Officer Ismael Gonzales sits down with Fight Hub TV to share his thoughts about being a professional fighter by night and a police offer by day. Gonzalez will be headlining the Cage vs. Cons second card at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena and he shares his thoughts on his upcoming fight with Nick Christy and the feeling of having a jammed packed arena rooting against you.
FHTV: How did you get connected with Cage vs. Cons?
IG: It is funny I had fought for a promoter whose nephew is a police officer who said “Hey, my uncle has a friend and he is picking up fighters for an organization called Caged vs. Cons would you be interested?” At first I was like no way but he talked me into it and I tried out. They had some really good fighters so after that I was all for it. Another thing that sold me on the idea was everyone I met with Cage vs. Cons was a pleasure to work with and they had me thinking wow these guys are some good people.
FHTV: When you were approached by Cage vs. Cons what was your initial thought?
IG: I was thinking that they were going to have convicts right out of jail fighting. I had seen some of the felony fights before and I thought to myself that is some rough stuff. Plus I do not think I would have been approved to fight for them if it was a convict right out of jail. At first I thought it was going to be like the felony fights but it was not so I was all for it.
FHTV: You are a Police Offer, have you gotten any flack for fighting?
IG: For the first event I got a lot flack from people. People were saying it is not a smart career move and saying it was really bad. I had a lot of pressure on me to win.
FHTV: How did you get involved in mixed martial arts?
IG: I grew up doing Tae Kwon Do; I am third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Then when I was in the military I fell in love with Muay Thai while in France. I got back to the states and did a bunch of amateur fights then turned pro.
FHTV: Talk to us about how being a police officer helps you succeed as a fighter?
IG: I think it all goes to back to when I was growing up taking Tae Kwon Do classes which taught me how to respect. I learned self discipline; It taught me everything that I know today and without martial arts I would not be at where I am at today.
FHTV: Fill us in on your opponent Nick Christy?
IG: I do not know much about Nick, I just hear that he has started to mouth off some and is acting very disrespectful towards me and law enforcement. I took it personal because I look at it in the way that he wants to beat me up and embarrass me in front of my family and friends. This training camp has been my best training camp. I have heard he wants to stand and bang and if he really does I really look forward to that. When we step in the cage come Saturday he is going to have to change to my game I am going out to fight my fight. Antonio McKee has me in the best shape of my life; everyone at Team Body Shop has been so helpful in helping me prepare.
FHTV: What was it like walking into the arena on your way to the cage and knowing that besides your corner, everyone in the stands was there to see you lose?
IG: It was unreal and it kind of reminded me of my kickboxing days. When I walked out I was like wow this is for real. I had people flipping me the bird and saying stuff towards me, My uncle and my dad were their in the arena and my uncle was cheering me on and my father had to tell him to shut up because the crowd was totally against me.
FHTV: What does it mean to you to represent Cage vs. Cons? It is almost like you are the face for the promotion.
IG: I think it is great! I am glad that I am the face because it is on the positive note. People that know me know I am a humble person a very good down to earth person. The people that know me know also know I am not some wild cop or some crazy dude trying to beat up people. I do it for the sport and enjoy the competition. I look forward to Saturday night where all the hard work that I have put in these last few weeks will get to be displayed.
