The Rural Grit Behind Drew Nason's MMA Journey

Visalia, Calif. - A horrible amount of nerves filled Drew Nason’s body as he stood straight across from his opponent at his amateur MMA debut at 559 Fights 108.

Nason had only participated in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training and sparred with his teammates at Legacy MMA before this fight. He had never stood in a cage with someone else before.

Despite this, the Fresno native came out with blazing speed, immediately getting on top of his opponent and hammering down significant strikes as hard as he could.

Once Nason got into mount position, his BJJ training took over, and he submitted his opponent in an armbar.

The fight lasted 53 seconds. Nason, who has been in plenty of street fights, made it exactly that.

“My dad has always told me, ‘If you go out there and make it a street fight, you’re gonna smoke everybody,’” the 27-year-old Nason recalled.

His very next fight at 559 Fights 111, he submitted Marshall Zachary in one minute and six seconds.

Although Nason’s two amateur fights ended in submission, he’s never officially been promoted past a white belt in BJJ. 

Growing up with Martial Arts

Nason’s always been involved with martial arts growing up, as his father, Troy Nason, put Drew in Jiu Jitsu classes at five years old, shortly after his mom passed away.

His father enrolled him in classes in the first place because Drew was having some trouble with some of the kids at his elementary school. So his dad wanted him to learn how to defend himself.

"I fight the way I do because of my dad," Nason said.

He would also be enrolled in Muay Thai and boxing during his younger years, and wrestling in middle school.

Nason says he never trained in organized martial arts past middle school. He says the only thing he did was consistently lift weights. Despite this, he says he never really lost the love for the sport or his ability on the mat.

It wasn’t until a little over a year ago that he actually started training again.

Getting back into the game

His wife, Mia, was actually the person who pushed Nason to start doing MMA. 

“She was the one telling me to get off the couch and go make it happen,” Nason said. “So she has no problem with it and enjoys it.”

When Nason wanted to begin training, he reached out to his dad, who put him in contact with Legacy MMA in Madera. Richard Sandoval, the owner of the gym, had Troy as his Jiu Jitsu coach for almost 15 years.

That relationship fostered another one as Drew began training with Legacy MMA shortly thereafter.

Drew quickly began developing relationships with other 559 Fights fighters, including Roman Guillen and Richie Sandoval. He also cross-trains with some of the fighters at Madera MMA, including 559 Fights Super Lightweight champion Chris Chapa and Welterweight champion Moses Contreras.

Guillen was the one who directed Nason to 559 Fights in the first place, and their relationship has blossomed as time has gone on.

“Richie and Roman are like my brothers,” Nason said.

Training in Madera has prepared Drew for his upcoming fights, but it’s also opened some doors in other areas in his life.

A ranch worth fighting for

Nason recently acquired a ranch in Madera County, following in the footsteps of his mother who had a ranch in Oakhurst that Nason has found memories of.

“I’ve always been a country boy,” Nason said. “Always out in the woods and doing that stuff at my mom’s ranch.”

So Nason wanted a ranch of his own. He is a big fan of hunting and wanted his own space to have all the things he loved in one spot.

He had a property in mind that his friend owned in Raymond, and his family loved going all the time.

While preparing for his amateur debut, Nason was told the property he was eyeing had already been sold after he was unable to get a loan for it.

Two months later, after constantly checking Zillow, he noticed the purchase was still pending. Confused, Nason called the realty company and was told there were issues with title, but the buyers were being patient.

The real estate agent, however, took Nason’s information in case the sale fell through.

About a month later, Nason gets a call while at work. The real estate agent informed Nason that the previous purchase had fallen through and the property was once again available.

Nason and his wife applied for a loan, and this time around, they were approved.

“I’m getting it, man,” Nason thought. “God’s gotta be working on our side.”

The ranch was sold to Nason about a week before his last fight, and he will train there for his fights.

What’s next

His upcoming fight is against Gianni Garcia, a fighter with a 3-3 record and three times the cage experience compared to Nason.

But when Nason combines the tape with the fact that each of Garcia’s losses came via submission, his confidence is boosted.

Nason’s ultimate goal, however, is to fight for the 559 Fights Middleweight title. 

“That’s going to mean the world to be,” Nason said. “Just to be able to put a belt around my wife, my daughter and take pictures up at my ranch. That’s gonna be [so cool].”

Nason will fight Gianni to likely earn a shot at the title on the main card of 559 Fights 114 on Saturday, May 24 at the Visalia Convention Center.

Contacts:

Jeremy Luchau, CEO – 559-813-0307

Antoine Hood, VP of Talent Acquisition – 760-977-6011

Michael Hernandez, PR Manager/Commentator - 559-672-9574

Sergio Romero, PR Coordinator - 559-577-2841 

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