Justin Gonzales
Record: 10-0
Age: 29
Weight class: Featherweight
Height: 5’10”
Birthplace: Greeley, Colo.
Next Fight: July 10 vs. Jake Childers (8-0) at LFA 84 in Sioux Falls, S.D. – for LFA featherweight title (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: A teammate of Justin Gaethje on the University of Colorado wrestling squad, [autotag]Justin Gonzales[/autotag] never envisioned himself pursuing a career in mixed martial arts. However, after taking his first fight – all of that changed. The energy, the fun, the free drinks, and even the women were enough to convince Gonzales the pursuit of MMA stardom was worth it. After an extensive amateur career and 10 professional fights, Gonzales has still yet to lose. Last summer, Gonzales appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series, Season 3. Although he handily defeated his opponent Zach Zane, Gonzales was not signed by UFC president Dana White.
The Skinny: Sure, Gonzales brings a solid wrestling base to the cage, but he’s much more than just a grappler. Gonzales’ striking is very solid and his pace is relentless. In 10 pro fights, he has four finishes. Gonzales’ appearance on DWCS was, in some aspects, an accurate representation of what he brings to the cage. On the flip side, it didn’t show what he’s fully capable of. With a year to think about White’s comments (in which the UFC president questioned Gonzales’ excitement factor), Gonzales has had time to motivate himself to the fullest. Having already fought once on DWCS, Gonzales seems like an easy choice for a redemption story on this summer’s Season 4 – especially if he can get that LFA belt wrapped around his waist on July 10.
In his own words: “I’ve beaten everybody they’ve put in front of me. For the most part, I’ve dominated everyone they’ve put in front of me. You can argue that I may have not even lost a round. I’ve done everything I could and dominated everybody they put in front of me. I’m starting to run out of opponents. We’ve had to get people from out of the country to come and fight me. I’m tired of waiting. If I have to go back to Contender (Series) I’ll do it. I’m not afraid to take the long road or the hard road. I’ve done it my entire life. It’s part of who I am. I have a work ethic that’s unmatched.”
“… I don’t have to fight but I love this sport. I’ve committed myself to this sport. I think, straight up, I’ve worked too hard. … I simply want this more than anybody else. I deserve it. I work too hard to give up on it. I think I’m just a smarter fighter. I’ve lived a rough life growing up. I’ve seen some crazy (expletive) in my day but I’m also educated. I’ve seen the high life, as well. I know what I need to do.