CRESTVIEW — Chris "The Frustrator" Francis remains undefeated after last week's Fighters Source amateur mixed martial arts tournament across the pond.
Francis, representing the United States MMA team, beat Robert Masters in the league’s Sept. 27 World Challenge tournament in Leicester, England.
He crushed his United Kingdom opponent in “two minutes and thirty seconds via a triangle choke,” he said.
But for Francis, the victory just started setting in Monday after he returned home to Crestview.
'YOU GOT TO BE TOUGH'
Francis wasn't the lone American competing in the tournament, but he was competing on the UK team’s home turf surrounded by the opposing team’s fan base.
Further, it was the first time he had been outside the United States, and concentration was crucial.
“To accomplish this is amazing," Francis said of the victory. “… You got to be tough mentally,” he said. “I knew what I needed to do and I blocked out everything else.”
With an amateur fighting record of 12-0, Francis wants to compete in professional MMA. However, for now, he's just enjoying time back with loved ones.
“I’m going to take two weeks off and spend time with my family,” he said.
'HE IS SO COOL'
Francis will continue training with his MMA coaches in hopes of going pro. He said he wants to have his first professional MMA match sometime next year.
But none of it has gone to his head, co-workers at Baker Metal Works said.
“You wouldn’t think of (Francis) as a tough guy, MMA fighter, because he is so cool and nice to everyone and he is so approachable," co-worker Brandon Linzy said. “Then you see these (YouTube) videos of him beating the tar out of somebody.”
Co-workers — some of whom call him "Champ" — follow Francis’s amateur MMA matches on Facebook and watch his fights online, Linzy said.
Soon, Linzy believes, he will see Francis achieve his dream, competing professionally, perhaps for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
“We know that is where he is going,” Linzy said. “He is just so good as what he does.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'HE IS JUST SO GOOD': Crestview MMA fighter remains undefeated after UK tournament