Saturday night, at the Tennessee Sports Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Nashville MMA’s Dustin Ortiz will take on Knoxville’s Chris Wright for the Gameness Fighting Championship Bantamweight Title at “GFC 4.”

It makes sense for Ortiz to headline a show in Nashville. Although the 20-year-old Ortiz is originally from Goshen, Ind., he has lived in Music City for nine years and has been a crowd favorite at previous GFC events. He fights at 135 lbs. but looks bigger. He is stocky and athletic, and his style reminds one of the pit bull on the Nashville MMA logo where he trains.

Dustin Ortiz has only been training MMA for one year, and about eight months under the tutelage of Nashville MMA godfather Ed Clay. In that brief time he has amassed a 5-1 amateur record and is already headlining a fairly large event. That should give you an idea of what type of athlete we are dealing with in Ortiz.

PRO MMA (promma.info) spoke to Ortiz this week about Saturday’s event. He said he did not know much about his opponent but still felt it was a great match up. “I see the fight going my way, and I will dominate the fight,” said the confident Ortiz.

The young upstart credits Nashville MMA for the success he has had so far. “Training at Nashville MMA got me where I am now,” explained Ortiz.

A win over Chris Wright on Aug. 8 would not only win Ortiz the GFC Bantamweight Title, but would put him one step closer to his dream of making it to the “big show.” He knows what he wants. “My long term goals are to become a WEC champion and ultimately to inspire others,” said Ortiz.

He realizes it is not going to be an easy road. “It’s going to take time, dedication, and a lot of training,” he said. It is not hard to imagine Ortiz in the WEC one day once you watch him fight. He is definitely on the right track. There is no reason in the world not to believe he will succeed.

One thing is certain. Dustin Ortiz is serious about his future. He talked to us about just wanting to concentrate on MMA. “I train full time. I used to work a full time job, however I wanted to focus on training. The two together was too much. Outside of training I eat, sleep and do what I do,” said Ortiz.

Dustin said he ultimately wanted to “inspire others.” When you think about all the other things a young 20-year-old man could be out there doing, all the mischief they can get into, and then you take a look at someone like Dustin Ortiz who has devoted himself to becoming a top level professional athlete, he may not realize it, but he already is inspiring others.

By:  Jack Bratcher

One thought on “Dustin Ortiz prepared for “GFC 4” main event fight Saturday night in Nashville”
  1. This is going to be a great fight! Chris Wright looks to be a tough kid and this is a big fight for both of these guys.

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