Interview With Clay Hantz

By Lance Edwards

Some fighters don’t like to take short notice fights, but Clay Hantz (7-3) relishes the idea of replacing the injured Jesus Rivera (6-2) in the main event at Legacy against the veteran Brazilian Jiu Jitsu specialist Jorge “Macaco” Patino (26-13-1).

Legacy: How is it to take a fight at short notice?

Hantz: Short notice, or long notice it doesn’t matter. I train all the time, and can fight at the drop of a hat if needs be. It’s funny that good opportunities can suddenly drop into your lap, and that’s exactly what happened here. Funnily enough, this is the biggest opportunity I’ve had to date, and I can’t wait. It doesn’t change anything for me; just the process is a little different. Usually I have six to eight weeks to prepare, and in this case I have just two weeks. Processing the fight mentally has to happen on a bit faster scale, but that’s it.

Legacy: How long have you been training?

Hantz: I’ve been training almost six years now; it will be six in November actually. I’ve been professionally fighting three and a half to four years now. I actually played college football at Southwest Minnesota State, and while I was playing hurt myself pretty bad. I was told that I wouldn’t be able to do any athletic pursuit again following the surgery I had on my shoulder. I found Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and gave it a go, and my body held up. From there, I started MMA.

Legacy: Most of your wins have come by submission. Is that the area you focus on?

Hantz: It was the first thing that I started training, and it’s true, I’ve finished most of my fights by submission, but that’s by chance. The opportunities were there, and I took them. I actually am quite well-rounded.

Legacy: Where are you fighting out of?

Hantz: I fight out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and train with Octagon MMA under Sayif Saud, and with Nova Uniao USA, under Bruno Bastos.

Legacy: Do you have any predictions for the fight?

Hantz: It’s going to be fun; it’s going to be a good main event. I keep a fast pace and a high tempo, and I’m prepared. As a fighter, you search for finishes. No one aims to go to decision. How it comes is what presents itself; it’s more what opportunity there is.

Legacy: You’ve had televised fights before for Shark Fights. Does the event being televised affect you in any way?

Hantz: I don’t feel any added pressure; it’s just a fight to me. People like to see it as a sport, and like to think there’s added pressure, but I’m not sure that’s true. As for the increased press and exposure of an event like this, I see it as a benefit. I tend to do better and rise up to that level.

Legacy: Outside of MMA, what do you do?

Hantz: I have a full-time job as a warehouse manager for Birmingham Fastener, and when I’m not doing that or training, I like to spend time with my family and enjoy fishing. My days are full. I tend to be up at 5 AM and my days don’t end until 11 PM. Anytime I can take a day off and relax with my wife, that’s a good day, and doing nothing is really appealing.

Don’t miss Clay Hantz take on Jorge “Macaco” Patino for the Legacy Lightweight Championship in the main event of Legacy Fighting Championship 11 tomorrow night, live at the Houston Arena Theatre and on HDNet!

Legacy: Anyone you’d like to thank?

Hantz: I’d like to thank my sponsors and coaches, Covenant Homes, Windham Ranch, Barnhart Bolt, Octagon MMA and of course my wife. I’d also like to thank Legacy for the opportunity.