Profile: Single White Male seeking Someone To Fight. Athletic, likes tattoos, mild-mannered, does not mind punches to the face but may punch back.
26-year old Josh Chaves has fought in just one of his last four scheduled fight cards. Chaves appeared on-time, made weight and came ready to battle; so why didn’t he fight? On the first occasion, the opposition backed out even though he carried a 20 lb. weight advantage over Chaves, and the second didn’t even show up to the weigh-ins.
Several months later a panicked promoter called in a favor looking for a fighter to fulfill an empty spot on an upcoming event. Chaves took the fight with only two days notice even though it required dropping 25 lbs. in 48 hours. After a grueling 36 hours to make weight, a hungry and tired Chaves stood on the scale when his cell phone rang. Chaves let it ring so he could read the scale resting at 154 lbs. (down from 180 lbs.), signaling that he made weight with 12 hours left before the fight. He stepped off the scale and answered only to hear: “Hey Josh the fight is cancelled. Sorry, the commissioner pulled the plug, but thanks for taking the fight”. Call ended.
The Chavez anathema seems to have ended two months ago during the International Fighting Championship’s Warrior’s Challenge where not only did his opponent show-up and the event did not get canceled, but Chaves got two for the price of one: two fights in one night. After submitting his first opponent by triangle, Chaves went back to the locker room to exit the arena when a gentleman came in to announce, “Hey Chaves you’re up again in twenty minutes.”
Unbeknownst to Chaves, the IFC’s Warrior’s Challenge was a four-man tournament and Chaves’ victory had just qualified him for the Finals. His next opponent: a Cesar Gracie student cornered by professional fighters and Jiu-Jitsu specialists, Nick Diaz and Gilbert Mendez. Needless to say they did not take it well when an unknown Josh Chaves submitted their fighter by arm bar.
With two opponents backing out and with two victories over opponents from renowned training camps, just how dangerous is Chaves? Frankly, we still do not know. Maybe someone clued in the shirking opposition that entering the cage with Chaves would prove itself a bad idea.
Regardless, on June 6th, Pure Combat’s Bombs Away match represents a crucial chance for Chaves to build his record, boost his confidence, and prove his ability to more opponents and fans. Those attending the fight in Visalia can tell us if there is reason to fear Chaves or if he is just another unknown who should remain unknown.
Chaves began training for MMA two years ago, soon after the birth of his daughter, with Pacific Martial Arts of Fresno, California and under the tutelage of Mike Popp. Since his training began with Muay Thai, Chaves prefers to strike with opponents even though his matches have ended with submission victories. On top of working a full-time job, Chaves maintains two part-time jobs, an aggressive cardio regiment, skills training and fatherhood.
To purchase tickets to Pure Combat’s “Bombs Away” and watch Chaves fight on Friday, June 6th, 2008 at 7:30 PM, or for more information visit: www.PureCombatMMA.com
For directions to the Visalia Convention Center: Click Here!
