After a ten month layoff, Englund will make his professional MMA debut at Legacy 31 against Delis Borges. I spoke with him to see how his shoulder has been, and what we can expect from his first professional fight.
Mark Carrillo: Tell us about your last fight.
Kolton Englund: I was defending my lightweight title against Hillail. I postured up to punch and came down and hit my bicep on his shin, which dislocated my shoulder because of the weird angle. I was so depressed and angry, I wanted revenge immediately. But I thought it through, and my dad and I made a decision that a rematch wasn’t necessary.
MC: How has it been since the surgery? Was there any rehab required?
KE: It took a while to rehab, but everything happens for a reason and I feel stronger and faster than I ever have as a fighter. So I believe it happened for the best.
MC: How does it feel going from having the main event status in the amateur circuit, to working your way up from the prelims now that you are a pro?
KE: I was thinking about that the other day, it’s cool. I like having to work my way up; it’s fun to me. I know I have a lot of learning to do to be at the top, but I’m willing to put in the work to get there. It’s a motivation you could say, and I don’t have to wait so long to fight anymore. (Laughing)
MC: Now that you are healthy again, can we expect to see you stay as busy as you were an as ammy?
KE: Yes you can. I love fighting and competing, I need it in my life to stay normal. I will talk to my coaches, they will evaluate me after each fight, and tell me how much time I need off to work on things.
MC: I see you train at a few gyms, mainly 4oz. Where else are you training these days?
KE: I train at several gyms around Houston: 4oz, Rilion Gracie Academy, Team Swole, and a few other gyms that do privates with me.
MC: Now that you’re getting older and stronger, is it any harder making the cut to 155lbs? Any plans on fighting at a different weight class one day?
KE: Yeah it’s getting a little more difficult but I still manage to make it. I just have to compensate some of my weight training sometimes because I have to put on too much muscle, but I will stay at 155lbs.
MC: What do you know about your opponent?
KE: I don’t know much, I just know he’s a game opponent and we make for a great fight.
MC: You have to be pretty tough and a fearless person to be a fighter, but you must be scared of something. What scares the shit out of you?
KE: Spiders do! I’m so scared of spiders it’s not healthy! (Laughing) I would fight anyone in the world before I held a spider.
MC: If you weren’t a fighter, what other career would you like to have?
KE: I was wanting to be in the FBI, but I only wanted to be the guy who runs in the house with no warning and smacks everyone up that’s in there; but I’d have to go to school for that and I hate school.
MC: What would it take to get you to walk out to a Justin Bieber song?
KE: It would take a lot, that’s all I can say.
MC: Who would you like to thank for helping you prepare for this fight?
KE: I would like to thank God first for letting me do what I love everyday, and my parents and girlfriend for giving me all the support I could ever ask for when I’m preparing for a fight. I would also like to thank all the guys at 4oz Fight Club, and Rilion’s who have pushed me and took their time with me. Thank you to all my sponsors, My Fight Shop, Kingpin Fight Gear, Valos Sport Cutz, Revolutous Fight Gear, and Tuned By Taylor. See ya’ll in the cage!
Get your tickets for Legacy Fighting Championship 31 here
Follow Kolton on Twitter @whiteassassin34
Follow Mark on Twitter @MarkilloTX
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