A Journey of Self Discovery
Donnie Liles makes a comeback
By CFL Publicity department
July 25th 2011, Pueblo Colorado-For Donnie Liles fighting is as natural as breathing. The former IFL and Strikeforce standout has been fighting as long as he can remember. “I was pretty much a street-fighter,” laughs Liles as he recalls his early days in the sport. “I did well as an amateur not because I had the best technique but pretty much because I was willing to do whatever it took to stop you, to shut you down.” Liles tenacity and determination carried him through much of his formative years as a perfect 12-0 record rounded out his days in the amateur ranks. He bounced around a bit from Chuck Daly’s Kongo Do then onto what was at the time the Toolshed where he found a home early on as a rising pro. Donnie’s noticeable talent soon caught the attention of the burgeoning International Fight League and he was recruited as part of team Razor-claws alongside Frank Shamrock and other names who would go onto star status.
Highs and Lows of a career
Despite parting ways with his then camp only a week before the biggest fight of his life on Strikeforce and versus the dangerous Pete “The Weapon” Spratt, Donnie gathered around him his veteran grappling Coach Keith Wilson and teammate Tori Adams, made a commitment to fight harder than ever and prevailed in a knockdown drag-out affair that would see Liles the victor. Reality soon set in however, and finding himself suddenly without a training gym after such a prestigious win led the trio to open their current home Roughhouse MMA and Fitness in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Donnie’s plan to continue his winning ways and furthermore prepare the decorated Adams for her debut would soon come to a screeching halt as the injury bug would strike a seemingly grim blow for the fighter. “My knee had been messing up and when I say that, it pretty much worked independently of the rest of my body chuckles Liles”, “I wanted to fight but knew that without surgery I was done”.
The Long Road to Recovery
Surprisingly, despite a 2 year layoff and as many surgeries, battling with weight issues as a result of inability to train and finding himself with a new baby on the way, the same tenacity that brought Liles success in the cage echoed in his daily life. The doctors were speechless at his recovery time and his tireless dedication has seen the weight continue to come off as he propels himself toward his former welterweight glory. Liles was who was 13-0 before he ever lost a fight and 4-0 as a pro realized that he was the same fighter he was the last 13 fights and has since expanded his camp which still includes Wilson and Adams, but now also includes Standup Coaches Gabe Charboneau and Pat Cross, respected corner-man Haven Torres and new management with the team at NuWorld Athletics. He is scheduled at present to fight Standout Colorado KO specialist Jeremy Kimball on October 1st and the plan to return to Strikeforce and beyond has been launched.
The Man formerly known as “Mad-Dog” should change his name to the “second coming”.. Donnie Liles my friends.. is back.
For booking information email gabe@nuworldmedia.com or by phone at 719-369-1138
Liles at right unloads
Donnie Liles makes a comeback
By CFL Publicity department
July 25th 2011, Pueblo Colorado-For Donnie Liles fighting is as natural as breathing. The former IFL and Strikeforce standout has been fighting as long as he can remember. “I was pretty much a street-fighter,” laughs Liles as he recalls his early days in the sport. “I did well as an amateur not because I had the best technique but pretty much because I was willing to do whatever it took to stop you, to shut you down.” Liles tenacity and determination carried him through much of his formative years as a perfect 12-0 record rounded out his days in the amateur ranks. He bounced around a bit from Chuck Daly’s Kongo Do then onto what was at the time the Toolshed where he found a home early on as a rising pro. Donnie’s noticeable talent soon caught the attention of the burgeoning International Fight League and he was recruited as part of team Razor-claws alongside Frank Shamrock and other names who would go onto star status.
Highs and Lows of a career
Despite parting ways with his then camp only a week before the biggest fight of his life on Strikeforce and versus the dangerous Pete “The Weapon” Spratt, Donnie gathered around him his veteran grappling Coach Keith Wilson and teammate Tori Adams, made a commitment to fight harder than ever and prevailed in a knockdown drag-out affair that would see Liles the victor. Reality soon set in however, and finding himself suddenly without a training gym after such a prestigious win led the trio to open their current home Roughhouse MMA and Fitness in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Donnie’s plan to continue his winning ways and furthermore prepare the decorated Adams for her debut would soon come to a screeching halt as the injury bug would strike a seemingly grim blow for the fighter. “My knee had been messing up and when I say that, it pretty much worked independently of the rest of my body chuckles Liles”, “I wanted to fight but knew that without surgery I was done”.
The Long Road to Recovery
Surprisingly, despite a 2 year layoff and as many surgeries, battling with weight issues as a result of inability to train and finding himself with a new baby on the way, the same tenacity that brought Liles success in the cage echoed in his daily life. The doctors were speechless at his recovery time and his tireless dedication has seen the weight continue to come off as he propels himself toward his former welterweight glory. Liles was who was 13-0 before he ever lost a fight and 4-0 as a pro realized that he was the same fighter he was the last 13 fights and has since expanded his camp which still includes Wilson and Adams, but now also includes Standup Coaches Gabe Charboneau and Pat Cross, respected corner-man Haven Torres and new management with the team at NuWorld Athletics. He is scheduled at present to fight Standout Colorado KO specialist Jeremy Kimball on October 1st and the plan to return to Strikeforce and beyond has been launched.
The Man formerly known as “Mad-Dog” should change his name to the “second coming”.. Donnie Liles my friends.. is back.
For booking information email gabe@nuworldmedia.com or by phone at 719-369-1138
Liles at right unloads
No comments:
Post a Comment