He pictures his opponent as the Incredible Hulk, a humanoid monster with bulging muscles climbing into the fight cage.
It’s what motivates San Bernardino County firefighter Travis Aguirre to do an extra set of squat walks or stack more weight on the bench in preparation for his first submission grappling match.
The 26-year-old doesn’t know anything about his opponent for Saturday’s Guns-N-Hoses grappling tournament, except that he is a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy.
“I’m putting him on a pedestal and thinking to myself that the guy I’m going against is doing this (workout) plus more,” Aguirre said. “I’m picturing climbing into the ring with the Hulk. I just hope when I actually climb into the ring it isn’t the Hulk.”
The 7 p.m. match at Adrenaline Combat Sports & Fitness is believed to be the first bout of grappling in the county.
Grappling is similar to wrestling. Contestants try to gain the upper hand during two four-minute rounds but cannot strike their opponent. Slamming, eye gouging, hair pulling and biting are also frowned upon.
The event, organized by San Bernardino City firefighters, will raise money for fallen cops and firefighters.
“My only concern is I don’t want anybody to get hurt,” Aguirre said. “We all have families, we all have jobs, and this isn’t as serious as the UFC.”
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