Randy Patino is more well-practiced in many of the martial arts than you might expect of a 2-0 professional fighter.
The Michigan welterweight has a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu base, won a Golden Gloves state championship in boxing and grew up doing Taekwondo. He recently added Muay Thai to his repertoire after a three-month stint of training in Thailand. Patino said he wanted to get a different look at kicking, checking kicks and most importantly, clinch work. In addition to learning Muay Thai techniques, Patino also got to sharpen his Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling while overseas.
“[Thailand] is a mecca for fighting,” he told MMASucka. “You get really good training partners from all over.”
The well-traveled Patino also spent a month training Jiu-Jitsu in Hawaii, as well as time at Evolve MMA in Singapore and Monarchy MMA in Malaysia. When at home, Patino trains at Island Jiu-Jitsu Michigan, Muskegon Boxing Gym, and Patino’s Martial Arts.
Patino will bring his new techniques to the debut of a new Michigan regional promotion, Lights Out Championship. He’s slated to fight Micheal Gillmore (3-2 professional) on October 13.
“Mike’s a good fighter, a dangerous guy,” Patino said. “I just have to show up on point that day and fight up to my ability. Styles make fights. I just feel like I’ll have an answer for everything he has. I’ve had a bunch of amateur boxing experience and a bunch of Jiu-Jitsu experience.”
Patino, who’s fought both his professional bouts for Michigan-based promotion KnockOut Promotions thus far, is excited to fight on the inaugural Lights Out Championship card.
“I’m a local kid from the same town that [Lights Out Championship President] Matt [Frendo’s] from,” he said. “I’ve been around for awhile, not necessarily in MMA, but in the fight scene, and I sell tickets. It’s a smart move for Matt to have me on the card because he knows that I’ll sell tickets and put on a show. As far as growing with a company, that’s great. And it’s so close to home.”
Patino said that he’s looking to get 10 fights in on the regional scene before making the leap to a big organization. After that, he’s not choosy about what promotion he lands with, as long as he gets into one by mid-2020.
“ONE FC sounds great, RIZIN sounds good,” he said. “If the UFC happens, it happens. If Bellator happens, it happens. I’ve just got to keep winning fights and eventually, I’ll be where I want to be.”
Patino said he doesn’t know whether he’ll finish Gillmore via T/KO or submission, but that it will happen in the first or second round.
He makes his LOC debut Saturday, October 13 at the Deltaplex Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.
