Tampa's William Rentz looks to put on a show in his hometown: 'I know I can hang at the highest level'
"Iron Will" returns to action at CFFC 133 on Friday, July 26, aiming to show his evolution.
In five fights under the CFFC banner, William Rentz has proven himself a must-watch athlete, with four of those contests ending by knockout. Now, "Iron Will" is ready to take his game to the next level and show that he can recreate that same action-packed style on the sport's highest stage.
Currently based in Tampa and fighting out of the Gracie Tampa South and Gracie PAC gyms, the Honolulu native believes his game has evolved tremendously in his three years as a professional and most notably credits his coach and fan-favorite UFC featherweight Billy Quarantillo for his progress.
"The experience is invaluable," Rentz said. "Especially with Billy, he's been with me since day one, giving me all the knowledge he has, building me up – essentially mentoring me all the way through (my career)."
Rentz's connection with Quarantillo has proven so strong as a coach and mentor that "Billy Q" has gone beyond simply working techniques inside the gym with his pupil and has actually invited him into the corner for his last few UFC fights. Quarantillo has Rentz around as a training partner for his UFC fights, as well, giving a good look into the preparation that a high-level athlete puts into his training camp.
"I'm getting rounds with him, as well," Rentz said. "He's a freak. His cardio, his pace, his pressure – it's just an invaluable experience getting to see how he trains, how he prepares. The last couple fights, I've been able to corner him, so I was able to see and feel that UFC experience, too. It's invaluable having guys like that around you."
Experiencing the UFC's famed octagon from Quarantillo's corner is an opportunity that Rentz does not take for granted. In fact, Rentz says walking to the cage in that environment has given him more confidence in his own fighting career. Although he was only a cornerman, Rentz was able to take in the moment and get a good taste into what it's like in the UFC, which helps him stay focused, and realize that he can truly make an impact in the sport.
"The main thing I took away from my experience was that it's not so much different from a CFFC fight," Rentz said. "The people there, they're just people. They're not special. They're not superheroes. It was really a wakeup call for me with both of those experiences letting me know, 'If you keep doing the right things, you can get to this level. You can compete at this level and be the best in the world.'"
Rentz (3-2 MMA, 3-2 CFFC) was hoping to appear at March's CFFC 130 before an illness forced him to withdraw from the event. Four months later and itching to step back into the cage, he will now return to action on Friday, July 26 at "CFFC 133: Watley vs. Forest" to take on Venezuelan newcomer Gabriel Morales (4-4 MMA, 0-0 CFFC). The action streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.
Though he was disappointed to not compete in March, Rentz said the extra time allowed him to get plenty of work in the lab in preparation for his return. Now, armed with his experiences behind the scenes at the UFC level, Rentz is ready to prove that he deserves a chance to make that same walk on his own. There is no pressure, only an opportunity to perform.
"I've been getting significantly better," Rentz said. "The pressure I feel in every fight is pretty much the same. Whether it's an amateur fight in some back-alley bar, in CFFC – or whenever I get to the UFC – the pressure I put on myself is to do my absolute best no matter the circumstances or the opponent."
