Titan FC Signs Elias Garcia – Pettis’ Cousin “We Have Completely Different Fighting Styles”
Elias Garcia, another Roufusport product announced his signing with Titan FC Monday afternoon on his Facebook account. Garcia comes from a family of elite fighters as his cousins are UFC fighters Sergio And UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
Garcia, 22, will fight in his first bout for the orgnization in less than two weeks in Lowell, Massechusetts. Titan FC 32 – Gray vs. Madsen takes place at the Tsongas Center. Still without an opponent, Garcia continues to train and prepare for his opportunity with Titan FC. While on his returning flight from his cousins successful title defense, Garcia received a call from his coaches about a fight opportunity Titan FC was offering him.
“I was shocked at first,” Garcia said, in regards to the opportunity he was offered. Garcia is still a young fighter at 3-0 as a professional fighter. He has never left Wisconsin for a fight and jumped at the chance to display his talents in Lowell, Massachusetts. “It means the world man, busting my butt in the gym, just praying for opportunities like this. It’s just going to get me to the next spot I want to be and eventually the UFC.”
As his takes his first short notice fight less than two weeks away, Garcia doesn’t see it being a challenge. While preparing for a fight of his own in Wisconsin in January, Garcia was helping his cousin Sergio and Roufusport teammates Dustin Ortiz and Chico Camus prepare for their UFC battles. Sergio Pettis left UFC 181 victorious as well as Chico Camus leaving with a win on UFC Fight Night. Ortiz fell by unanimous decision on the same fight card to a tough Joseph Benavidez.
Garcia’s original Titan FC opponent had to exit from the bout due to an injury. He’s waiting on a call about whom his replacement will be. In the meantime, Garcia continues training at one of the best MMA gyms (Roufusport) in the nation. Roufusport provides elite striking training for a wrestler like Garcia. The Milwaukee based gym also provides an elite level of fighters at their gym in Garcia’s weight class.
“Milwaukee is the most underrated fight city in the world.” Former US Combat Sports Editor Paul Fladten mentioned. Milwaukee continues to pump out quality fighters that climb the ranks through hard fought wars. The 125-pound fighter has been adopted by Milwaukee as the fans love the action packed fights Garcia has been apart of.
“It was a golden opportunity. How many people get to train with the best in the world.” Garcia said. At the age of 19, Garcia made a decision to chase a dream and move to Milwaukee and train with his cousins Anthony and Sergio at Roufusport. The 5-foot-5 trekked across country to the Midwest from Anaheim, California. After deciding not to wrestle at Santa Ana College, Garcia made the decision to follow his heart and use his wrestling skills to his advantage in the MMA world.
As Anthony Pettis successfully defended his lightweight title against #1 contender Gilbert Melendez, and became the first MMA fighter to ever appear on the cover of a Wheaties Box, Anthony casts a large shadow over his division, let alone his own gym. As both his cousin’s Anthony and Sergio fight for the world’s largest MMA promotion, the shadow doesn’t faze Garcia, yet he admires the Pettis brothers.
“I learned that hard work really pays off and that its not just going to practice, its about the extra work you put in.” Garcia said when discussing what he has learned from his cousin’s success in the UFC. “Can’t just go to training every day and expect the same results. It’s all the extra work, extra running and extra lifts you put in.”
“We have completely different fighting styles,” The flyweight fighter said when talking about Anthony Pettis’ shadow. Garcia comes from a strong wrestling background and enjoys bringing his opponents to the canvas and using ground-and-pound. He considers his strength to be wrestling and has been dedicated in improving his overall fight game, but specifically his striking. “They (Anthony & Sergio Pettis) can’t get in there and fight the fight for me. When it comes down to it, it’s just me and them (opponent).”
Garcia is a big fan of leg-locks. His professional MMA debut was a submission victory via a heel-hook in the second round. In his second bout, he won via TKO half way through the third round. The Roufusport fighter’s last match was a unanimous decision over Alex Figueroa in Madison, Wisconsin. The ground based fighter told My MMA News Reporter Kyle Carroll that if he was able to pick how to finish a fighter, it would come via head-kick.
Be sure to keep an eye out December 19, 2014 for Elias Garcia as he fights in Lowell, MA. for Titan FC with Duke Roufus in his corner. Garcia is an exciting fighter with a strong supporting cast and is talented enough to join his cousin’s and teammates in the UFC.
