For Lights Out Promotions Ticket Info: http://www.teamlightsout.com
By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report
Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report
At the end of the day the sun sets. “Time waits for no man” my teacher Mr Procacinni used to say. As an athlete your window of opportunity is limited. As a fighter, that window is even smaller.
At 40 years old Tony Lopez(34-14 MMA) should be looking back at his career with a margarita in one hand and his lovely wife in the other. Time would have you believe his best days were behind him, and maybe they are, but make no mistake Tony Lopez is not done fighting. He is motivated again, and that makes him a very dangerous animal.
More often than not hindsight is very cruel to the older fighter. Hanging on too long leaves bitter memories that are hard to shake away. Those cautionary tales are usually punctuated with a once granite chin now fractured. Guys like Chuck Liddell who once took a freight train to the jaw, now crumbled as if a button had been pushed.
You can’t paint Lopez with that brush though. Sure he has lost a few fights and those fights are the reason he is still lacing them up. “I have really messed up my career with the last few fights, and now I want to put together a win streak and end on a high note.” Lopez said. Refreshingly honest from a man who at one time was a fighter no one wanted to face.
At 6’5 and near 225 lbs, Lopez has fought in pretty much every weight class between 185 and super heavyweight. His fantastic stand-up, defensive wrestling, and iron jaw made him a nightmare of a prospect for even the most seasoned opponent. Lopez at one time held three King of The Cage Titles concurrently (Super Heavyweight, Heavyweight, and Light Heavyweight), and has notable wins over UFC veterans Wes Combs, Kyle Kingsbury, Darril Schoonover, and Joey Beltran.
For Lopez his career is coming full circle. Now back with his original coach Colin Oyama, Lopez has his weight where he wants it to be, and appears to be in prime form. In his way is heavy-handed striker Chase Gormely.
Gormley is hungry and looking to get back to the UFC. A win over Tony Lopez would certainly be a feather in his cap. However Lopez is not ready to be a stepping stone, and if Gormely is gonna add his name to the win column he is certainly going to have to earn it.
“I know Chase, he is going to come out and bring the pressure from the start.” Lopez said. “He is gonna try to get me against the fence or take me down, so I have to remember not to give up good positions, and it should be my fight all the way”
For Lopez the chance to right the ship in his own back yard is priceless. His last fight in California although a victory was marred with controversy, when Lopez held a choke too long after the referee tried to stop the fight. A contrite Lopez accepted his suspension, paid his fine and re-applied for a license, which he was granted.
With his past transgression as his only blemish in a otherwise amazing career Lopez deserves this shot at redemption. A measured redemption. One not rewarded with gold belts, but with the honor and dignity that a warrior like Tony Lopez deserves. Who knows when his fighting days will end? He already has another fight lined up in Hawaii after this bout. With his chin intact, and his ticket selling striking style, Tony Lopez will continue.
Warriors like Tony Lopez don’t fade away into obscurity, they ride off into the sunset, of their own accord!
Tony would like to thank his wife, whom he credits as both his inspiration and his motivation.
Tony Lopez is Sponsored By:
Tony is also available for MMA fighters looking for private lessons at his Gym Planet Krypton
Contact him on facebook for information
For Lights Out Promotions Ticket Info: www.teamlightsout.com
THE CLINCH REPORT 