upon his return and then opened the first 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu.

“Eddie will for sure go down in history as one of the greatest jiu-jitsu minds ever, one of the best innovators and for sure one of the best competitors obviously,” Harris said. “He’s done more for jiu-jitsu then so many people. I 100 percent know he will go down as one of the most influential jiu-jitsu guys in history.”

While a newer jiu-jitsu gym itself, Albuquerque’s 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu still hold close ties with it’s founder as the mats lining the floors of the business are actually the first mats ever used in Bravo’s first location. Both Baca and Harris noted the significance of this.

“These are the mats that 10th planet was born on,” Harris said. “Which to me, I’m kind of sentimental guy so I think is really cool.”

Challenging common practices of Brazilian jiu-jitsu while still respecting the traditions of jiu-jitsu is something 10th planet strives for, Baca said.

“10 Planet is 100 percent focused on growth and evolution,” Baca said.

10th planet embraces ideas of learning and innovation with coaches willing to learn from their students just as they do from them. The teamwork Harris and Baca use to run Albuquerque’s 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is largely tied to these concepts as Baca was originally one of Harris’s students in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu’s Santa Fe location. He has been learning from Harris just short of two years before the two made the decision to open an Albuquerque location together.

From their working off of each others strengths the team utilizes their experience to ensure the success of their students. Often the focus on working on their strength enables them to learn from students.

“Our whole thing is based on that feedback of being able to say hey you could have done this better and being open to that because that’s how we grow,” Baca said.

While Albuquerque’s 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is a recent addition to Harris’s life his journey to jiu-jitsu is one he said was often filled with happenstance rooted in his desire to become healthy rather then take steps towards a future career in jiu-jitsu. Despite this both Harris and Baca express enthusiasm in bringing 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu to Albuquerque.

“It was pure coincidence that I walked into that gym and started training under Tait (Fletcher) I just think it’s amazing because I happened to walk into that gym, with zero concept—–happening to go into that gym I got to join one of the most prestigious and best jiu-jitsu systems in the world,” Harris said.

Meet local boxer Fidel “Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr

July 13, 2018 by Nichole Harwood

Native New Mexican born and raised in Albuquerque, Fidel “Atrisco Kid” Maldonado Jr’s path to boxing began as a young child as he fought with his cousins. His uncle would watch his nephew foreseeing back then that he had the potential to be a boxer. It seemed only fitting that years later at eight-years-old Maldonado would be presented the choice between boxing and baseball.

He chose boxing and has stuck with it since.

Now at 26 years old and a professional in his field Maldonado said he has never played another sport aside from boxing. Since entering the field at a young age Maldonado has accomplished quite a bit even before going professional holding the rank of number two and number one in the nation among ameteur boxers in 2008.

The following year Maldonado went professional and as a teenager often fought men older them himself or even twice his age. Now as a seasoned professional Maldonado said his relationship with boxing is a love hate relationship.

“There’s days you hate it but you gotta push through and there’s days you love it and those days I can’t see myself doing anything else,” he said.

For Maldonado boxing is like a second in time where individuals are given a second to box before becoming older and passing on the mantel, he said.

“I want to put my legacy down in boxing and hopefully make some good moves outside of the ring,” Maldonado said. “I want to have smart people around me, make good moves and have my money as I make money.”

Maldonado’s family have been his supportive net in regards to his boxing with extended family members coming to fights to cheer him on. Now as a father of three children himself ranging from three to nine years old Maldonado has stepped beyond boxing professionally and now works as a barber alongside his boxing career.

“I cut hair, I fight and I’m a family man,” Maldonado said.

The three aspects of his life often mix in unexpected ways as clients will recognize him as a boxer when they come to get there hair cut. One particular incident that stood out to Maldonado involved a man who went for a haircut and spoke about a boxing match that stood out to him.

The match it turned out was one that Maldonado was in and had won.

“I didn’t say nothing I just kept cutting his hair and the other barber said ‘that’s him’ and he (the client) turned around and stopped and said ‘That is you’. He got my autograph and everything so that was pretty cool,” Maldonado said.

While Maldonado has faced losses he said that each one humbles him and helps him grow.

“If you live a humble life it will humble you,” he said.

Maldonado’s next match will have him defending his WBC Fecarbox Super Lightweight title and his current score of 24 wins to 4 losses with 19 knockouts.

With the support of his family and notably his fiancee, father and grandfather Maldonado is not looking to lose anytime soon as he puts down his legacy, he said.

“My family supports me in everything I do and that’s just what it is,” he said. “If you have the right support you can do anything.”

By Nichole Harwood

Undefeated Boxer Shoots for the Stars

June 29, 2018 by Nichole Harwood

By Nichole Harwood

Ronnie “The Mongoose” Baca is currently undefeated in his career as a professional boxer but it’s just a stepping stone towards his goal to be a world champion, he said.

“It’s a newbeginning right now, I’m just extremely focused it keeps me level-headed it keeps me ambitious and I’m just shooting for the stars,” Baca said.

Baca admits that his goal is every fighters dream and at this point right now he is just learning as he goes by but despite that he’s keeping his eye on the prize, he said.

Baca was born and raised in Arizona but he officially moved to New Mexico around the end of 2014.

At 24-year-old today Baca said he has always had strong ties to New Mexico as his father is originally from Santa Fe and so Baca has a lot of family in the state from his father’s side.

Due to this Baca has always been familiar with Albuquerque or Santa Fe due to family visits growing up as a kid.

His decision to move to New Mexico in 2014 was made after speaking to his father and deciding to focus on his boxing career, he said.

Officially Baca started boxing as a freshman 14-year-old going on to 15, he said.

“My father was the one who was very enthused with boxing,” Baca said. “As a kid I always used to watch saturday night fights growing up.”

Baca’s father introduced him to boxing to teach him self-discipline as Baca was not very focused in school, he said.

“Ever since then I just stuck with it,” Baca said. “I’ve been adapting to it skill wise, heart wise and things like that brought me here now.”

Not only did introducing his son to boxing introduce him to his future career the self-discipline he learned through boxing helped Baca with school as well.

“I moved to different schools while I was training.. and ever since then I have been extremely focused and I graduated with 3.0 so it helped me out a lot,” he said.

While most of Baca’s amature fights were in Arizona, all of his professional fights have been in New Mexico.

“It’s a big difference between the amateur league to the professional,” Baca said. “The amateur league is a school house and where you see yourself in the sport and well you know once you step up to the pro rinks then you learn the business side of it because it is a business. So it’s a big leap and a tough atmosphere.”

Baca has had multiple memorable fights both as an amateur and professional. His fights as a amateur have stood out to him as those were fights where he second guessed himself, he said.

During those moments Baca said he told himself to just stick through it and committed himself to working harder next time and learn from his mistakes.

In his amateur career Baca has had 18-19 amateur fights which isn’t much as a lot of others, but he noted that he has never been knocked out or been dropped. A fact he hopes continues in his professional career.

Baca’s family has been supportive throughout his career even when they have been worried about him getting hurt, he said.

“There has been times where my family’s been very emotional towards it (boxing career) they’ve been scared or they second-guess me being in the sport just for the fact that they don’t want me to be hurt which is understandable,” Baca said.

Despite this Baca’s family has found ways to be there for him both emotionally and physically. His father being his first manager and his mother and her family flying to New Mexico to support him in his fights.

“I can’t complain,” Baca said. “I’ve been really blessed with my family.”

In the beginning of his professional career Baca was being managed by his father alone but Baca has as of recent received a second manager with many connections in the community, he said.

“It’s always best to be around people you know and have them support you because when you know a lot of people it’s much easier, it’s much better for you as well. They get the name out and they can help explore who you are,” he said. “Now I feel like it’s skyrocketing more than ever.”

Baca has emphasized that as a sport boxing has a uniqueness to it that can not be shared by other sports.

“The sport, the victory overall at the end of this fight, it’s all on you. You’re the only one in the ring and that’s why I enjoy hearing the saying ‘you can play basketball but you can’t play boxing’,” he said.

Ronnie “The Mongoose” Baca is set to fight in the Route to Glory Bad Blood event on June 23rd.

Michelle Waterson | 2017 ESPN Body Issue

June 28, 2017 by Kori Kobayashi

Albuquerque’s own UFC superstar athlete Michelle Waterson is featured as the cover athlete in the 2017 ESPN BODY issue featuring many of sports top athletes. The issue hits stands July 7th.

Waterson joins the likes of New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, and Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez, along with many others in the 2017 issue. Big names in the past that have been featured include Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, Miesha Tate, and Cris Cyborg.

ABQ-Live the Magazine featured Waterson in an interview before her big win against Paige VanZant this past December. Watch some behind the scenes footage of her cover shoot with ESPN below.

ESPN The Magazine: photo by Eric Lutzens

ABQ Live the Magazine: photo by Kori Kobayashi

Copies of the Michelle Waterson issue are still available for purchase. Make your order HERE

ESPN The Magazine: photo by Eric Lutzens

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Holly Holm speaks at her homecoming in ABQ

December 6, 2015 by Kori Kobayashi

Holly Holm’s ‘Holmcoming’ went down Sunday in downtown ABQ as her motorcade made it’s way into Civic Plaza with estimates of 20,000 in attendance. Watch part of Holly’s speech and check back for more images from this historic event in Albuquerque.

Gov. Susana Martinez named Dec. 6 Holly Holm Day in New Mexico

Check out the full video at http://www.koat.com/news/full-video-hollys-holmcoming-speech/36827984

Watch Coach Wink talk about his reactions and what’s in store for Holly and the rest of the team at Jackson/Wink Academy

Rowdy Ronda calls out cool and calm Holly Holm in UFC 193 weigh-ins

November 13, 2015 by Kori Kobayashi

UFC 193 Weigh-Ins: Ronda Rousey vs. Holly Holm

We’re on the edge of our seat waiting for this one! Check out the full video of Ronda Rousey calling out the cool and calm Holly Holm below.

Building Champions with striking coach Brandon Gibson

November 13, 2015 by Kori Kobayashi

When it comes to building champions in the MMA fighting world, Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA Academy in Albuquerque is at the top of the list for most people. One of the key factors in their success is striking coach Brandon ‘Six Gun’ Gibson. We sat down with him to get a taste of what goes on inside the ring with some of the world’s top fighters.

“Brandon is constantly trying to learn and improve his game. He is creative, innovative and diligently studies. A lot of our success as a team can be directly attributed to him. ” -Greg Jackson, American mixed martial arts trainer & co-owns Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA

Brandon working with fighter Nick Urso

How long have you been a Striking Coach at Jackson’s/WinkleJohn’s?

BG: I started coaching in 2011. When I committed to it, I told myself I wanted to be a champion coach. I cornered my first amateur MMA fighter in January, and by September I was traveling with Jon Jones to prepare him for his first UFC title defense against Rampage Jackson.

What fighters have you worked since your time at J/W?

BG: I’ve had the opportunity to work with hundreds of fighters during my time at JW’s. I’ve spent the most time working with UFC Champions and contenders like John Dodson, Carlos Condit, Jon Jones, Alistair Overeem, Cub Swanson, Andrei Arlovski, and Tim Kennedy. I’ve also spent a lot of time developing future stars like Landon Vannata, Joby Sanchez, Phil Hawes and Jodie Esquibel. –

What are you specialties as a fight coach?

Brandon takes a moment inside the ring to answer a few questions

BG: I think my best strength is the ability to adapt to the different styles of each fighter. Coaching these top level athletes is all about collaborating and creating. Both parties need to believe in each
other, and share the vision of the goal ahead.

What do you enjoy most about coaching?

BG: The challenge of it all. I love competing with the top gyms from around the world. I know there are fighters and coaches in different countries right now that are working towards dethroning us. I’m always trying to find ways to develop and advance martial arts technique and strategy.

What does it take to be a successful fighter?

BG: A lot of sacrifice. There isn’t much money until you reach the upper echelon. These fighters live a very disciplined and modest life style. Being a fighter is about strengthening yourself unceasingly, getting a little better mentally, physically and spiritually every day.

Were you once a fighter?

BG: I fought on the amateur level when I was younger. I suffered a bad leg break in practice one day. The injury required numerous surgeries and therapy sessions. I had a love for martial arts, and I wasn’t ready to walk away. Coaching fit my personality and strengths more than being a fighter ever did. The injury was a blessing that I am forever grateful for.

You talked about the new facility actually housing fighters from other places. Currently there are fighters at J/W from around the world. Can you name a few and where they are from?

BG: Jackson-Winkeljohn is a hotbed for developing the best fighters in the world. Currently, we have fighters from France, England, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Dagestan, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico and many other countries. It’s a great atmosphere, and I’ve been able to meet some really amazing people through martial arts.

What, in your opinion, separates J/W gym from other gyms around the world, and why are so many champions coming out of here?

BG: I think it is about the approach we take towards building fighters. We like training intellectual fighters, guys that look at the sport like a chess match. Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn and been developing champions for decades, but they are never satisfied, and always looking to advance the sport.

How do you think Albuquerque helps with the success of these fighters?

BG: Culture, altitude, access, etc. Albuquerque is a great city to develop a fighter. The altitude and heat help, but we have a fighting culture that is ingrained in every citizen here in Albuquerque. The desert is a hard place to live; only the strongest and most adaptable people survive. – If you can, give us a couple of key elements that have changed during the rapid success of UFC since you started coaching.

Brandon’s spread in ABQ-Live the Magazine Issue #13

What have you had to adjust to?

BG: We are seeing the next generation of martial artist enter the game. In the past, a fighter typically had a strength in one of the traditional arts (wrestling, boxing, ju-jitsu, etc…), now we are seeing the fighters that grew up learning all of the skills. These fighters bring a new level of talent to the UFC, and we have to find creative ways to adapt their skill set to their strategy.

During a striking session what fighter hit you the hardest?

BG: That’s a hard question. Since MMA is a weight based sport, there are fighters that hit hard for their respective weight class. Each fighter also has a few techniques that strike harder that others; Carlos Condit’s elbows, John Dodson’s left body hook, Jon Jones’ spinning back kick, Alistair Overeem’s knee, Andrei Arlovski’s uppercut.

Brandon working with fighter Joby Sanchez

Who is the fastest fighter you have ever worked with?

BG: John Dodson 100%. He is the fighter that challenges me the most when it comes to speed.

What fighter “blew you away” with a skill set, or maybe surprised you with an ability that you didn’t realize they had?

BG: We’ve seen some amazing fighters come out of Dagestan, Russia. When UFC fighter Rustam Khabilov first came to Albuquerque, he had the most amazing wrestling technique that I had ever seen. We knew that he was going to be something special. –

In your opinion, who is the most underrated fighter in the UFC?

BG: Who should people pay attention to as the next local up-and-comer fighting out of J/W currently? Landon Vannata and Phil Hawes. Both of these young fighters will be in the UFC within a matter of months, and both have the skillset, work ethic and mindset to go to the top.

Brandon working with fighter Phil Hawes

OK, so what should we expect when Holly Holm faces Ronda Rousey at UFC 193 in Australia?

BG: I’ve been very impressed with Holly in her first two UFC fights. The fight with Ronda is the fight that Holly envisioned herself winning when she signed her UFC contract. Holly and the team at Jackson-Winkeljohn’s are working very hard to bring the UFC women’s bantamweight belt back home to Albuquerque. Ronda is a great champion and one of the best athletes on the planet, but so is Holly. Ronda has never faced anyone with the caliber of striking that Holly has, not to mention anyone with the mental strength that she has.

Best places to relax/eat after a tough training session?

BG: I think almost every fighter on the team loves meeting up at Rudy’s BBQ. It’s always a great place for the team to gather after a hard training session. I typically get a 1/3rd lb of turkey, an ice tea, and a cup of green chili stew.

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Heart + Soul Racing Team

June 19, 2015 by Joshua Lara

Abq-Live drops the training wheels and takes a ride with Heart + Soul Racing Team to find out more about spring activities on two wheels.

Jake Rehfeld

For people who don’t know much about the sport, what would you tell them to get them to watch or start riding? Downhill mountain biking (or just mountain biking in general) is one of those sports that can be for just about anyone. Whether you’re just looking to relax by the river or scare the pants off yourself, there’s something for everyone when it comes to mountain biking.

What got you into downhill riding? I started riding bicycles and dirt bikes at a young age. My friends and I always enjoyed building sketchy ramps and seeing who could go the farthest. It was inevitable that I found downhill biking. I’m just a 6’3” child at heart.

What keeps you in shape to keep up with the sport? Along with a good diet, the best way to keep in shape is to honestly just ride your damn bike every day. I’ve yet to find a more fun or more exhausting workout than riding my bike around the foothills, BMX track or Bike Park for a few hours.

Who, in your opinion, is the best downhill rider out there? The best downhill rider isn’t always the guy standing on the podium every weekend. It’s the guy (or girl) who handles the ups and downs of racing. It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you handle the result that makes you awesome.

What size bike did you start on? Like everyone, my first bike was your standard “training wheel special” from the local sporting goods store. My first downhill bike, however, was a Jamis Dakar BAM 2.0 that my mom had bought me from Fat Tire Cycles in Albuquerque, NM. We broke and welded that bike every which way until that bike was just done for. I’ll remember that piece of crap until the day I die. I loved that bike!

How old were you when you started racing and what motivated you? I started racing mountain bikes around the age of 18 or so. Sometime during my high school career I gave up the BMX bike for a 26” dirt jumper and my love for the sport began. My first ever “downhill” race was a Super D event in Colorado that some of the older guys dragged me along to. I’ll forever be grateful and stoked that I had such an awesome group of mentors that got me into the sport and were there for me step-by-step.

What do you ride now? My current downhill bike is a Transition Bike Company TR500. My dirt jump/4X bike is a Deity Components Cryptkeeper. I’m still running 26” wheels on my downhill bikes, despite the fact that most people have hopped on the 27.5” bandwagon as of late.

What riders got you stoked and influenced you the most? My friends and teammates get me stoked to ride every time. Whether we’re pinning race laps or sending huge booters, the people I ride with are always there to support and motivate each other to do our absolute best.

Describe the feeling you get mid-air? The feeling of being mid-air is unlike any other. It is what many of us live for. It’s what brings a lot of us back to the bike time and time again. It can be the most relaxing yet exciting, surreal yet vibrant, and terrifying yet awesome experience you will have. The quest to get more and more airtime is never ending. It’s more addicting than heroin.

How much do you ride a day? That all depends on life. Work and everything else going on in your life seem to have this negative effect on the amount of saddle time you get but always know that the time will come to ride. Whether I’m able to ride every single day in a month or only a few times, I love each ride more than the last and look forward to it each and every time.

What’s the number 1 rule of downhill riding? The number 1 rule of downhill mountain biking is to know how to push your limits. So many people get broken by trying to go too fast, too soon. Knowing how to safely push your limits, while still progressing is a formula that many (including myself) struggle with figuring out.

What has been your proudest moment? My proudest moments in downhill would have to be helping get others into the sport. I love downhill with my entire being and if I can get just one other person to love the sport as much as I do, I’d call that a success. I won national champs for my age group one time too, that was pretty cool.

What do you do in your down time when you’re not practicing? I love anything outside. During the summer, my activities are mostly bicycle-oriented but during the winter I love to snowboard. Having an equally exciting yet different sport is important, not only for cross-training but also to keep things fresh and fun all year long.

Your worst wreck? I’ve had a few bad crashes in my day but most recently was an incident involving a full moon, an icy ski hill, and a broken full-face helmet. Need I say more?

3 songs that you would find in your riding playlist? I listen to a lot of upbeat and fun music when I ride. Slayer is awesome, but sometimes that stuff gets me “too” pumped up and I can’t concentrate. Music that keeps things fun and exciting yet still relaxing is the key for me. The right music can often make the difference.

Favorite place to ride? I’ve had the opportunity to ride my bike all over the world, but one of the strangest places I’ve ever ridden was in Seattle, WA. There’s a bike park built under the freeway to keep it out of the rain. It is definitely an interesting spot to ride. My favorite place on Earth to ride my mountain bike would be up at Angel Fire Bike Park. I’ve been riding and helping up there since I can remember and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Any pre-competition rituals? Before a race, I’ll usually just listen to some music and try not to get too nervous. I’ve been racing for a long time, but the nerves are inevitable. It’s all about who handles those nerves the best.

John “The Magician” Dodson

July 25, 2014 by Josh Vanlandingham

Written By: Desiree Cordova

Photography By: Kori Kobayashi

John Dodson, also known as “The Magician” is notorious for his speed, fast hands and explosive footwork. Dodson has been professionally fighting since 2004 and has won 8 of his last 9 fights. As one of the longest tenured team members of Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA gym, he is ranked UFC’s #1 contender in the flyweight division.

“Fighting is like a full time job but you’re forced to work overtime everyday. I practice every area of the game so I make sure to keep up with the changes. MMA is such an evolving sport, so I’m working on my boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, grappling, learning new cage control, and new cage defense,” said Dodson, who began his career in 2002 after being recruited by Mixed Martial Arts trainer, Greg Jackson.

Making his UFC debut in 2011, Dodson won the fight via TKO against T.J Dillashaw, making him the bantamweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 14, he also won an additional $40,000 for winning the Knockout of the Night honors. It was not until 2013 that Dodson became the first Ultimate Fighter alumnus to fight for a title post-season 5. Dodson faced off against UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, who won via unanimous decision.

“The thought going through my mind fighting some of the best fighters in the world is that I have an AWESOME job. It’s a great feeling knowing I can keep up with them, but it’s a better feeling knowing that it is my job. There are tons of people that hate their job and I’m not one of them,” said Dodson, who is now 29 years old and fighting for a chance at a UFC title in his near future.

On June 27th, 2014 John “The Magician” Dodson competed in the undercard event against flyweight contender John Moraga as part of UFC 42 headlined by Benson Henderson and Rustam Khabilov. This historic night at Albuquerque’s Tingley Coliseum was New Mexico’s first ever UFC hosted “Fight Night.” Local UFC superstar, hometown hero and The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 winner Diego Sanchez also graced the card with a bout against Ross Pearson.

Back in November 2010, John Dodson defeated Moraga by unanimous decision at an event called “Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion” in Punta Cana, La Altagracia. This time around however was more significant for both fighters, giving Dodson a shot at a possible rematch for the title against Demetrious Johnson and a chance for John Moraga to break into the top three fighters in the flyweight division. In the ending seconds of round 2, John Dodson delivered a solid knee to Moraga’s nose forcing the ringside physician’s hand in stopping the fight between rounds 2-3.

Due to knee damage and a torn meniscus, Dodson underwent ACL surgery to help him revamp his body since his knee trouble began in early 2013. This has put his rematch with current champion Demetrious Johnson on hold for now. “Too bad if Demetrious doesn’t like that fight, that’s the fight he’s probably looking at. No doubt about it, that is (potentially) one of the premier match-ups in the UFC this year, recently said UFC President Dana White.