Levelland’s own Mateo Gonzalez has found the win column again after defeating Brandon Menneses in the Peak Fighting 29 event, in Amarillo, June 10.
Securing his fourth professional victory by anaconda choke in the first round, Gonzalez improves to 4-2, after two straight losses.
For Gonzalez, this was his first fight close to home as he has had to travel out of state or compete on the opposite side of Texas.
“I have been having to fly to other states to compete in the past and being able to have friends and family in my corner for this fight was a blessing,” said Gonzalez. “The minute I got the call for this fight I knew I had to jump on it.”
Gonzalez knew he had his work cutout for him as he was going toe-to-toe with Menneses who has been a successful bareknuckle boxer and received submission of the year last year for Peak Fighting.
Analyzing whatever film Gonzalez and his camp could find on Menneses, the focus of his fight camp was geared toward sharpening his jui-jitsu skills.
Coming off of back-to-back losses, Gonzalez and his camp immediately began training with the desire to find another opportunity to turn the next page and get back into the win column.
Normally, staying 20 to 25 pounds above weigh-in weight, Gonzalez and his team decided to remain 10-15 pounds above weigh-in weight during camp to remain more discipline and inturn have an easier transition making weigh-ins.
“I don’t think I was properly prepared for my two fights that ended up as losses against Korey Sutcliffe and Adamu Isah,” explained Gonzalez. “After my second loss, my camp and I really evaluated the way we should prepare for this fight and made sure we grinded through camp day in and day out.”
Between everyday life, work and trying to stay in shape as a competitive fighter, Gonzalez knew he had to pick himself back up and prioritize training and his camp.
“Things happen and not all plans pan out, but I understood that I had to reset and get back to work in order to achieve the goals I have set for myself,” said Gonzalez. “I can only control how hard I work and how I prepare myself for each fight and I know that I can continue to improve and grow.”
For three months, Gonzalez and his team narrowed their focus to fight camp and never wavered.
“By the time weigh-ins came, I understood who my opponent was, who his coaches were, how he fought and what I needed to focus on,” said Gonzalez. “I put everything into preparing for that fight as if he was a world champion.”
Walking toward the cage, Gonzalez could feel his adrenaline building as the cheers from fighters who train at the same gym offered support along with friends and family in attendance.
With round one underway, Gonzalez and Menneses quickly went to the ground. Each fighter tried several combinations of submissions. Gonzalez continued to chip away at Menneses by trying multiple submission techniques and then found himself trading strikes with Menneses.
With Menneses being a volume striker, Gonzalez knew he had power on his side. Throwing multiple kicks and knees at his opponent, Gonzalez found an opportunity after connecting with the head of Menneses after realizing that his opponent was focused on protecting his torso more than the head area.
After connecting with his strike, Menneses went to the ground and Gonzalez quickly attempted a guillotine choke. Realizing the choke was not tight enough, Gonzalez released his choke and maneuvered his body into a standing position and snuck his arm around the neck of Menneses.
Feeling comfortable and confident in his hold, the anaconda choke was in place and began to alligator roll his body.
“Once I rolled with my arm around his neck, I could feel how tight I had it and I could hear him begin to wheeze,” said Gonzalez. “From there I started looking at the referee and I felt the tap. It was an awesome feeling.”
Filled with excitement, the arena erupted with cheers and Gonzalez could see his teammates, family and friends cheering.
“I could see through the whole arena and I could see my best friend, brothers and nephew going crazy,” said Gonzalez.
Coming out of the win, Gonzalez is looking for another fight with one slated for October in Amarillo. However, Gonzalez is looking for another fight in a shorter amount of time to keep his winning momentum going.