One of the featured super-bouts on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Las Vegas at Sam's Town features John Valentine versus Arron Carson in a submission-only contest. They have fought previously with Valentine earning a win. It's Operation Knockout card, which is designed to help our Troops through Xtreme Couture's G.I. Foundation.
Valentine, who lives in Las Vegas, enjoyed a long relationship with the Utah Fight Game, overseeing a women's' MMA program at Shadow Valley Gym and working with SteelFist MMA. He also is a former pro MMA fighter who continues in combat sports as a world-class no-submission competitor. We appreciated the opportunity to chat with him about Saturday's bout.
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1) How is training going for the bout?
Valentine: My training has been solid, strong and consistent. I changed a few things around this time starting with my lifting and dieting protocols. I’ve had some really tough training partners who have taken every liberty of beating me up on a daily basis which is what you need to be strong going into the match.
2) What is a typical training day?
Valentine: Typical training day starts at 4:30 a.m. in the morning six days a week where I lift and get in cardio work. It can be grueling some days. In the afternoons following work and family obligations I get in targeted training focused on three disciplines in Jiu Jitsu, Judo and wrestling training from 6-8 p.m. about four days per week. It’s exhausting but the event and the cause keep me focused and motivated. A sense of purpose is powerful thing.
3) Tell us about Arron Carson? What are you expecting in the rematch?
Valentine: First I have nothing but respect for him. He reached out to me almost a week after our last match last year long before we had another opponent selected and asked for this rematch. He had some family situations that led him to want to do It again. His brother, a former vet who walked him out for our last match, passed shortly after that night and Arron wanted to honor his memory and give back to the vets. I was honored to see this and glad we could make it work. While he will bring war neither of us care much about winning, simply supporting the vets that night by killing each other live! I know he will bring his A game.
Our last match he was much stronger than I expected and his wrestling was in point as he slammed me and clearly out-wrestled me in the early part of the match up until I caught in the rolling heel hook. I expect him to be focused and more aggressive this go round. At 48 I am over 22 years his elder and I am sure he wants to test my cardio and that’s fine with me. I have a good game plan and expect nothing but fireworks. I am honored he stepped up and cares as much as he does. We both respect each other and I know when the doors close we are not friends again until they open. That mentality ensures a great show!
4) How has the effort to help the troops gone as the card approaches?
Valentine: The response has been overwhelming. The arena is almost completely sold out. Since the fight was announced response from my supporters have been crazy. Once again in the history of the 10-year event with the help of everyone and private donors I was able to generate almost $15,000 for the troops and in the end that’s all that counts, that’s all I care about. That's a lot of revenue for a sub grappling match. That’s what makes the training, weight loss and grind worth it. I am humbled that again we broke revenue records. We all can give back we just need to want to.
5) What are your fight plans after this?
Valentine: Following this fight I would like to get 100 percent healthy and either compete in the Jiu Jitsu Pan-American games in March followed by taking another crack at The World Championship in November 2020. I plan on dropping two weight classes from where I won previously in 2017. This will take some time to do it correctly. I also have some grappling super fight options on the horizon I’d like to explore.
6) Is there anything else you wish to add to our readers?
Valentine: I want to say thank you to my family, friends and coaches at Robert Drysdale Jiu Jitsu. My cage-side coaches have been with me for years. The decorated black belts, Utah’s own Brandon Guzzo and Gregory Kaleteich, have me laser-focused physically, spiritually and mentally so I thank them for their commitment.
Most importantly I want to say is thank you, thank you to all of those who stepped up and showed actionable support for our men and women in uniform. For those who stepped up so that the event could be a success. I am humbled and honored as is my opponent to put on a show that night for them as well. We both feel winning or losing really doesn’t matter all that matters is the people in the crowd and that the veterans benefit from one special night.
Thanks to everyone the Randy Couture Operation Knockout 10 for the Troops will be a success!
Good luck, John and Arron, we're proud of both of you.
