Rising Yuma Fighter Eyes State Title and MMA Debut
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – From the wrestling mat to the MMA cage, Yuma Catholic’s Javier Lopez is gearing up for his biggest year yet.
The rising senior is set to compete in a statewide jiu-jitsu tournament in Phoenix this weekend his latest step in transitioning from a standout high school wrestler to a multi-discipline fighter with professional ambitions. And while he’s still just 17, Lopez is already gaining support from sponsors and local coaches who believe in his potential.
“I got fifth place sophomore year, last year I got second,” Lopez said. “You know, it’s just driving me more and more to come for that first place.”
Lopez has steadily climbed Arizona’s wrestling ranks and now wants to prove himself in jiu-jitsu as he sharpens his ground game ahead of his first official mixed martial arts fight.
“My bracket for this upcoming day — I’ll be the youngest one. My oldest opponent is gonna be, I think, 34,” he said. “So even if they’re bigger, stronger… it’s gonna come down to technique.”
Lopez first appeared in the Yuma Fight League wrestling circuit last year, earning two wins, including a tightly contested match that helped him realize his potential in combat sports.
“I started in Yuma Fight League — Chance Ferrar texted me ’cause nobody wanted to take on this guy, Diego Camarillo,” Lopez recalled. “He was a D1 state champ. When he offered it to me, I was like, why not? I beat him 1-0… it was such an amazing feeling.”
That victory opened new doors. Lopez now trains at “The Pitt,” a local gym that’s produced fighters like Kelvin Gastelum. John Horvath, owner of The Pitt, says Lopez is already making an impression.
“I met Javier through YFL — he was competing, and I saw his talent,” Horvath said. “Didn’t realize he was only 17… He turns 18 in October, and he’ll be fighting in YFL this August. That’ll be his first MMA fight. He’s got real potential.”
Lopez says those opportunities haven’t come easy but they’ve been worth it.
“It’s very surreal for me,” he said. “I would’ve never seen this coming — having sponsors, like RevGear really helping me out. All these others like Sage & Sand and Buffalo… they’re willing to give so much for me to succeed.”
While his MMA career is just beginning, Lopez says his foundation in wrestling has helped him grow in and out of competition.
“My MMA goal — it’s helping a lot. It’s giving me a strong structure to start on,” he said. “Obviously the goal is to be well-rounded, but wrestling’s taken me a long way… Even with my academics — I mean, I have a few offers. I’m talking to two schools in Iowa, we’ll see where that takes me.”
Horvath says the community is behind him and he plans to keep Lopez connected with the right people.
“Guys like Kelvin Gastelum… Chance Ferrar — another great wrestler — wants to see this kid win. The whole community is behind him.”
As Lopez prepares for his tournament and MMA debut, he’s taking nothing for granted.
“Even if I take losses, I’m trying to find something to make myself better,” he said. “All the chips are in the basket. I’m giving everything I’ve got.”
