Joey Tizzano picks up where he left off against Isaiah Monroe at CFFC 82 on Aug. 12
Joey Tizzano is preparing for the same opponent twice.
Tizzano’s featherweight matchup with Isaiah Monroe was pushed back from March 21 to Aug. 12 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Instead of competing for the third time in Atlantic City, NJ, Tizzano will face Monroe at CFFC 82 inside an empty 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA.
After losing the original bout 12 days before the event, the circumstances of the bout changed for Tizzano. His preparation is different, but the preferred outcome remains the same as before.
“It’s definitely not the same but at the end of the day, I am stepping in the cage and I’m fighting someone and that is staying the same,” Tizzano said.
“I kind of felt like whenever the CFFC was going to have another card, they were going to try and slate this fight again.”
Where he left off
Tizzano spent all of his training at his home gym, Miller Brothers MMA in Sparta, NJ. Unlike his first camp, Tizzano was unable to get some training at Nick Catone MMA in Brick, NJ.
Another factor that is different the second time around is UFC lightweight Jim Miller will not be in Tizzano’s corner. The 35-time octagon veteran has cornered Tizzano in his last five bouts, including both of Tizzano’s professional fights for the CFFC.
“I’m still training for the same guy, but I’m not getting in the full amount of guys I would normally have,” Tizzano said. “I got a small group of guys at the gym I am able to work with.”
Monroe
At 5 feet 7 inches, Tizzano is still preparing to face a taller fighter in Monroe, who is 6 foot. Monroe will make his professional debut against Tizzano after going 7-2 as an amateur.
Monroe may have a reach advantage, but four out of his seven previous victories have come by submission.
Tizzano is unbeaten at 2-0 as a professional. He most recently earning a unanimous decision against Troy Sterling, the younger brother of UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling, at CFFC 74 in May 2019.
Previously, Tizzano finished six-straight fights by TKO, including his professional debut where he picked up a second-round finish against Benjamin Allen at CFFC 72 in February 2019.
He is known to put away guys on his feet, but sees himself as more complete fighter than Monroe
“I look at him like a pretty well-rounded fighter. I expect the best Isaiah Monroe come Aug. 12,” Tizzano said. “I’m honestly looking that everywhere this fight goes, I am going to be better.”
Building a name
It’s been a year since Tizzano fought under the CFFC banner. After two of his opponents dropped out of his CFFC 77 bout in August 2019, the 23-year-old waited to return in March.
The COVID-19 pandemic had other plans for him. Tizzano is in no rush with his career. He wants to take his time on the way to a potential CFFC strap.
Monroe is the next step of this journey. It’s one Tizzano waited for.
“I almost look at myself as a not talked about prospect, I feel like a lot of people don’t know my name, but that’s OK,” Tizzano said. “I want to build myself up a little more, make sure I’m ready for these big fights because these guys in this weight class fighting in this promotion are no joke.”
