In and Out of the Cage: Benny "El Hijo" Madrid
WSOF match between Benny Madrid and Jeff Fletcher ended in a win for Madrid in the first round. During the interview, Madrid made a remark thanking his wife and girlfriend. To know the true story, you have to get to know Benny Madrid. His voice has always been better heard in the cage, rather than behind the microphone.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251, September 24, 2015 (Newswire.com) - In a World Series of Fighting match on September 18, 2015 Benny “el hijo” Madrid entered the cage to face opponent Jeff Fletcher. In a first round submission by rear choke hold, Madrid defeated Fletcher. In the interview after the fight Benny talked about his strategy in the ring and then gasp thanked his wife AND girlfriend. Now, in a viral sandstorm this is what is being focused on – is he a cheater, does he have an open marriage, is his girlfriend finally out of the bag, did he just get caught?!
To know the true story, you have to get to know Benny Madrid. His voice is always better heard in the cage, and not in front of the microphone. For starters, Benny has 3 loves in his life; his kids, Tracy Cortez and MMA fighting. People who know Benny also know that some things that come out of his mouth are head shaking worthy but never intended to be cruel or misleading – but guaranteed at some point, will be taken out of context, because in all reality – “that’s just Benny.”
Question: But why is that just Benny?
Answer: Because most people have never witnessed the childhood that Benny had, much less lived it. Benny grew up in a tough neighborhood in South Phoenix, he came to a pivotal point in his life: to continue the road he was on and end up dead or in jail or to channel every emotion he had into a positive and go for a dream. Benny found MMA fighting, and it quickly fueled his transformation to continuously “Dream Big” and to turn his life around.
Thats someone to look up to - someone who overcomes adversity, tragedy and statistics to make a better life for himself. He then took that dream one step further – giving back to the community he came from – to show children and teens that anything CAN BE made possible. He visits schools in his same neighborhood, talks to students about how he can relate to the pressures they are faced with every day and how they too “can get out, and make their dreams happen.”
Benny also teaches at Scottsdale-based gym Fight Ready. Surrounding himself with professional fighters and novices alike, Fight Ready becomes a place where everyone is equal – never separated by class, race, sex, age, or profession. It’s not just a gym, it’s a family forged by passion and drive and the heart of the place are the coaches – and Benny makes up a piece of that heart.
In a world with social media and 24 hour news it’s easy to get caught up in personal opinion as fact and misrepresentation as truth. But lets ask the readers this – a person has a goal, a passion to be a champion that burns 24 hours a day. The person has trained, bled, over come injury and naysayers to get to the dream of walking into that cage and to WIN. Is it fairly safe to say that in the height of that win with adrenaline still pulsing - words just come out – and can possibly be misspoken?
Benny Madrid walked into that cage knowing that he HAD TO win, there was no other choice. And with perseverance he does – the real story is what it takes to begin from nothing and become a champion – to feel that rush some will only dream of having when that goal is reached. It is a true statement that actions speak louder than words.
Friends and family are also starting a Go Fund Me account so Benny can officially marry Tracy Cortez. Go to https://www.gofundme.com/rx4tyavs and lets #getbennymarried.
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