Unity’s rising star Tex Johnson travels to Sacramento this January 11th to take on local favorite Eliot Kelly for the Masters Black Belt NOGI title at Fight 2 Win 97.
A 3 Pan No-Gi champion and veteran of many event formats including F2W, IBJJF and ADCC, Tex has never shied away from a challenge and won’t now, with a belt on the line on the coast away from home.
Here’s more from Tex ahead of F2W 97.
Hey Tex. Tell the fans a little bit about your training background.
I train at unity Jiu-Jitsu with Murilo Santana and the Miyao twins. I draw influence from a lot of people. I really like the Miyao’s brother game and Murilo Santana’s game. It’s also been great working with Eddie Cummings. I like a smaller Jiu-Jitsu players game.
What has jiujitsu done for your life?
Jiu-Jitsu has given me a lot. It gives me things to look forward to and prepare for. It is also where I met my wife. I’m also socially awkward as in I like socializing awkwardly lol. It had given me a lot of good people in my life.
What’s your training schedule like?
I train hard every day. I don’t do much off the mats. I live in New York away from my wife so I can train. I don’t normally take rest days but when I do it’s filled food and ends by drinking some good beer.
What matters most to you?
Trying to find the meaning in the suffering that we have chose to go thru. Jiu-jitsu is full of ups and downs. The injuries and figuring out how to always come back better.
What’s one difficult thing you’ve had to overcome so far?
Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how Viktor Frankl. Nothing is too hard to overcome.
You compete all over the place? What formats do you like most?
I fucking love super fights. I really enjoy F2w. Tournaments have their own version of fun for me. I’m excited to be a professional athlete in Jiu-Jitsu.
What do you expect out of Eliot Kelly at F2W 97.
I expect lots of heavy top pressure. I’m hoping he wont try to just stall my guard out.
How have you prepared for this match? Anything specific for your opponent?
I will do nothing different for this matchup.
Do you have any message for your fans?
I have high expectations for myself so it should be a really good show
Any last words before the match? Anybody you want to thank?
I want to thank F2w and all my teammates at unity Jiu-Jitsu.
