Budding Gulf Coast mixed martial arts and combat sports promotion Empire Fighting Championship will be hosting its 6th event on Saturday, October 17th, from Biloxi, Mississippi. Making his second appearance with Empire FC, Jordan Loren will be featured on that card. Loren is a promising 2-0 amateur, but he has his work cut out for him as he takes on Mid City MMA’s Evan Fremin. Follow along as we go one-on-one with Jordan and ask about his start in combat sports, and what we can expect from him on the 17th.

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

I got into fighting when I was very young. I remember watching Dragon Ball Z, WWE, and movies like Unleashed. What got me in the gym was a result of some trouble I got into when I was 12 years old, which got me kicked out of school. My parents put me in the summer camp at Alan Belcher’s MMA Club and the rest is history!

Where are you training, and who’s been helping you most along your journey?

I am training out of American Top Team Gulfport. As far as training partners go, everyone who’s been helping me train for this fight deserves a shout-out, especially my coaches Mike Sanford and Brandon Davis.

“Jiu jitsu was my first love in martial arts, no doubt, but my confidence I believe is my biggest strength.”

What was it like the first time that you stepped into the cage?

I was 16 years old the first time I fought, but still to this day it’s one of the greatest moments of my life. I remember walking out looking at the crowd and taking it all in. It was a lot, but I wasn’t overwhelmed. I felt as comfortable as if it my bedroom I was walking into. On top of that top was the immense amount of pride and accomplishment I felt getting my hand raised after one round, and I was hooked.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

Jiu jitsu was my first love in martial arts, no doubt, but my confidence I believe is my biggest strength.

“From what I’ve seen he’s got a good double-leg, but I’m no slouch anywhere the fight goes!”

Your first fight was in 2016, and you didn’t return to the cage until 2020. What was the cause for that delay?

I was at the end of my junior year in high school when I had my last MMA fight before graduating in 2017. Plus, a lot of terrible personal things began to happen to me leading up to my high school graduation, causing me to feel burnt out when it came to the gym, so I took a hiatus from the sport.

Saturday, October 17^th, you’re fighting Evan Friman for the Empire FC amateur Bantamweight belt. What do you think he brings to this fight?

I know he’s gonna be tough! He comes from a good gym, and from what I’ve seen he’s got a good double-leg, but I’m no slouch anywhere the fight goes!

“Quarantine has given me a lot of time to improve my game.”

What would winning the Empire Bantamweight belt mean to you?

That would mean champ-champ status, right???

Fighting has obviously given you a lot. But, has it taken anything away?

Of course, if you spend a lot of time on one thing, it’s gonna take away from other aspects of life, but I know what I’ve signed up for!

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

Initially, when the quarantine happened it was chaotic and it was causing me anxiety, because no one knew when things were gonna get back to normal. With that being said, the quarantine has also given me a lot of time to improve my game.

Anyone that you’d like to thank before your upcoming fight?

I’d like to thank my coaches, training partners, all my sponsors, and last but not least my parents, who are my biggest supporters. Without them none of this would be possible.

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 Jordan in his upcoming fight with Evan Fremin at Empire Fighting Championship 6 on Saturday, October 17th, from Biloxi, Mississippi. To purchase tickets or to learn more, please visit Empire FC on Facebook.