Jose Palacios talks upcoming bout with Chris Kwiatkowski at Friday Night Fights

Jose Palacios (@JEPalacios) will return to action after a lengthy layoff on November 2nd to take on Chris Kwiatkowski under the Friday Night Fights Muay Thai (@FridaysFights) banner. Palacios took some time from his busy schedule to answer a few questions about the upcoming fight with Kwiatkowski.


MTA: You have a fight against Chris Kwiatkowski November 2nd
in New York
for Friday Night Fights. You haven’t fought since February, how excited are you
to get back in the ring?

Jose: I’m very excited for the up and coming challenge. He is a recognized
fighter and I love the idea of facing tough opponents. Win or lose it doesn’t
matter. I want to look back and say yes, I fought this guy. So yes… I’m am
excited and ready!

MTA: What was the reason for the layoff?

Jose: Well, the lay off was not done on purpose. I’m not a newbie when it comes
to injuries. I’ve had many in my career. I’ve been doing this for a while now
and I have paid my dues. I’ve broken both hands more than once. Tore my tendons
on my left elbow from not tapping out. Cracked my sternum from a side kick to
the chest. Broken both feet in a fight,

 almost tore a retina vs. a French Kickboxing
champion, that’s to name a few, but none have been as frustrating as the one I
got this year.

In my last camp after Shane, I over trained and I hurt my back. I had to pull
out of a fight in the Legends promotion in
San Francisco due to the MRI results. I had 2
bulging disks and it was painful to even walk. I had intense therapy and I mean
intense. That hurts right there, that’s real pain.

As soon as my back felt better my corner and I decided to take on the next
fight. I went to K-1 trials with my back not 100% healed and I was excited to
be there. I was happy to see how my Lion Fight Promotion brothers did in there.
Made me hungrier and eager to fight again.

I did get into other things like acting and music so I made the best out of it.

MTA: How familiar are you with Chris K?

Jose: I’ve never seen Chris fight before. I knew I was eventually going to face
off vs. him. We both were ranked by the WBC last year. I was 2 he was 3 or
something like that… but I again, I never saw him fight before. When I was
told I was facing off against him I took a look at a few of his fights and went
to work. It’s another day in the office. I don’t really like to look at video
too much, I like to work on what I do.

MTA: You dropped your last two fights by decision; do you
feel any pressure to make sure you don’t hit a three fight skid?

Jose: My last two fights were a great learning experience. I had a lot of
distraction in my personal life and I let it affect my performance. I’m not
thinking about a 3rd loss. I would love an opportunity to fight these fighters again.

MTA: During your time off you acted in an independent film
City at War. How was that experience?

Jose: City at War! I loved it. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. It’s
just as much as a rush as fighting is. I play a very strong minded Character
named Zeta. He is an individual that many people respect and fear. He takes it
upon himself to bring honor to his family and himself, he is the leader that
the younger generation need and he takes it to heart.

It’s a movie directed by a close friend of mine Eduardo Castrillo and his Uncle
David Cavallero. Eddie is young up and comer who I believe has a lot of
potential with big projects in mind and I’m glad I’m a part of it. Every one
has to start somewhere, this is it. It’s his 2nd film and what I love about it
is that we don’t have the big budgets. The fancy cameras, but the imagination
is there and that’s what matters. He has the support of his family and friends
and the stars are the limits. The movie is being release in Nov. 17th in a
theater in
14808 East 14th Street,
San Leandro, California.

I’m not gonna lie, I’m excited and nervous. First time seeing myself on screen.
This is the trailer.
 

MTA: Can we get a prediction for the fight?

Jose: Predictions for the fight..? haha… This question always makes me smile.
Yea.. someone is going to win and someone is going to lose. Both people are
gonna come out beat up.. one more than the other.. and I’m training hard so
this person is not me. I’m not big on talking smack. I respect every opponent I
face, but I am training to win.

MTA: You are located in Northern California,
being that you will be fighting on the east coast for the first time, how
important do you think it is for you to go make a statement in this fight?


Jose:
It’s a big statement. I’m representing the caliber of fighters from the
West. I can easily say it’s a fight just for me and to a point it is, but I am
also aware of the fight community and how things like this can be looked at as
East vs. West. I can embrace that idea… hah. I can see it now, boos from
every corner.

smileIt is what it is
at the end of the day, we are both fighters living on the other side of the
country. Fighting for honor at least that’s my case.

MTA: Any words for your supporters Jose?

Jose: Thank you! My biggest supporters are closest friends at the gym who are
with me day in and day out. The people that bring me food when I’m hungry and
beat up. My parents who feed me and nurture me back to life. My girlfriend, I
know it’s not easy, Thank you. My brothers who I want to punch in the gut
sometimes, but at the end of the day still make me smile when I think back at
the good times. My coach Rudi Ott who challenges me day in and out helping me
focus and become a better martial artist. My team mates, brothers por vida
homes.

The San Jose Medical Brigades folks who have big hearts and help other people
in need. They remind me how blessed we are to have running water.
http://www.empowered.org/Julie-Basuino

How can I forget the people who cheer me on during the battle. Thank you for
you energy. Oss!
www.edopeno.com, GFY GEAR, TLC Chiropractic
Center, Crossfit Unlimted,
www.morningcrane.com,Students Empowering Communities – www.empowered.org.