When you grow up with a boxing coach for a father; you’re automatically born with a certain type of hunger for competition. Discipline is second nature, should you choose to use it. For Luke Fernandez, this is true as he hopes to earn his second amateur win under the Cage Fury Fighting Championships banner on March 12.
As fans have seen in recent years, the next generation of MMA fighters have been training since they were small. Most become well-rounded mixed martial artists early-on, and have parents who train or support their dreams to the fullest. For Luke, growing up in a supportive household has further added to his hunger to succeed. Evidently, a championship mindset and smart worth ethic was instilled at a young age.
“My father being a boxing coach and all, I feel like I’ve been training boxing my whole life, on and off.”
Training MMA consistently now since gyms re-opened during the pandemic last year, Fernandez is now ready to give the fight game his all. “MMA just felt natural for me,” said Fernandez. “I have a good wrestling base and I learned boxing with my dad so my need for competition drove me to MMA.” The New Jersey product now looks to pick up his second win as an amateur, and then rack up as many fights before going pro by the end of the year.
Though big things are on the horizon, a tough test awaits Fernandez in Devante Crawford at CFFC 93. But know, he isn’t looking past it. “[Crawford] seems like he’s confident in himself, and I expect that he’s been training just as hard as me,” said Fernandez. “But Friday night we will see who really wants it.” The light heavyweight prospect is confident his technique and pressure will secure the victory.
“I believe in my ability in all apsects of my game and I plan to showcase all of my tools in this fight.”
It’s clear that Fernandez is proactively adding to his skillset after picking up his first victory at CFFC 87 with a first-round Americana. Getting to make his MMA debut during the pandemic, with more consistency in his training schedule, the best is truly yet to come.
Fernandez is only 25 years old and already looks like a promising prospect to watch. With solid fundamentals already; and the wrestling needed to succeed in the sport, adding a submission game will further make him a problem in the slim regional light heavyweight division.
Win, lose or draw, Luke Fernandez was bred for this game. He hopes to showcase just that on March 12. Catch him on the Facebook Prelims of CFFC 93 at 4:15pm EST.
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