Popular New Jersey MMA battler Montsir “Monster” Mohammad has a big decision to make after his upcoming fight. Should the Patterson, NJ, native return to the family restaurant in Baltimore or should he put his all into fighting and make it a career?
“You want to be a fighter you should be a 100% fighter,” said Mohammad. “This is not a toy time thing. A lot of guys are putting in 100% of their efforts into their training, so you’re not going anywhere if you’re only putting in 50%. I work in my family restaurant in Baltimore. I still live in Baltimore. I came back to New Jersey to finish training, but after the fight, I’m going to have to make a decision.”
Mohammad is set to face New York’s Christopher Vallaro (5-2) for the EFC Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event of The Darwish Brothers Presents: “Extreme Fighting Championships: MMA MANIA” on Saturday, May 18, in the Xanadu Theater at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City
In the other featured bout, Nick “The Brick” Mauriello (4-2) will face Frank Doyle (3-1) for the vacant EFC Super Welterweight Championship.
Tickets for “Extreme Fighting Championships: MMA MANIA” are priced at $46, $67, $100 and $125 Cageside and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, at the EFC website: www.efcmma.com, or at the Trump Taj Mahal box office on fight night.
Much is riding on the outcome of Mohammad’s fight against Vallaro; more than just his first MMA title, more than putting in a stronger performance than his last one, a comeback submission win over Victor Oquendo in March. This is about where a young man’s life will take him. The cage or the kitchen?
“It all depends on how I do in this next fight. Either I’ll decide to be a 100% fighter or I’m done.”
Faced with such a big fork in the road, 24-year-old Mohammad is hard at work at his headquarters, the Extreme Fight Club Gym, in Woodland Park, New Jersey, run by event co-promoter and head trainer Hani Darwish.
“I’ve known Hani since I was a little kid. I used to work passing out flyers for him when he was promoting boxing. He took me to the boxing gym one day, but it was basic stuff I was learning, really boring. I never went back. A few years later, I’m still friends with him and he got into the MMA business, so he said ‘what are you doing? Come train.’ I started doing it and fell in love with it. I love working with Hani; he’s my role model. I look up to Hani.”
Trainer Hani Darwish says he knew from a young age that Mohammad was a born fighter. “I could tell when he was a kid he’d be good. When I was doing boxing, I tried to get him into it but you can tell by looking at him that he’s a born MMA fighter. He’s also one of the toughest kids I’ve ever worked with. He just never stops coming. I’ve been with him since his first day and now he’s fighting for a title and thinking about making a career out of fighting. I’m extremely proud of Monster.”
Although he describes himself as a wrestling and submission specialist, Mohammad says he has a surprise in store for Vallaro when they meet.
“I’m always been a ground guy. I wrestled in high school. It’s natural to me to take it to the ground. Shoot down on a guy, but this fight will be different. I’m going to try and surprise everyone. It’s not going to be the same monster in there this time. To be honest, I don’t like his (Vallaro’s) attitude. He thinks he’s Rocky Balboa or something. I want to see if I can beat this guy. Not looking to fight weak nobodies. I want to see what I’ve truly got.”
Mohammad says he doesn’t mind being tagged with one of the most recognizable names in the Jersey fight scene.
“My real name, my Arabic name, means ‘victorious.’ When I was a freshman I got into wrestling at Kennedy High in Patterson. My first day of my training, I knew nothing. It was a Friday night. The next day was a Saturday. I competed in a tournament and got second place, which I think is pretty good for someone who doesn’t know how to wrestle. My coach gave me that name after I won. He said ‘You’re a monster.’ It stuck with me. Now, nobody knows my real name. That’s how bad it is. Even at home, my little brothers say ‘hey, monster.’ Only my mom still calls me by my right name.”
Monster Mohammad has a lot of thinking to do after his next cage fight. Does he have what it takes or was MMA a nice hobby on his way to a career in the culinary arts?
“Hopefully I will knock the guy out. It’s a big fight. Big decision to make afterward.”
ATTENTION FANS: The Darwish Brothers and the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City are announcing a very special $10 Bonus Slot Dollar opportunity to attendees of their next sensational MMA show.
Tickets for “Extreme Fighting Championships: MMA MANIA” are priced at $46, $67, $100 and $125 Cageside and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, at the EFC website: www.efcmma.com, or at the Trump Taj Mahal box office on fight night.
Doors open at 7 pm and the first bout is at 8 pm. All bouts subject to change.
For more information on the EFC or our fighters, visit our official website: www.efcmma.com.
WARNING: All EFC events sell out. Purchase your tickets now before it’s too late.
