Next MMA Fighter

As we often get the chance to cover the Georgia MMA Scene more then other regions because its where we live, we try to stay apprised of fighters in our area. As we have attended two of Aaron’s fights that were finished in spectacular fashion, we were happy to get the chance to speak with him earlier this week.

NextMMAFighter : Aaron, thanks for taking the time to talk to us, tell us a bit about how you got started in MMA and how you found your gym Alpha Fighting Systems?

Aaron “Tex” Johnson : I started training at Knuckle-Up in Douglasville under Steve Headden about two years ago. I appreciate everything Steve and his instructors taught me. Unfortunately, I had a different attitude up until a few months ago and I was a little too aggressive when working with my teammates and Knuckle-Up gave me a wake-up call by asking me not to come back and train. Too many people were being injured due to my lack of respect and responsibility.

After competing at the Lutador Grappling Tournament a few months ago, Jimmy Long at Alpha approached me and invited me into his gym to train. This offer was under the stipulation that I train under his coaching and that I change my ways as Team Alpha is a family. “We train together, hang together and support one another.” I accepted the terms of Jimmy’s agreement and started training at Alpha the following week.

I’m proud to say that Alpha has provided me the coaching and guidance I need to continue my fight career.

NextMMAFighter : As a fighter who is still young in his MMA career, what do you still think you have to work at to be a more complete fighter.

AJ : I have been successful and fortunate during last three fights by being able to use my training in BJJ to win. I have really focused on my stand-up even before my last fight with Steve Sawyer. I was working five days a week on developing combinations and really working my techniques that I learned in Tae Kwon Do to incorporate them to the MMA game. To be a really well rounded fighter I need to continue to work my hands and my wrestling/take-downs which is a major focus for me as I train for my next fight on August 29th.

NextMMAFighter : As a professional MMA fighter now, do you train full time or are you also an instructor at your gym?

AJ : I have a strict work-out schedule at Alpha. I train approx. 20 hours a week on BJJ, 10 hours a week on stand-up and my coaches can call at anytime and tell me they are picking me up to go for a run. I have even taken up YOGA as a relaxation method and to improve my core.

I am 100% committed to being a pro fighter. As far as instructing at my gym, I am a four stripe Blue Belt so I am asked to lead class at Alpha from time to time, but I am working hard toward my Purple Belt so I can be a full-time instructor at Alpha.

NextMMAFighter : As we have been in attendance for a number of your fights live, you love the armbar and seem to use this as a finishing move often. Do you seek out this submission or has it just turned out that way in your fights.

AJ : Well, two of my last three fights did finish with an arm-bar submission but I did win a fight with a leg submission at Sin City Fight Club’s card in Atlanta (www.sincityfightclub.com). I have been very fortunate in every fight thus far that the fight has gone to the ground and my BJJ training just takes over. The armbar is a great submission and we incorporate the armbar drills into my work out on a daily basis, so the transition from the back to the armbar at Wild Bill’s is something we work at Alpha quite frequently.

Like I told my guys, I was a little disappointed with myself at Wild Bill’s because I wanted to stand and “bang” with Steve Sawyer to show that I have improved my stand-up game. I worked really hard as I said before on my stand-up, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go for the armbar when I secured the back position. So once that happened, I just took advantage and pulled the armbar.

Game plan’s are just that “PLANS”, sometimes that plan goes out the window when you enter the ring or cage!

NextMMAFighter : As you continue your development as a pro fighter what areas of your fight game are you looking to improve on the most?

AJ : I just want to continue to grow as a fighter each and every day. I am very proud of myself inside and outside the ring/cage. I have come a long way in just a few short months with my new camp and with the guidance of my managers at Sponsored Fan. It is great to have a support system around me that I can lean on at anytime. Being a pro fighter has it’s ups and downs and you really need to have a support system. Mentally, I am in the best shape I have ever been in since starting my training. I have had three good shows in a row and I hope to carry that momentum into the fight on the 29th of August on the KO Kings card vs. Johnny Buck.

NextMMAFighter : As you currently have one career loss and 3 straight wins, what are you doing to make sure that you don’t taste defeat again?

AJ : I am not focused on the win streak; no matter what your record there is always someone out there better than you. Look at the superior guys in this sport like Miguel Torres who everyone thought was unstoppable, no disrespect to him as he is an amazing fighter but he confirmed last night that everyone is beatable. By the way, congrats to Brian Bowles from Rory and Adam Singer’s Hardcore Gym, what a remarkable story for those guys. Congrats!

The 185lb weight class is filled with great talent here in Georgia: Warren Thompson, Clint Hester, George Allen, Dymond Jones, David Mewborn, Cale Yarborough, Brett Chism, Dave Vitkay the list goes on and on. I want to continue to improve each fight and hopefully have the opportunity to fight some of these guys in the future.

There has been some internet posts around me needing to step up and compete against higher level opponents. I want to address that issue; I was one of the first fighters to verbally commit to participating in the 185lb GRAND PRIX in October that Soco is putting on for Sin City Fight Club. There will be a lot of big name opponents in this Grand Prix as the winner takes home over $12k in cash. This type of purse will draw several top level opponents and it will answer the question, “Who is the best 185lb fighter in the region…”

I will be a part of this, so I have stepped up!!

NextMMAFighter : In your entire MMA career thus far can you tell us about one moment or event that has happened that you will never forget?

AJ : That has to be my only career loss when I got cut and the doctor stopped my fight against Clint Hester. Clint is a great fighter, but I really believe I was in control of that fight. I didn’t “finish” when I had the chance and I got cut so the doctor stopped the fight. I hope to one day have the opportunity for a rematch but I can’t think about that now. What’s done is done and I must stay focused on August 29th…

NextMMAFighter : As some fighters do it for the fame, others for financial reasons and even some who like getting punched in the face. What is your motivation as a professional fighter?

AJ : Fighting keeps me grounded. I like to fight, I like to compete. Some people play tennis or golf for relaxation; I need something a little more fast paced. Don’t get me wrong though, this is a business and I enjoy getting a paycheck at the end of the night after competing.

Promoters, please keep the opportunities coming my way and thank you for all the opportunities thus far.

NextMMAFighter : We will be in attendance at your next scheduled fight under the KO Kings promotion and look forward to seeing you fight again, in closing is there anyone you would like to thank?

AJ : First and foremost, I want to thank my sponsors: Miller Lite, Omega Atrire, VPX Sports makers of Red Line, Xingtea, Bullet Fight Gear and Fitness Depot of Douglasville

If you like seeing me fight, PLEASE support these brands because they support me!

I would also like to thank Sponsored Fan Sport and Event Marketing www.sponsoredfan.com my management company. They have taken control of all the business aspects of this sport and let me train to fight. Simply put “I fight, they manage…” and those guys work their tails off for me and the rest of our team.

To my fans, please check-out www.omegaattire.com to purchase my walk-out shirts. I would appreciate the support.

I would also like to thank my Sponsored Fan teammate, Tim Stout who is fighting on the August 29th card vs. Roger Carroll out of NC. Warren Thompson is another great friend of mine that will be fighting on the Ko Kings card vs. John Ott who is a really tough guy that went the distance with Ethan Garrison at Gwinnett Arena on Brett Moses’ card a couple months back. This show will be exciting, come check it out!

To purchase tickets to this show you can go to KOKings.net or email the guys at Sponsored Fan at info@sponsoredfan.com and they can make plans to meet up with you to deliver your tickets.

Lastly I would like to thank NextMMAFighter.com for the interview and for the support.

NextMMAFighter : Thanks again Aaron, we look forward to your next fight at KoKings on August 29th.