Q and A with Aaron “Tex” Johnson

GeorgiaFighters.com took a moment to sit down with Aaron “Tex” Johnson after his big Friday, July 24 win at Wild Bill’s Fight Night.

Here’s our Q and A session with Tex.

GF: How’d you get the nickname Tex?

Tex: I moved to Douglasville from Texas 8 yrs ago and I wrestled and played football in high school and the nickname just stuck with me.

GF: What got you into fighting MMA and what is your amateur and pro record now?

Tex: I started fighting as a means to have a release in a controlled environment. I first started training under Steve Headden at Knuckle-Up in Douglasville, Ga two years ago. I am extremely thankful for Steve for providing me the oppty to train with him and his team.

My amateur record is 4-0 and my pro record is 3-1. I also have fought in amateur muay thai events with a 5-0 record.

GF: Did you play other sports in high school or college?

Tex: I started playing football as a freshmen in HS. I was a nose guard and linebacker for Chapel Hill HS in Mesquite, Texas and joined the wrestling team as a senior to get experience in another contact sport. Needless to say I am glad that I made that decision as there is a lot of wrestling in BJJ!

GF: What gym do you train out of and who are your trainers?

Tex: I train at Alpha Fighting Systems in Hiram,  Ga. My coach is Jimmy Long and my trainers are Scott Sarratt and Mike Soprano. Since coming to Alpha I have really taken the skills that I have learned at Knuckle-Up in Douglasville and really focused on my BJJ fundamentals. I enjoy the ‘family’ aspect of Alpha…they are a very supportive group of guys and I like having a strong support system around me.

GF: The word from many fighters is that you need to step up and fight a harder fight in Atlanta? What are your thoughts? Are there any guys you’re looking at? Names flying around around 185 lbs are Cale Yarbrough, Dave Mewborn, Brett Chism, Clint Hester rematch, Dymond Jones, Warren Thompson.

Tex: Let’s make sure that we give credit where credit is due. I am really appreciative to all the guys I have fought here in Georgia. MMA is a tough sport and I give credit to anyone who competes. I am always looking to improve upon my last fight. I was a little discouraged after this last fight with Steve Sawyer because my game plan was to knock him out and show everyone that I do have a stand up game too. It just so happens that he shot in on me and I had to use my ground game to secure the win.

We have asked for a rematch with Clint Hester through a couple promoters but we have not been able to come to terms to fight again. Clint is a great fighter and in our last match I felt like I was in control until I got cut. I would love to have the oppty to fight him again.

The others you mentioned would be a great fight as well. My plan is to fight on August 29^th against Johnny Buck out of NC on KOKings fight card, he is 2-1 and he is fighting on August 1^st in Illinois prior to our bout. I hope he does so well we can both be 3-1 when we compete at the end of August.

The guys at Sponsored Fan are working on getting me in the 185lb Grand Prix that Sin City Fight Club is putting together for later in the year. If any of those guys you mentioned happen to be in the Grand Prix, I guess you and others in Atlanta will get what you want and see me vs. one of those great competitors.

It would be a real honor to fight anyone on that list that you mentioned, as they are all great fighters and great people.

GF: Who’s your favorite MMA fighter?

Tex: Wanderlei Silva, so it was a true honor to meet him last Friday and I appreciate the work Lance and Mike with Toe 2 Toe and David Oblas did to bring him to Atlanta.

GF: What goes through your head before a fight, do you get nervous at all?

Tex: It’s funny, I get that question a lot. Going into the ring for me is like you going to your office. It is just another day and I am there to make money and put on a show for the fans. Participating in this sport is great b/c I get to mingle with my fans prior to and directly after my fight. I am very thankful for what I do to make money.

GF: Tell us about your training? What do you enjoy the most about training and the worst?

Tex: The preparation for a fight is the best part. I love to compete. The one thing I have to do is manage the highs and the lows; I have had plenty in my short time in this game.

GF: You recently signed with Sponsored Fan. Tell us about how that has benefitted you.

Tex: I fight. They manage.

Since signing with Sponsored Fan I have been able to focus solely on training and put all my efforts into preparing for the next competition/fight and they handle the rest.

They have been able to find sponsors for me and have helped me in my all around preparation and have kept me grounded and on track for each fight.

I have one job to do, compete and Sponsored Fan handles the rest.

GF: Is there anything else that you’d like to add?

Tex: I want to thank all my teammates for coming out and supporting me Friday night.

I have definitely found a home @ Alpha!

I would also like to thank my sponsors:

Miller Lite for all the great gear!
Fitness Depot of Douglasville for your continued support.
VPX and Xingtea for keeping me hydrated and ready for action.
Omega Attire for the great walkout shirts you help produce!
Bullet Fight Gear for the short sponsorship.
I would also like to thank Sponsored Fan for the work they do on a daily basis for me and the rest of the guys on their roster.

What do you readers think? Does Tex have what it takes to defeat a Dave Mewborn, Clint Hester, Cale Yarbrough, Dymond Jones and Warren Thompson?