(Exclusive Interview) Ramiz Brahimaj, Fortis MMA’s next big thing

Interview

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In 2016, Sayif Saud founded Fortis MMA in Dallas, Texas. Fast forward to 2019, Fortis MMA is now one of the fastest-growing gyms in the world. Fortis MMA is home to many very talented Mixed Martial Artists. Those names include the former Brave CF Champion Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady, TUF 28 Winner Macy Chiasson and many more. Fortis MMA fighters have been perhaps the most successful gym through two seasons of the Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. Ryan Spann, Alonzo Menifield, Steven Peterson, Charles Byrd, Kennedy Nzechukwu and Geoff Neal are all in the UFC now. MMA DNA conducted an interview with one of the biggest up-and-coming talents from Fortis MMA. Ramiz Brahimaj, born in The Bronx with Kosovo-Albanian roots will compete alongside his teammate Miles Johns to earn a UFC contract on the second episode of the upcoming third season of the Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series. Brahimaj will take on undefeated Miguel Baeza (6-0 MMA) in a Welterweight bout.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Your background/origin. When you started Martial Arts and what was the reason you wanted to become an MMA fighter?
– I used to do boxing and karate as a little boy. Growing up in the Bronx, my father always wanted me to know how to defend myself. Once I was in high school around my junior year, I started training all facets of MMA. It wasn’t until I had completed basic training and job training for the army that I had my first amateur fight. I had gotten a phone call while I was still in basic training. My coach at the time was like “hey I know you’ll be done in a week but do you want to fight in a month’s time?” I said “yes,” and from that night I was instantly hooked.

It is Ramadan at the moment. You’re doing the usual things you do normally as well when it is not Ramadan. Can you tell us how your day looks like right now?
– Yes, I am observing the month of Ramadan. I am still getting all of my training in, not much changes. Just a few tweaks but nothing drastic.

You will be fighting in the second week of the DWTNCS on June 25th. Can you tell us your reaction when you got the news that you’ll be competing for a UFC contract?
– I was very happy upon receiving the news that I’d be competing on DWTNCS. I have been working very hard, and this is a great opportunity. I am blessed to be able to change my life and do what I love at this stage.

You are also the Main Event of the evening. What do you expect from the fight and what do you know about your opponent Miguel Baeza?
– I expect a great fight, my opponent is very tough and well-rounded.

Have you trained on specific things for this fight? And if so, what are these specific things?
– I always focus on every aspect of MMA. So nothing really changes, from fight to fight we make some adjustments.

The DWTNCS have been often referred as the Fortis MMA Tuesday Night Contender Series. Numerous fighters of your team are already in the UFC by winning a contract on that show. What/Who is the secret behind the Fortis MMA fighters?
– The secret behind our gyms success is the hard work, determination, grind and everyone is bought into the program. We are always there for each other. And of course under Coach Sayif Saud’s tutelage, we have been able to reach these milestones.

(Ramiz Brahimaj & Miles Johns/Picture from Johns’ IG.)

Your teammate and LFA champion Miles Johns will open the show on the 25th. What do you expect from his fight and does it benefit you and him to have to live the same experience together fighting for the contract?
– I expect Miles to deliver, as he always does. I train side by side with him, he is an awesome teammate and a phenomenal fighter. I expect a beautiful performance from him. For both of us to earn our victories and secure a contract in the same night will be very great.

Your coach Sayif Saud founded Fortis MMA in 2016 and is fastly becoming one of the hottest teams/gyms in the USA. What is Sayif Saud’s secret to get all these talented and great up-and-coming MMA fighters?
– Coach Sayif has been in this game for a long time. Of course our gym opened in 2016 but we have been grinding and working hard for far longer than that. We just work hard, keep our heads down and continue to set goals and attain them. And coach Sayif’s gameplans and his knowledge of the fight game help us out tremendously, he is masterful at what he does.

(Ramiz Brahimaj & Sayif Saud/Picture from Saud’s IG).

Austin Lingo is one of your teammates who is also absolutely killing it outside the UFC. Can we expect him on the Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series this season?
– Austin Lingo is an absolute beast. He is a sensational fighter who I have no doubt will either be on the contender series or get the call up to the UFC. It’s a matter of time.

I don’t know if you like to do any predictions, but tell the people what they can expect from you on June 25th.
– By the will of God it will be a great fight and I will emerge victorious.

Ramiz, thank you very much for your time. We wish you best of luck and if you have any shoutouts/plugs do your thing!!
– I would like to thank God, my team at Fortis MMA, my strength and conditioning coach Mike Scaccia as well as my meal prep company “fit.meals.prep” for all they do.

Follow Ramiz Brahimaj on Social Media.
– Twitter.
– Instagram.

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