Several Atlanta fighters have tried to challenge North Carolina’s Roger Carroll…they have lost.

Tim Stout fought Roger Carroll and lost in the second round. Clint Hester tried his hand at Carroll. That ended in one round with Carroll victorious.

Now it’s Tex Johnson’s turn this Saturday night at Wild Bill’s. What Tex has going for him, is the 24-year-old already has one victory over Carroll’s partner in crime, Johnny Buck.

While many people are looking forward to the Johnny Buck vs Sonny South fight this Saturday night because of the hatred they both are coming into the ring with, the Tex vs Roger fight is exactly the opposite with both fighters showing genuine respect for each other in a fight that is capable of stealing Fight of the Night honors.

GeorgiaFighters.com spoke to both guys only a few days before their fight this Saturday night at Wild Bill’s.

Who are you taking in this fight? Comment below!

Roger Carroll speaks:

GeorgiaFighters.com: You’re known as having all around skills. Tex is known for his jiu jitsu, but lack of standup skills. How do you plan to exploit that?
Roger Carroll: I plan on bringing my game to him no matter where the fight goes. I know Tex is tough, so I don’t listen to people who say he is weak in one are or the other.

GF.com: You’ve had some good wins in Georgia (Clint Hester, Tim Stout, George Allen). Do you think people are taking you too likely?
Carroll: Yeah I feel like we are starting to get a fan base in Georgia despite the turmoil that comes with cross state rivalries. I like fighting in Georgia . It is sort of like a mini vacation. The competition there seems to be well rounded. They are always tough. I just am grateful that they wont fight each other that opens up opportunities for me.

GF.com: What’s your vision for Sept 11 vs Tex? How do you see the fight ending?
Carroll: I feel like with Tex I have to be at the top of my game so I have to close all my doors and be ready. That is exactly what I have done. I see the fight ending explosively with a KO and my hand being raised.

GF.com: How have you been preparing for this fight? It’s a big main event fight at Wild Bill’s. How have you turned it up a notch?
Carroll: I have went outside of my comfort zones. Going to Joe Hurst constantly and rolling with high level jiu jitsu guys and sparring with some top notch boxers and kick boxers. Also I have listened to my support group and have quit drinking Monster Energy Drinks.

GF.com: In what areas do you see yourself as dominant over Tex Johnson?
Carroll: I feel that my biggest threat to Tex is that I am a well rounded fighter. I can wrestle, punch utilize elbows and I have a ground game, so I bring a whole package. Unfortunately, Tex has the cooler haircut and the ladies probably think he is better looking.

Tex Johnson speaks:

GF.com: Roger is known as average in all areas of the game. You have great BJJ skills but a lack of standup. How do you plan to get this fight to where you feel best?
Tex Johnson: First of, I think Roger is better than average in all areas of the game. He is a smart fighter and knows his strengths and weaknesses and he uses his strengths in fights and stays away from his weaknesses.

GF.com: Roger has some good wins in Georgia (Clint Hester, Tim Stout, George Allen). Do you think people are taking him too lightly? Have you watched his videos?
Tex: I have watched video on Roger. I saw the last fight with Clint and also the Tim Stout fight. I am not underestimating him at all. I am preparing for this fight like I always do. My training is going really well and I am confident in my game. Roger is a good fighter, you can’t beat all three of those guys you mentioned (Clint Hester, Tim Stout and George Allen) on accident. Roger has skills and I think this is a great opportunity for me to take another step up in competition.

GF.com: This is your first main event at Wild Bill’s since War Machine cancelled on us. Are you nervous at all going into this fight that Roger will back out?
Tex: I’m not nervous at all. You can’t really compare the War Machine situation to this one. I mean, the War Machine fight would have been good for my career and would have been great exposure and a lot of fun but as I have said before, it was disappointing to get the call that he backed out and I wanted the fight but stuff like that happens all the time and as a fighter I have moved on. I was able to get some good exposure from that opportunity as an article was written about me on MMAJunkie.com and i was interviewed by several MMA sites. Roger and I have mutual respect for one another. Unless Roger gets injured during training this week, I don’t see Roger backing out of the fight.

GF.com: What’s your vision for Sept 11th vs. Roger? How do you see this fight ending?
Tex: Me winning. I am going to find a way to beat Roger and we will shake hands and continue to hang-out at shows and support each other in our fight careers. I will either knock him out and address everyone’s concerns with my stand-up or I will submit him. Buy a ticket from me by emailing me at tex0401@gmail.com and come see the results for yourself!

GF.com: How have you been preparing for this fight? It’s a big main event fight at Wild Bill’s. How have your turned it up a notch?
Tex: Training is going really well. I took a couple days off after my fight last month in Biloxi, Mississippi where I submitted Brian Albin (current 205lb champ for Psychout Promotions) on the Atlas Fighting card in a non-title fight and then I got right back to my training routine. I’ve been training at Knuckle-Up in Sandy Springs, Defkon One, Smyrna Crossfit and with Jimmy Long. I am ready.

GF.com: In what areas do you see yourself as dominant over Roger?
Tex: I don’t mean any disrespect by saying this but I think my BJJ is better than his. Although Roger received his Brown Belt awhile ago and I just received mine from Steve Headden last month, I think that my ground game is better than his. I also think I am a better wrestler and although many people don’t think I have solid hands, I have been working on my stand-up and I am getting more comfortable on my feet.

GF.com: The last time you fought at Wild Bill’s you submitted one of Roger Carroll’s buddies, Johnny Buck in 13 seconds (according to MMA.tv fighter profile) who fights Sonny South on this card as well. What are your thoughts on this fight?
Tex: There is a lot of trash talk going back and forth between Sonny and Buck. The last time these two guys fought Buck definitely controlled the fight but Sonny says he is was sick and that was the reason he didn’t do so well. The only thing I will say is that Sonny hasn’t hesitated to call out Buck and trash talk. I think Buck is going to take Sonny down and punish him with his ground and pound.

GF.com: Any sponsors you would like to thank?
Tex: Of course, thank you for the interview and the exposure. GeorgiaFighters.com has been very good to me. I want to thank Fitness Depot of Douglasville, No Quarter, VPX-makers of Redline Energy Drink, Wholesale Health Direct, Caged Wear, Born 2 Bang Athletics, Arena Tavern and Lutador Grappling the best BJJ tourney in the Southeast! I also want to thank Jimmy Long, Steve Headden, Brian Dean and all my training partners at Defkon One and KnuckleUp. I also want to thank all the guys at Sponsored Fan for managing my fight career and getting all these great companies to support me. Email me at tex0401@gmail.com for ticket information. I want to fight in front of a packed out Wild Bill’s on September 11th!