by Emmit Hamilton, Jackson's MMA Series
Buddy Roberts: I am from Mansfield, Texas. Growing up I played every sport. From soccer, basketball, football, to street hockey. Whatever I was around to do. I rode a lot of horses on the ranch. In high school I played one year of basketball and then decided football was the sport for me. I stuck with football and played in college at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. I played there for four years and as soon as I graduated I decided I wanted to start fighting. So I moved up to Reno and started training with Lion's Den up there and now I'm in Albuquerque training at Jackson's.
jacksonsmmaseries.com: When you first started training for MMA, what goals did you set for yourself and are those the same
goals you have today?
Buddy Roberts: Yeah you know, fighting in the big show was definitely a goal when I started and is still a goal today. Training here at Jackson's you train with the guys that are in the big show and it is a big confidence builder for you when you do well with those guys day in and day out. I feel like I'm not too far away from achieving my goals from when I first started MMA.
jacksonsmmaseries.com: Team Jackson is very well known for successful game planning. Have you started developing a game plan for this fight?
Buddy Roberts: You know I have seen so many of Tony's fights already from watching him on TV, so yeah I have an idea already. Coach Jackson and I have talked and we have a good idea of what we are going to make happen in the fight.
jacksonsmmaseries.com: What do you know about your opponent Tony Lopez?
Buddy Roberts: Tony is a veteran. He is a tall guy and uses his length really well. He has good stand up and good ground. He actually has more submission wins then he does TKOs or knockouts. He is no slouch off his back. He creates some problems being as long as he is but I train with guys like that every day at Jackson's. He is a scrappy guy who won't quit, he's going to fight until the final bell rings.
jacksonsmmaseries.com: So far in your career you've only had 1 fight go the distance. What is it gonna take to keep this fight from going the distance?
Buddy Roberts: I learned a lot in that fight. It was probably the best thing that it did go five rounds. I felt like I could have pushed the pace more. Being five rounds, I was nervous when we went to the fourth, then I came out for the fifth round and I still had plenty of energy so I knew that I could have pushed the pace more. I was a little upset after that fight but I'm going to fix my problems and hopefully push the pace and finish this fight.
jacksonsmmaseries.com: What can the fans expect to see from you at Jackson's MMA Series V on July 9th?
Buddy Roberts: Hopefully some excitement, you know, an explosion. This is not going to be a boring fight! I feel like I have not put on a boring fight yet in my career and I do not want to start now. I plan on standing up with Tony and if it goes to the ground then we'll grapple, pound, wrestle, whatever it takes I am gonna get the win and hopefully it'll be exciting at the same time.
jacksonsmmaseries.com: What does it mean to you to be fighting in the Main Event on a Jackson's MMA card here at the Hard Rock?
Buddy Roberts: I feel really privileged that they chose me. Jackson's MMA Series has had some really good main events so far. So hopefully that means they are expecting something exciting out of me, they think I can do well against Tony so I feel privileged about that too.
jacksonsmmaseries.com: In closing, are there sponsors or anyone you would like to thank and do you have any words for your fans?
Buddy Roberts: I'd like to thank all the fans for all the support. I'd like to thank NutraBio, MMA Grillz, Bully's Sports Bar & Grill in Reno. I'd also like to thank Push Your Limits Fitness and especially Jackson's MMA. Everyone can check out
my website, thebuddyroberts.com and follow me on Twitter @thebuddyroberts
