“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” – Phillipians 4:13
More than just a tattoo on the chest of Jon Jones, this verse has inspired many a person and have found the motivation and confidence to pursue what they want in life. Former UFC featherweight and fan favorite, Leonard Garcia uses his relationship with Christ to help him get through not just his fighting career but life as well, “My Christianity has helped me a great deal in all of this… I am at peace, all my decisions are led by God!”
Speaking with Fight Hub TV about his current release from Zuffa, signing with Legacy FC and training now with his cousin Duane Ludwig and the crew at Team Alpha Male, Garcia was very open about his situations and more in this interview.
FHTV: What led you to go train at Alpha Male?
Garcia: Duane Ludwig is my cousin and we have been talking about training together for some time. He just moved over there and then I spoke with him and Urijah (Faber) and they were like, ‘let’s give this a shot, see what happens and go from there’. So I think the best thing is it will be a fresh approach and help me see what I was doing wrong in some aspects and make me better overall. You know, some of the guys I train with now, I am so used to training and sparring with them, that I know when they will throw a certain punch, how to sprawl out of their shot, things like that.
Like when I fought Cody McKenzie, I thought I would be able to go out there and knock him out, and then he goes to shoot for a single leg and being comfortable from training with the same people and styles, when Cody did it, it gave me problems and he got me all the time.
I also spoke with my coach, Greg Jackson, and he was supportive of my decision to come out to Sacramento and train with them. He told me, ‘Maybe you going out there will teach you things I cannot and help your game overall; then you can come back and focus on in addition to what we work on here and improve your game.”
FHTV: Being a student under Greg Jackson, how much does a gameplan come into your mind when you fight and is it hard to stick to a plan and not let emotion take over?
Garcia: You know, I throw with intention all the time but I need to be smart and think of what I am doing. Working with Greg for a full camp for my Max Holloway fight, was like the first time I had that one on one with him. Jackson’s MMA is a big gym and he is there working with everyone and stuff but to have that for the first time, it was a learning experience for both of us. After the loss we talked, he said it is not all my fault and not all his fault but saw issues we need to work on. A game plan is a good thing if it is executed properly.
FHTV: What made you sign with Legacy FC?
Garcia: Being based out of Texas was a huge thing for me. Being able to get back on track and hopefully get back with the UFC in front of my home, my family, my friends – all that means a lot and is very important to me. My first fight for the UFC was that war with Roger Huerta and I love to put on a good show all the time. I look forward to going out on July 19th against Rey Trujillo and putting on a great show for everyone and getting back to winning.
FHTV: Were you upset with Zuffa releasing you?
Garcia: Not at all, I mean it hurt because they are the biggest and the world and that’s where I want to be, but I totally understood and even supported it. I talked to them on a business side and know that if I am not winning, let me go and be able to get things back together and prove that I do belong on the roster. You know, to hear Dana White say things like, ‘I’m not gonna cut a guy like Leonard Garcia’ – that’s a HUGE compliment to myself and my style and my team…but at the same time, it doesn’t make sense to keep a guy who isn’t winning. Just gotta make it back now.
FHTV: If you were offered tomorrow, would you fight Donald Cerrone?
Garcia: (laughs) Yeah! That’s my boy and I love him and I would, I mean – it would be a situation to where we both compensated comfortably to beat the crap out of each other. I love Donald to death, and I know he feels the same for me.
FHTV: Anything else you would like to say to the fans?
Garcia: Thanks to everyone for all the love and support. Thank you for taking the time for wanting to talk and follow me on Twitter and to God be the glory!
