From Basketball To MMA, Jason Langellier Eyes Title Shot With Legacy 59 Win

It has been a little over three years since the first time I interviewed Jason Langellier. Back then he was just getting started while preparing for his third amateur fight. He won that fight, and even went on to win an amateur title.

Now, Jason is a 4-0 professional fighter with 4 finishes, and is now co-headlining Legacy 59. He will be taking on the always dangerous Justin Reiswerg (10-6) after originally being scheduled to face Ray Blodget. I spoke with Jason to get his thoughts before he steps in the cage for arguably, the biggest fight of his career, this Friday at The Arena Theater in Houston, TX.

Mark Carrillo: How much have you changed as a fighter in these past three years?

Jason Langellier: I think I have a better understanding of fighting now compared to my amateur days. I was so new to it and came in with a basketball background and zero experience, and was just trying to learn everything. In my amateur days I was pretty much a “decision machine”, in the pros I’ve have four fights and they’ve all been finishes.

Carrillo: How do you compare Justin Reiswerg to your previous opponents?

Langellier: For the guys I’ve faced as a pro, Reiswerg is definitely a step up in competition; but I don’t want to keep fighting the same level of competition. If I’m going to do that then there’s no point.

Carrillo: Where do you think a win over Reiswerg puts you as far as rankings or a title shot?

Langellier: I feel like after this win, there has to be a title shot. Had I beaten Blodget (a former Legacy Champ) I think it would have made sense to get a title shot.

Carrillo: When you first started fighting, was becoming a pro, or a champion, in your plans?

Langellier: Basically, I wasn’t playing basketball anymore, so I was just trying this out to get in shape. My first week was horrible, I took a lot of butt whoopings but stuck with it. I was only supposed to have one fight just to say I was able to do it. I decided after winning the Legacy Amateur Series welterweight title that I wanted to become a pro.

Carrillo: How far would you like to take your career as a pro?

Langellier: I had the one fight for Bellator and that was a surreal experience. Starting from my amateur days to fighting at The Toyota Center in front of all my family and friends! I didn’t really get to embrace the whole moment, but it was really surreal. Since then I’m just trying to see how far I can take this, and that’s what this Justin Reiswerg fight represents. Let me fight the best guys in Houston, and then maybe eventually it will lead to the UFC. That’s my goal now, make it to the UFC, fight for those guys, and see where it goes.

Carrillo: What do you think your biggest advantages are over Justin Reiswerg?

Langellier: I would say my reach. I know they probably have some really long guys that he trains with, but I don’t think any of them move like me. I think my reach and movement are going to be a big key for this fight.

Carrillo: What kind of fight can we expect to see in the Legacy cage?

Langellier: I know I’m going to be in the center, and if he chooses to meet me in the center we’ll bang it out right there. There may be a feeling out process, but I will definitely be in the center.

Carrillo: Fighting out of Metro, and training alongside a number of guys with highlight finishes, does that put any extra pressure on you to get a finish?

Langellier: We have some killer in there. Guys like Kolton Englund, Charles Cheeks, Manny Lazoya, also, the guys I came up with like Aaron Reeves, Adrian Yanez, and Mike Trinh. We have a great group of guys and it’s really just clicking for the gym right now. You only get better going with those guys. I remember going in there and just struggling with a lot of them, but now I’m able to train alongside them and we just push each other. Also, Charles Cheeks has a win over Reiswerg, so being able to have him there and pick his brain just adds to my confidence going into this fight.

 

Carrillo: What’s next after this fight?

Langellier: I’d like to jump right back into another fight. I feel like I’ll be in good enough shape to jump right back in and hopefully Legacy will offer me a title shot. I’ll be 5-0 and ready to do a 4th fight this year, especially if it’s for a title. It was originally supposed to be Ray Blodgett I faced, and then another guy, and then it was Reiswerg, but I was like “fuck it lets do it.” I’m not going to be one of those guys that turns down fights against big names. Reiswerg was a big name when I was still an amateur, so it’s cool to be fighting him and see how far I’ve come.

Carrillo: How does it feel going up against fighters you used to watch on TV, and to be on TV yourself for this fight?

Langellier: It’s just extra motivation, to see that I’m actually at that level too now. I’m the co-main event but I’m looking to steal the show. I’m really excited for this fight, but I’m just scratching the surface; and if I beat Reiswerg, maybe Blodget and I can fight for the title.

Carrillo: Who all would you like to thank for helping you get prepared for this fight?

Langellier: All my training partners. Charles Cheeks, Aaron Reeves, Kolton Englund, Adrian Yanez, Mike Trinh, and Steven Vera. Dr. Orsak at St. Michael’s, Dr. Chris Coleman, EAOCL.com, Mike’s Seafood, Puente Power and Performance, Coach Martin Punete. Coach Saul Soliz, Gracie Barea Westchase, and Mena’s Boxing.

Get your tickets to Legacy 59, but if ou can’t make it, fights will air live at 9:00 pm cst on AXSTV.

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