Pro MMA fighter Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez recently faced off against Peter Petties in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This match was supremely significant for Emmanuel because he was bouncing back from a five match losing streak, and this fight would prove if he was here to stay or not. On top of that, this pivotal match was in El Matador’s hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Emmanuel not only had the weight of his combat career on his shoulders but he also couldn’t let down his fans, friends, and family. Days before the fight, we sat down with Emmanuel and talked through his journey, his techniques, and his philosophy on life.
Watch and read the interview below
What emotions did you experience stepping back into the winner’s circle after the five fight losing streak?
A lot of things affected my mental, emotional, and spiritual health, but I choose to always fall back on my faith, and not even fall back but rely, and that’s the firm foundation of my life: my faith, my hope, and perseverance.
Can you describe the mental and physical adjustments you made during your losing streak to turn things around?
I’m a person who always chooses to look at the positives. Some people say, “Glass half full, half empty,” but I’m happy if I have glass with anything in it. And so… I took that as, “Alright just be good. Life is good. Stay positive, and just keep going.” But, without realizing, I didn’t know I was carrying so much extra weight on my shoulders from just a lot of bad things that were going on around me. It just…I hadn’t realized, like how much I was carrying, until I separated myself from that. And now I’m much more at ease and at peace, harmony, knowing that I can focus on the one thing that I have and that’s, man, my craft, my passion, everything that God’s given me to be able to go out and do what he put in my heart to do, the dreams that I set out to accomplish.
How significant is it to fight in your hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
It’s been 10 years since I fought in Milwaukee, so this is, like, I’d say homecoming, very nostalgic. At the same time, I think it’s even better than it was that long ago because of the growth of social media, the growth of these promotions, the growth of the fighters and talent and every other fighter on this card as well. I’m like, “Man, you know, this is huge to, like, to be a part of this.” I have to say it’s almost better than being in Bellator to be honest with you in that situation, I mean, because now my whole family can come and watch me fight. It’s been so long since I’ve had people close to me and myself have everything around here like how I’ve had it, where I sleep, where I cut weight and all the above, and now training here at the new Combat Corner facility, so it’s like, “Oh man, I got it made.” So I’m blessed. And yeah, this is going to be an epic night.
How do you prepare mentally and emotionally for a fight?
As I do for every fight, it’s just a fight. As crazy and as simple as that sounds, it’s just another man in my way that I need to take out to get to where I need and want to get to: turning my dreams into reality. I see everyone as Goliath that I need to take out.
What are your long term goals in MMA?
Whatever it takes, whatever it takes to be a world champion. Honestly, that’s the only reason that I am fighting. But, you know, I’m also a realist. It may never happen, and that’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I still want to be able to go out and leave a legacy, leave a history.
What are your specific training techniques or routines?
My biggest thing is taking care of my body. A lot of guys I know don’t foam roll enough, don’t stretch enough, don’t do a lot of mobility, flexibility work, all the above, breathing. I really, I flow through everything just like it was the night of the fight (especially the closer the fight gets). So I love to put my favorite songs on, get in my type of way, get in my mood and my mindset, and it is, it’s all about mindset. Everything that I see, I envision, I know I can do, and I’ll go out there and make it happen because my game plan is simple.
I’m going to go out there and win by any means necessary, whether I choke them out, whether I knock them out, whether it’s three or five rounds and an ass whipping to just show complete domination, to show that I am better in every single aspect of the game. I train too hard. My nickname (one of many) is “Overtime,” so that’s what I expect out of myself. I expect nothing less, and I expect nothing but the best.
Do you have a message for your fans and supporters that have been with you through the highs and lows?
I love you all. Peace, love, and hakuna matata, and that’s for everybody. I am all about love, man, to know me is to love me. I have no hate, no resentment, no remorse, no nothing for anyone. I have no room for that in my heart. Life is too short to be holding on to any of that, and I want to see everybody grow and prosper, no matter what it is, in any area of their life.
The outcome
Pro MMA fighter Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez recently faced off against Peter Petties in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This match was supremely significant for Emmanuel because he was bouncing back from a five match losing streak, and this fight would prove if he was here to stay or not. On top of that, this pivotal match was in El Matador’s hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Emmanuel not only had the weight of his combat career on his shoulders but he also couldn’t let down his fans, friends, and family. Days before the fight, we sat down with Emmanuel and talked through his journey, his techniques, and his philosophy on life.
CRNR Pro Team
Emmanuel Sanchez is part of the Combat Corner Pro Team. Our Pro Team encompasses world champions in every area of mixed martial arts, from Belal Muhammad (UFC Welterweight #1 Contender) to Tierra Brandt (4x IFMA World Champion) to Kai Kamaka (Bellator Featherweight Champion) to Taylor Starling (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship Winner). Learn more about our pro team below.
