by Matt Marquardt –
CLEAR LAKE – Mixed-martial arts fighter Mike Estus is preparing for what he calls the biggest fight of his career.
Estus, 29, of Clear Lake, will be throwing down on May 19th at the North Iowa Events Center against Dan Black, a 25 year-old fighter from Sioux City. Their fight will be for the 155 lb. Iowa Challenge title. They will be fighting at a catch weight of 166 lbs. The title holder will defend at 155 lbs.
(TOP PHOTO: Mike Estus warms up for his workout at Cutting Edge Fitness in Clear Lake.)
“Its been a long road for me, I had some ups and downs, but now its all together,” Mike said of his career to this point. “This is all I have, school is not for me,” Mike explained.
Mike says he hopes this fight leads to bigger and better things for him, perhaps even a shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the premier fighting league in the world. “My mother motivates me. I want to go big and take care of her, and make my dad in California proud.”
“After I win I’m going to hand my mom the belt because she is my champ.”
Mike is originally from California, but graduated from Mason City High School. He started out as a boxer, training in Charles City, at age 18 and had a 6-2 record before notching a 1-1-1 record as a pro. Mike finally turned to mixed-martial arts at age 26 after seeing some of his boxing opponents gaining success in that sport. “I knew I could do it if they were doing it,” he said. Mike now has a 1 and 0 record as a pro and has won 4 straight overall.
(BOTTOM PHOTO: Valentine Flores, Jason Laube and Mike Estus at Cutting Edge Fitness. Laube is Estus’ and Flores’ strength and conditioning coach as the two fighters prepare for bouts on May 19th in Mason City.)
Mike splits training time between Cutting Edge Fitness in Clear Lake, under the guidance of gym owner Jason Laube, and a Waterloo gym where he gets specialized training in the finer points of wrestling, jiu-jitsu and other fighting styles.
One of Mike’s training partners is Valentine Flores, a 19 year-old fresh out of Mason City High School’s wrestling room. Flores will also be fighting on May 19th at the same event. He said he didn’t know much about his opponent yet, but was looking for video to watch.
Mike has also been given MMA pointers from the likes of Nick Diaz, Pat Curran, Josh Neer and Greg Halsor, all successful fighters. “I grappled with 2 Brazilen Black Belt,” Mike said, and trained at Lodi, California with UFC fighters Neer and Cody McKenzie.
Mike says his training has been grueling but it will all be worth it if he wins. He eats no read meat, drinks soy milk and avoids carbs as part of his diet. “After weigh-ins I’m eating a big mac, ice cream and Mike and Ikes,” he said.
The pre-fight weigh-ins will be held May 18th at 7 PM at the Island Bar in Clear Lake, 619 Buddy Holly Pl.
The fight is Saturday, May 19 at at 7:00pm at the North Iowa Events Center, formerly known as the North Iowa Fairgrounds. Tickets are available at The Island Bar.
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