UNCASVILLE, Conn. – It took him a little longer than expected, but Justin Gonzales is all business now that he’s reached MMA’s big leagues.
Serious, confident, and energetic, Gonzales (11-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is fired up to be a member of a major promotion’s roster. After being passed over on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019, Gonzales won an LFA title in 2020.
In the weeks that followed, Gonzales signed with Bellator MMA – a choice he already thinks was the right one. Friday at Bellator 260, Gonzales (11-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his promotional debut against Tywan Claxton.
“Man, I’m pumped,” Gonzales told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I’m blessed. I’m excited to be here. I’m ready to handle business, man. It’s like I said before. It’s long overdue, so it’s time. It’s time to settle this and show the world what’s up.”
Gonzales, 30, has gone 20-0 in MMA competition if you factor in his amateur fights. His 11 professional wins have come in a variety of ways with six unanimous decisions, four stoppages due to strikes, and one submission. His mixed martial arts experience comes on the heels of a collegiate wrestling career, which included being teammates with former UFC interim champion Justin Gaethje at the University of Northern Colorado.
An experienced fighter who isn’t weathered by the mileage, Gonzales feels ready to make an instant impact..
“I think Friday night I’ll show when I make an impact,” Gonzales said. “The world will know who I am, and they’ll see what’s up, man, and then we start climbing those rankings. Like I said before, too, the ranking in a ranking system, to me, that’s a hit list. I want a piece of every one of them, and I want that belt. That’s why I’m here. So whatever I got to do to get it.”
Having been passed over and ignored by promotions in the past, Gonzales wants to capitalize on the opportunity now that it’s finally here. If anything, the past has added a chip to his shoulder – and he plans on taking his pent-up energy out on Claxton (6-2 MMA, 6-2 BMMA).
“We’re not here to f*ck around; excuse my language,” Gonzales said. “But yeah, dude, I feel like I should have been here a couple of years ago. I should already be well into my journey. But hey, as I said, my journey is a little bit different than everybody else’s. I got to play the hand I’m dealt, so I’m ready to do this. And like I said, man, we ain’t here to f*ck around.
“… You know, I’m coming to prove a point. So no disrespect to Tywan. I know he’s very tough. I’ve got much love for the guy. I don’t really know him personally, so I can’t comment on his personal life. But in that cage, man, I know I’m coming to kill, so I plan on getting the stoppage and making a statement, jumping in those rankings, and then run with it. It’s ‘The J-Train Show’ now, baby.”
Bellator welcomes ‘The J-Train Show:’ Justin Gonzales ‘ain’t here to f*ck around’