John River talks FIGHT TIME 6 “Pride 7 Glory”

Atemi Cast: Hello Sifu how are you doing?

Rivera: How is the Atemi Cast doing?

Atemi Cast: Creeping along and making it happen.

Rivera: Same here. As you already know I am making my pro debut August 19^th. I am looking forward to it.  I thank Fight Time Promotions for giving me this great opportunity.  Howard Davis and Karla have done a spectacular job in regards to the amateurs and in show casing the up in coming new stars in pro events. They are professional individuals that know how to put a great show on.

Atemi Cast: Yes sir. We agree with that. Absolutely.

Rivera: I am seven week out. I am looking forward to this it is a new level for me.  I have put more time into the gym training.

Atemi Cast: You were doing some cornering last week.

Rivera: Yes I was. I was helping my teammates Christopher Alfonso and Carl “The Doctor: Darbouze.

Atemi Cast: We have seen all of his (Darbouze) kick-boxing matches and now that he has stepped into the cage… He is a scary dude in the cage.

Rivera:  He has taken his fight game to a new level. He trains hard, just like everyone else at American Top Team.  They are very diligent in their training. Win or lose they put their hearts into it. They do the best they can and love to do what they do.

Atemi Cast: How many more amateur fights will Carl do before he makes his step up?

Rivera: You have got to talk to Carl on that one.  You will see some surprising things in the future for him.

Atemi Cast: What are you focusing on in your training now?

Rivera: Everything. It is mixed martial arts. I am trying to be a very well rounded individual. I am trying to do everything as much as possible.

Atemi Cast: Don’t leave out the Kickboxing.

Rivera: I am concentrating on the mma right now. The kickboxing is there. To be a supreme fighter I must concentrate totally and put all my time and energy into that fighting aspect.

Atemi Cast: Is it different now that you’re moving from the amateurs to the pros? Are you looking at it differently?

Rivera: Yes. It is changed me. There will be more eyes on me and I do not want to come across poorly or ignorant. Training is harder but I have always pushed myself to the extreme. I will never stop.

Atemi Cast: Do you have any advice for armatures looking to go pro?

The Kick heard round the world

Rivera: This is what is great about the Florida Boxing commission changing the state rules that an armature must have 5 fights before going pro.  When you are going pro you have to be on time, you have to watch what you say, who you speak to, you have to totally make a true commitment in the fighting art. You can’t do it half way. You have to plan everything.   The pros take a lot; from dieting, dealing with sponsors, dealing with the media, your personal life, you have to be disciplined in mind, body, and spirit. You can’t do it half way. It must be one hundred percent. I have to do it over a hundred percent because of who I am and my personal beliefs. If you are an amateur looking to go pro you must train every single day. Don’t get me wrong you do have to give your body a chance to heal. Push yourself and never give up. Set aside time for yourself and family. Do not let negative emotions ruin your mind set or ruin you as a person.  You’re the one spending hours in the gym training so don’t let anyone hinder your progression.  Keep going forward.  After it is all said and done when you get in the cage and win, then you can look back and say wow look what I have now and for every one negative person you will have millions supporting you and screaming your name.

This has taken me by surprise. I have gotten such great support. Even as an amateur I would walk out with sponsors on my shorts. Even as an amateur I trained and acted like a professional.  You are portraying yourself. You are portraying your business. 

Atemi Cast: How long before this is your only job?

Rivera: I don’t know yet. Whenever anyone thinks mma, they think UFC and big money. That is not the way it is. I am at the bottom the totem pole. I am not leaving my full time job; yet.

Atemi Cast: What are you expecting to face personally on your pro debut August 19^th?

Rivera: Beside nervousness and butterflies in my stomach and chills. A fight is a fight, as simple as that. I will go in and do what I have to do.  I will not take things for granted. I am bringing everything I have in the martial arts. I plan to win.

Atemi Cast: as long as you talk to us after the UFC calls you up to fight Urijah Faber were cool.

Rivera's hand raised at PLAY HARD #1

 John Rivera is looking for sponsors if interested contact him at John “The Musclebot” Rivera fan page facebook, TheMuclebot @gmail,com,  @musclebot at twitter

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