CFFC newcomer Shane Mistretta hopes you have one thought when you see his name: 'OK, this will be an entertaining fight'
Florida native makes promotional debut at Saturday's CFFC 141 in Tampa, and he's looking to make an immediate impression.
With William Rentz set to make his return to the CFFC cage, promotional newcomer Shane Mistretta is more than ready to welcome him back.
Mistretta, a southpaw striker with a 100 percent finish rate in his professional career, grew up playing football and running track before he began to fall in love with the sport of boxing. That passion eventually led Mistretta to embark on his training journey, working on his own for the first year of his development. He eventually committed to a fight despite preparing only by himself up to that point.
While getting ready for his debut, Mistretta would train at his local Anytime Fitness location, where coaches from Treasure Coast Cartel took notice of his skills. They would soon find that Mistretta had signed up for a fight on his own.
The coaches insisted that Mistretta train with them instead, sparking the relationship that would ultimately catapult him into his professional MMA career.
Alongside his unusual start into the sport, Mistretta grew up idolizing fighters like Arturo Gatti and Floyd Mayweather. Gatti's unbreakable spirit against Mayweather in their legendary 2005 meeting in Atlantic City resonated with the Florida native, sparking motivation to become a professional fighter.
"The first fight I ever watched was Arturo Gatti vs. Floyd Mayweather," Mistretta said. "I remember Floyd beating Gatti up, and what drew me was that Gatti kept coming back.
"Not only that, but I love the 'Rocky' movies. I'm a southpaw because of the 'Rocky' movies. Just because Rocky was a southpaw, I was trying to write with my left hand. Thanks to the 'Rocky' movies, I can write with both of my hands."
When discovering MMA, Mistretta took a liking towards tough, striking-heavy stars, including Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker, all of whom he emulated his fight style after having been a fan.
Mistretta feels the energy he brings to the cage is on a similar level of the brawlers he idolized growing up.
"I love to embrace the grind of a fight," Mistretta said. "I don't see myself as a fast starter. I look to make it dirty. I'm going to find a way to finish somehow, someway. I know when the later rounds come, I'm ready to dig deep."
Who better to embrace the grind with than "Iron" Will Rentz?
Rentz (4-2 MMA, 4-2 CFFC), similarly to Mistretta (3-1 MMA, 0-0 CFFC), holds a 100 percent finish rate. Rentz also comes in with extensive experience in MMA, and a high-level grappling game. The two will face off in the co-main event of Saturday's CFFC 141 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa and streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
Mistretta comes into this fight having immense respect for Rentz and his journey. Interestingly enough, Mistretta's teammate Quintin Bray fought Rentz for his pro MMA debut. Mistretta immediately took notice of Rentz's never-say-die attitude and deep skillset in fighting.
The motivation is there for Mistretta with the opportunity to avenge his teammate on the line. The southpaw will also be on UFC FIGHT PASS for the very first time in his young pro career.
"I've had my eye on (Rentz) ever since he beat Quinton," Mistretta said. "I know he trains with Billy Quarantillo, and I'm a huge fan of him, myself. He's my type of fighter.
"(Rentz) is a tough guy. I'm expecting a really hard, gritty fight. I'm going to fight for the finish, and I'm going to find it."
Mistretta said that after the two compete inside the ring, he would love to take a trip to Rentz's gym to get work in. No ill will for either side here, but the intensity in the ring is sure to be on full display in the cage.
The Treasure Coast Cartel pupil will arrive at CFFC with goals that are sure to excite fans, as he aims to make a name for himself in his initial appearance and to make sure his name is remembered as one of those guys who brings his all come fight night.
Similarly to those he idolizes, Mistretta wants to be the guy fans know will put on a show and feels CFFC would be a great place for him to call home at this point in his pro career.
"I want to be the guy fans see on the card and know, 'OK, this will be an entertaining fight,'" Mistretta said. "I want to build a legacy. Fighting is a full-time thing for me. It's Plan A, B, and C. I'm all in.
"I want to put on exciting fights for the fans, to keep leveling up, and get to the UFC. I'm here to take the next step, get out of my comfort zone, and test the deep waters here to see if I've got it or I don't."
ARTICLE BY: SETH FASSANO