Valor Fights 21’s Tim Boyle is ready for the next level

Tim Boyle

Tim Boyle

Making his pro debut this Saturday at Valor Fights 21 in Chattanooga, Tim Boyle is an experienced martial artist having competed in MMA and Kickboxing as an amateur.  Fighting out of Blalock’s MMA in Ft. Oglethorpe, he comes from a team with a bloodline and a proven track record of creating champions.

Chris Hopkins was able to sit down with Boyle recently to discuss his career thus far and his fight tomorrow night.

What got you into MMA?  What brought you into the gym to train for the first time? How old were you when you started training to fight?

I was always into combat sports and grew up wanting to do some form of martial arts but was never able to do it because I played the traditional sports growing up.  I saw a live MMA fight in Cincinnati and was hooked with MMA.  Being that I was extremely overweight at the time, weighing 245lbs, I had to do something to get myself healthy again.  That is what brought me into starting to train MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I needed something other than traditional workouts and something that was going to motivate me to get into shape.  I started training back in 2005 when I was 27 years old. Have been hooked ever since.

You’re making your pro debut, are you excited or nervous?  How does it feel to be one of the feature fights on the Valor Fights 21 card in Chattanooga?

Honestly, I am both excited and nervous.  I had my first fight in 2007 and still get nervous every time.  I am excited to finally make the next step.  I think it’s great to be a part of the show in Chattanooga as a pro fighter. I actually haven’t had as many fights in Chattanooga as I would have liked, so to be able to be a feature part of the show and get my name out there is really satisfying.

You train at Blalock’s MMA, Chet Blalock is one of the most experienced coaches in the area.  Tell me about how it feels to fight out of a successful camp.

I have been training with Chet since 2006.  I knew once I had my first training session with him and the fight team, that was the place I wanted to be. It’s great to be a part of the lineage that we have at Blalock’s.  We have had several champs in MMA, BJJ and Kickboxing over the years, both pro and amateur.  I am honored and look forward to what the future holds for Blalock’s IMB.

Who are some of the fighters in MMA that you look up to and model your fighting style after?

I really don’t model myself after any particular fighter. I try to maybe implement some things that I have seen fighters like Rich Franklin do into my game but not really fight like him.  I am a student of the game and always try to make my own style while using what works best to be a great fighter and martial artist.

What are some of your goals and aspirations in MMA?

Goals and Aspirations?  Fighting for a title someday is always a goal.  I would say that it would be great to be able to compete on a card that is on national tv for a bigger organization.  Being that I only have a small window of opportunity to compete at the highest level because of my age, I want to be the best fighter and martial artist I can be while competing and take that skill to help younger fighters when I decide to hang it up.

Is there anyone you would like to thank or mention?

I would like to thank my family and friends for their support during my training camp.  Also, would like to thank my Coaches, trainer and teammates for putting me through hell to be fully prepared for this fight.  I appreciate each and everyone one of you.

Leave a Reply