Mario Diaz “Ready to perform” at U.S.K.A: Muay Thai in the Cage
Mario Diaz, a 17-year-old fighter out of Jack’s Gym in Newark, Delaware always knew he wanted to compete in the ring or cage. When his friend and former Jacks Gym fighter, Cameron Keys recommended Diaz to his training facility, Diaz didn’t second guess the offer. Upon training at the facility, he’s become “a sponge” as his head coach and professional kickboxer, Brima Kamara says.
“I’ve always wanted to take up some kind of combat sport,” Diaz says. “If I just put the time and effort in, I’d be able to envision myself (fighting successfully).” In the short time, Diaz has spent at Jack’s Gym, he feels his keys to success is, “obsessing over technique,” Diaz says to the point.
“I put him in there with the advanced guys,” Diaz’s head coach, Jack’s Gym owner, and professional kickboxer, Brima Kamara says. “He holds up with them,” Kamara emphasizes.
This Saturday, June 26th, Diaz will put his training to the test when he steps into the cage for the first time. He’ll be taking on Ashton Heffner, who has one fight to his resume. “I watched his first bout,” Diaz says. “I think he has good technique,” he credits Heffner. “But watching that fight, I feel like I have more to offer. More to bring and I’ll be able to use that to my advantage,” Diaz confidently says. “He’s a good technical fighter. I’ll give him that and it won’t be easy. But I feel like I got it,” Diaz expresses with certainty. “He’s strictly a Thai-fighter. So, he throws more leg kicks than hands and I feel like I can exploit that,” he says.” Predicting an early stoppage suggesting, “Either a kick to the body or a kick to the head.”
Tune in above to check out the interview in its entirety. Jacks Gym’s 17-year-old debut fighter, Diaz talks about training in martial arts, his will to take it as far as he can, how he’ll defeat his opponent and so much more!
