Billy Vaughan Interview

We know you have a solid wrestling background, but how did you get into mixed martial arts?

I kind of grew up with it. My whole family has been fighters, not troublemakers, but I grew up around fighting. I knew it was something I wanted to do since I was 15 or 16. Right after college, I transitioned into training. I found out it takes a lot of work. I’ve been training for about 4 years now.

Where do you train and in what style do you feel the most comfortable?

I train at Buckeye MMA in Columbus. We have an awesome team with some young up and coming fighters. Awesome coaches. I’d say, I like to stand and bang, but then again I’m comfortable anywhere. I love to stand up. That’s my new love.

In the state of Ohio, Cleveland and Cincinnati are the hot spots for up-and-comers in the sport of MMA. Being based in Columbus, do you have a hard time finding tough fighters to train with?

No, not at all. Our gym has a solid stable of lightweights. We have a heavyweight, Jason Riley, who’s fought in Strikeforce. Our lightweights are strong, and we have a lot of tough amateurs that could fight pro. I don’t have a hard time finding training partners at all.

You lost your first two matches in the NAAFS and then quickly rose through the ranks after your win against Ryan Lang. Talk a little about that match and your preparation leading up to facing Lang.

The big thing was, I never fought amateur. I went straight to pro’s by accident. I fought for HammerHouse a few years ago and it was a pro show. I didn’t know it was a pro show because I didn’t make money off of it. I tried to get switched back to an amateur, but they wouldn’t let me. I’m learning as I go. With the Dan Swift fight in the NAAFS, I was beating him 10-8 after the 1 st round. In the 2 nd round, I knocked him down 5 times with my striking. I was beating his head in. He came up with a submission and I learned from that. I learned that you can’t relax, especially on a guy like him. He’s going to capitalize. I’m learning as I go. I feel right now like I am at a good spot and it’s finally clicking for me. I am confident in my hands, on the ground, on the feet, doesn’t matter. I can fight anybody and I have the confidence in my skills. I am kind of finding my own style.

Did knowing that Lang was an All-American wrestler change your mindset coming into the fight? Did you work lots of takedown defense to get ready for him?

I knew he was a grappler. We are around the same age and I knew he was a 4-time State Champion, I saw him wrestle. He is a much higher caliber wrestler than I am, so I knew I wanted to keep it standing with him. I worked a lot on circling and throwing straight punches and then lots of takedown defense. That’s what I did right away against him. He came out, I hit him with a right, he dropped, and he was desperate for that takedown. I kept stuffing him and I finally took him down. It switches things up once you add strikes in there. I don’t care if you are a black belt, if I’m hitting you, it’s a whole different game. It doesn’t matter what belt you are.

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This Saturday, you’ll take on Donny Walker for the NAAFS Pro Series Featherweight Title. What do you know about Donny and what do you expect from him come fight night?

I’ve actually met Donny before. He’s a cool guy and I’ve never actually fought somebody that I’ve talked to before. I am intense, kind of emotional fighter. I am not looking at it as a sport, but I am looking at it as a fight. I’m going in there intense, ready to beat you up. I’m not going in there to talk before we fight. I don’t want to shake hands and wish you luck. If we are fighting, I don’t wish you luck. Donny is a good guy, and I know he’s a tough dude. I am going in like every fight, I’m going in to go for the kill and swing my hands. It’s a fight, so whatever happens, happens. I’m going to be ready no matter what. I know he’s a tough dude. When I fought Lang, he fought Nesto (Mike Nesto, to earn the NAAFS Featherweight Title) and I watched it. Not to take anything away from Walker, but I wasn’t that impressed. I walk around at ’45. I am going down to 135 after this fight and I want to fight the best in the world and keep going, but I’m not looking past Donny at all. I can’t look past him, but after this fight, 135 is in my future. Today, I walked out at 145. My weight is light, and I am excited for this fight. I know it is going to be my toughest fight to date and he’s going to be ready to take some punishment. I’m going to be ready to rock.

Since you will be fighting near Walker’s hometown, you are likely going to be at a disadvantage as far as fan support goes. How are you training to come into a hostile environment for the biggest fight of your career?

No. Not at all. When I fought Lang, people were cussing at me. I had my dad and my grandma there for that fight. I had people cussing at me. It’s whatever. He’s the hometown guy. It was silent when I came out, but it doesn’t matter. Doesn’t bother me at all.

Best of luck to you this weekend. Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

I want to thank my dad. He’s been with me this whole time and he’s my biggest fan. He is with me no matter what and he believes in me 100%. After this fight, we’re looking for bigger things. I’d like to thank my dad, my coaches, my teammates, and that’s it.

By Curt Heinrichs
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer