There have been ample sacrifices that people around the globe have been forced to make throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, not the least of which has been perseverance in the absence of sports. Fight sport fans have been somewhat fortunate, with the UFC’s stubbornness to succumb to this disease, and the persistence of Dana White to put on shows for the last two months, despite other major sports organizations being unable, and/or unwilling, to do so. Following in the UFC’s footsteps, regional promotions from several states have begun booking and hosting fight cards with success. Atlas Fights looks to be one of the first promotions on the Gulf Coast to resume live fights, and they’ve got a stellar card in the works. Atlas Fights 54 - Biloxi MMA Beach Bash will be held on Saturday, August 1st, from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi. With the return of live fights, I wanted to reach out to some of the professionals fighting on this card to help have their stories told.

From a small city in southern Louisiana (just north of where Tabasco hot sauce is made), Justice Lamperez has burst onto the regional mixed martial arts scene as one of the top professional prospects. Justice is part of a new generation of fighters hailing from the Acadiana region, and in particular Gladiators Academy, that are integral in helping shape and evolve combat sports from that region and beyond. Justice is scheduled to fight JC Deleon at Atlas Fights 54 - Biloxi MMA Beach Bash on Saturday, August 1st, so I decided to reach out to him and see how things have been going.

Every superhero has an origin story. What’s yours? Where do you come from?
What got you into fighting?

I’m from a small town called New Iberia, (Louisiana). I got started with boxing from getting into fights in middle school.

“I can tell you (at Gladiators) there is no shortage of talent at anytime on the mat. You will never be the biggest fish for long.”

What’s a typical week like for you?

I work a construction job from 8 to 4 and train 3 hours at night, and on weekends I train
early and relax with my girlfriend and kids/puppy.

Obviously, Gladiators Academy is one of the top combat sports gyms on the Gulf
Coast. What can you tell me about the culture there, and what’s it like training
at Gladiators?

I can tell you there is no shortage of talent at anytime on the mat. You will never be the biggest fish for long.

Are there any notable fighters / trainers there that you’d like to shout-out?

AJ Fletcher, Renee Delhomme, Mike Bruno. (My) coaches are Javier
Gonzalez and Christian Fulgium, who always lead me into battle.

What do you like most about fighting? What do you feel is your biggest
strength?

(Fighting) is one of the only sports that hold you accountable for all your
actions. My greatest strength is my cardio and willingness to fight to the end.

What was it like the first time that you stepped into the cage/ring? What was
going through your mind?

(I) felt calm. After 2 combat tours it (was) just a fight (I knew I would survive).

You’re 2-1 as a professional, but you had 12 amateur fights. What was the
biggest thing that you learned in your amateur career?

I learned that game plans aren’t final, and I learned how to adjust mid-fight.

You’re fighting Juan Carlos Deleon, who’s also on a two-fight win streak.
However, he’s making his professional debut. Without revealing too much,
what do you think he brings to this fight, and what have you been doing to
prepare?

He brings big power in each hand, but (he’s) still very wild. I’ve just went
back too the beginning and put back on my boxing shoes.

“My greatest strength is my cardio and willingness to fight to the end.”

I see that you are military. Are you retired or still active? Do you feel like your
service has better prepared you for fighting?

I did my 4 years and got out, and yes, every fight I say (that) I’ve been through so much worse (before).

Who has been your biggest challenge in the cage thus far and why?

I’d guess it’s the guy who beat me, Marshall Mooney. (He) was a leg-lock specialist, (and there are) not a lot of
them in MMA. But I’ve worked that part of my game since that learning experience.

How have you been staying sane during the Covid-19 pandemic and the
quarantine? Has it affected your training at all?

I’ve loved it! I work so hard (that) I miss a lot of family time, so I got to catch up. No, it hasn’t (affected my training), (I) put down mats and trained with 4 trusted partners (and) life went on.

Do you have anything that you’d like to plug? Would you like to shout-out your
school/coaches?

As always, thanks (to everyone at) Gladiators for making me their
priority this camp and only caring about getting me better.

If you liked this article, don’t forget to share, like and subscribe - and go ahead and like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram @fightsportfocus. You can catch Justice in his upcoming fight with JC Deleon at Atlas Fights 54 - Biloxi MMA Beach Bash on Saturday, August 1st, from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Mississippi. To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.atlasfights.com/ or https://www.mscoastcoliseum.com.