Sign up for email newsletters

Sign up for email newsletters

Justin Gonzales doesn’t really mind walking into a fight with an arena full of people rooting against him.

But when he does exactly that this Saturday in Honolulu, Hawaii, he plans to make sure that by the end of his night, at least a chunk of those fans put aside their civic duty long enough to recognize the “J-Train” is a ride that is once again moving steadily forward, with plenty of room for passengers.

Gonzales — a Greeley native and a Northridge High School and University of Northern Colorado alum, who has adopted the nickname “J-Train” throughout his fighting career — takes on Hawaii native Kai Kamaka III during the Bellator 279 mixed martial arts event, which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday in Blaisdell Arena.

Gonzales carries a 12-1 record (1-1 in Bellator) into his 145-pound bout against Kamaka II (9-4-1, 3-0 in Bellator). They will square off on the preliminary card, which can be viewed live on Pluto TV and YouTube.

For perhaps the first time in his budding MMA career, the 30-year-old Gonzales might be considered by some a slight underdog.

He’s coming off the first loss of his professional career — falling to Aaron Pico by unanimous decision Nov. 12 in Hollywood, Florida, during Bellator 271. And, he’s also venturing into enemy territory, as the fight takes place in Kamaka’s home state.

Gonzales said he plans to use it all as sheer fuel, dead set on returning to the win column.

“The odds are kind of against me right now,” Gonzales said. “Obviously, coming off an ‘L,’ and now going into hostile territory (Kamaka) is going to have some support from the hometown people. But, you know, as the fight goes on, I’ll break him down. I think some of those fans are gonna turn and they’re going to become my fans.”

In the unforgiving sport of MMA, there is perhaps no better display of a fighter’s character than when he or she is reacting to a recent loss.

Gonzales has been training feverishly the past couple months to prove he’s moved past, and grown from, that heartbreak he felt this past November in Florida.

“I took (that loss) pretty personal,” Gonzales said. “But sometimes, you take a loss and you come back stronger. It kind of reminds you of some things and puts a fire under your butt. I really do feel like a better fighter. I feel like I’ve evolved. I’ve grown. It’s made me stronger as a person, made me stronger as a fighter. I’ve grown a lot from it.”

Still, Gonzales knows he won’t quite be the unanimous favorite when he walks into the Blaisdell Center this weekend — not in the eyes of some pundits and certainly not in the eyes of the partisan crowd of about 8,000 fans.

Just don’t mistake any kind of slight underdog mentality Gonzales may have with a lack of confidence.

“Kai’s tough, man,” Gonzales said. “I need to make sure I’m on. I just think as long as I do what I always do, I think I’m a better fighter, better striker, better grappler. And I think I can dictate wherever the fight goes and do what I want to do. … As long as I do that, there’s no doubt in my mind, I’m gonna get my hand raised at the end.”

— Bobby Fernandez covers sports for the Greeley Tribune. Reach him at (970) 392-4478, by email at bfernandez@greeleytribune.com or on Twitter @BobbyDFernandez.

Sign up for email newsletters

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

Count on better banking at High Plains Bank in Keenesburg for a full range of personal banking services, from checking...

Habitat Apartments is the address for comfortable pet friendly apartments in Boulder. There are eight floor plans to fit your...

How long should your hardwood floors last? With proper care, hardwood floors can last decades. Boulder Hardwood Flooring can help...

J Day’s Appliance is the top choice in Loveland to save money on appliances and repairs. They carry a full...

Flagstaff Academy has announced open enrollment for the 2022/2023 school year. New families and parents of K-8 students are encouraged...