Name: Manny Bermudez Age: 21 Height: 5’9 Weight Class: Featherweight Record: 1-0 Fighting Out Of: Worcester, MA (South Shore Sportfighting) Next Fight: Mak Kelleher (CES 30 – Aug. 14th) So far it’s been a whirlwind of a year for featherweight Manny Bermudez. After amassing an impressive 8-1 record as an amateur, the 21-year old was slated to make his professional debut in April against Anthony Dill at Cage Titans 23. But Dill pulled out due to injury and was replaced by Tim Wheeler. However just days before the fight, Wheeler removed himself from the fight and told the promotion that he didn’t have time to train. Understandably, Bermudez was furious. “That was really irritating” Bermudez told MMAOddsBreaker. “It’s understandable when people drop out you know two or three weeks out with an injury. But when people come in with no excuse and they come in talking like they’re going to fight and last minute they don’t fight basically. It’s disappointing to my family and friends who watch me fight. In the end I never stop training, fight or not I feel like I’m always ready to fight.” Luckily for Bermudez, he only needed to wait two months as he made his professional debut at Cage Titans 24 in June against Manny Torres. The Massachusetts native came out on top, earning a first round TKO victory to notch his first pro win. While he was happy with the victory, the learning experience was the most valuable part. “The big difference between pro and amateur is obviously the knees and elbows. With each fight I learn a couple new things that I can work on. It always keeps me on my toes. But [with that fight] I couldn’t land as cleanly as I wanted to. Now it’s something that I’ve been working on a lot at the gym. It’s just those little tweaks that will make me a better fighter in the end.” Now four months after the fiasco at Cage Titans 23, Bermudez is set to make his CES debut on August 14th against Mak Kelleher at CES 30. Bermudez was elated when he got the call and was also somewhat surprised. “I didn’t even expect to fight for [CES]. I fought mostly for Cage Titans which is an awesome promotion. I haven’t really fought much at casinos or venues or anything like that. I’m actually looking forward to be able to fight in a different state, a different cage and venue. [They’ve got big names on the card] like Danny Lauzon and Matt Bessette. Those are some guys I’m interested in watching after my fight. His opponent Kelleher dropped his professional debut back in January at CES 27, losing via unanimous decision to Rico DiSciullo. Despite competing against a fighter coming off a loss, Bermudez is expecting an all out war. “I haven’t seen too much [tape] on Max, but I feel like he’s going to be a grinder and a tough kid. I’m looking forward to someone coming out and testing me. I always like to stepping up to the occasion like that who’s going to bring the best out of me and try to test me like that.” Ahead of this fight Bermudez is training like he always does at South Shore Sportfighting with hosts former UFC fighters Josh Grispi and Dan Lauzon. When he’s not in the gym, Bermudez is hitting the books at Bridgewater State College where he’s studying general management. While the balance between school and fighting can be stressful, Bermudez feels it keeps him focussed at all times. “It’s been hectic at times when it’s final weeks. Sometimes you’re just tired and you’re burnt out from schoolwork. Other times it’s really nice to have something totally different then school to focus on. I’m so I’m busy all the time doing both of those things, so it’s good to have different goals in both things. In school you need to academically succeed and fighting you have to push your body. I’m hoping to open up my own MMA gym [with my general management diploma]. I can get a job in most locations and I can work closely with something I love doing.” Make no mistake about it, Bermudez believes he will win this fight impressivly on August 14th. However he doesn’t plan to be wreckless in the cage, despite the fact that a quick finish in this featherweight clash could land him on the AXS TV broadcast portion of the event. “He’s a tough kid and I’m going to take whatever he gives me. I think it’s going to be a finish; I think it would be really cool to be on the broadcast, but at the same time I want just a really good hard fight. Hopefully make everyone proud. To me that’s just as important as getting out there. People are going to notice if I have a fight like that.” You can find Manny on Facebook at Manny Bermudez and he would like to thank his gym South Shore Sportfighting. You can listen to the full audio version of this interview on an Extra edition of The Parting Shot Podcast below (23 mins in)
