By Verne IronWing

FF: How is training going?

JF: training’s going good, no complaints.

FF: How is coaching going while you’re training?

JF: Coaching is a great learning tool. I coach when I don’t need to be training, so it’s not like it gets in the way of any of that. When we actually get down to sparing, it’s not like the guys say “Oh it’s my coach, I have to take it easy on him”, they come in and take my head off too…so, yeah, it’s not really a detriment to the fight.

FF: So did you have your opponent changed?

JF: Yes, yesterday. I was supposed to be fighting one guy and he pulled out, so now I’m fighting Alfredo Corona.

FF: What do you know about Alfredo?

JF: Well, not that much. I think he started fighting about the same time I did originally which was about six years ago. I took about five years off. I know he’s more of a ground guy, which I think is good for me, being a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu . I feel the ground is my strong suit. So I’m looking forward to a ground battle with this guy. My last couple fights ended pretty quick, so I’m kind of looking for more of a challenge.

FF: So how do you see this playing out, more on the ground or on the feet?

JF: Yeah, neither of us are really big strikers. So I think we’re going to come out and at some point its going to hit the ground, and I think once it hits the ground, he’s got enough skills to make it a good battle but I see myself probably finishing it by submission in the first round.

FF: How has going pro changed your life as far as fighting, training and life in general?

JF: It hasn’t really changed training too much, just because when I first came to Grudge saying I wanted to fight again I started training with the pro team. So I was already training pro rounds and training with the pro fighters. The one thing that has gotten more serious is my nutrition. My nutrition has gotten better. I’m dropping a weight class, going down to 45s from 55s. And doing it the right way. Its not going to be a big cut. I’m about fifteen pounds lighter than I usually am during camp. So I feel good…turning pro has given me more focus.

FF: Where do you see yourself in the next two years?

JF:  Who knows (laughs)…I’m actually turning 34 a couple weeks before the fight, so I’m kinda like one of the old guys on the team, but I have other careers so its nice that I don’t have the pressure on me to try and make something happen in the fight game. I’m trying to be smart and fight when I’m healthy, not push it just to force things. Hopefully in a couple years, I’ll still be fighting and if I can string a handful of wins together especially with my resume as being the Jiu Jitsu couch for the pro team at Grudge and a black belt. I think I could probably get a shot at the bigger shows if I put together a pretty good record over the next couple years.

FF: Anything you want to say to Alfredo?

JF: No man, I’m just looking forward to the fight pretty much. That’s about it.

Catch Josh’s fight against Alfredo Corona at the Fight to Win – MORTAL COMBAT  show FEB 25TH