Thursday, February 25, 2010 represents the next step in Aaron Arana’s (3-1) thus far short career. It is also his first foray into a more natural weight division for him. He will be taking on Chris Wolf at King of the Cage’s next trip to San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in Highland, California, an event titled “Arrival” featuring a main event between training partner Bobby Green and Rick Legere for the promotion’s Junior Welterweight (160 pound) belt.
I recently caught up with Aaron as well as Bobby and Reuben Duran, all hailing from Pinnacle Jiu-Jitsu in Redlands, California. During the time with Aaron, we discussed his short history in MMA and he expresses his love for the sport and how he would like to strike more if his opponents are brave enough to engage him.
How did you get into MMA?
I started training right out of high school, I wrestled in high school. The competition in wrestling, I missed it right away. Unless you’re a top wrestler, like a college wrestler, there’s not much to do so I started training. About two years into it, I got into an amateur fight and won that. Ever since then I’ve just been into it. It’s just a rush, you know? It’s like a drug, you get that adrenaline rush and there’s nothing like it.
Did you fight any amateur bouts?
I fought two amateur fights before I went pro. My first one, I won in the first round by submission, rear naked choke. And the second one I won by submission in the first round by triangle choke and then I had my first professional fight in February [of last year]
What sort of jiu-jitsu experience do you have?
When I came here to Pinnacle, I was doing [jiu-jitsu] tournaments, did okay. Was getting, like third place was like the best I got. But when I came here, I started placing higher. Jake [Benhey] really helped me out. I got my blue belt recently and placed in that tournament. Everything just got tighter.
How is the weight cut going?
I feel great, man, this is my first time going down to 135. I’ve always been a smaller guy, fighting at 145. My two amateur ones were at 155, then I went to 140, then 145, then back to 140 so I’ve always been smaller. This is my first time going to 135 so I feel really good, I feel strong, all the weight cutting is going great.
Do you think 135 is your ideal weight?
I think so. I’ve always felt a little chubby at 145 but now I feel like I’m going to be the strongest guy there.
How do you feel about your chances against Chris Wolf?
I get nervous before a fight, you know? But I’ve got all these guys to help me out, I’ve got Bobby [Green] and Reuben [Duran] so I’m confident. There’s Bobby Green, knocking people out and I train with these guys. They’re better than anyone I’m going to be fighting. They’re bigger, they’re stronger, they’re faster. Those are my brothers, they build my confidence.
How would you describe your striking ability?
I think my striking’s really good. The thing is, you look on paper, you see my wins and they’re all by submission. But in all my fights, I’ve been taken down. I’ve never wanted to go down, I love to stand and bang when I fight. The problem is when they start to bang and I start throwing back they’re surprised and they’re like, ‘oh man this guy can throw too’ then they take me down and my jiu-jitsu’s good too so I feel good about my striking. I feel like I can fight well wherever the fight goes.
Can you assess Thursday’s opponent?
I’m fighting Chris Wolf. I know he’s 6 feet tall. My buddy Greg Guzman just fought him last October and that fight went quick. It ended in like the first minute or something like that so we didn’t really get to see too much. All my fights have been like that so far. Since I first started, the amateur ones, didn’t really know anything about [my opponent], except Francisco [Rivera]. That’s the only one that I had something to work with. But we train for everything so I’m well prepared, always.
Aaron would like to thank Pinnacle Jiu Jitsu’s sponsors: Unleashed American Made Clothing, Bail Hotline Bail Bonds, Eureka! Burger Redlands, TapouT, K&N Diesel Repair, Reckoning, and HardcoreMouthGuards.
Matt Clarmont also writes for MMARecap.com
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