Fighter Profile: Mario Bruno

Name: Mario Bruno
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 280
Hometown: Queens NY
Fighting out of: West Babylon NY
Record: 1-1
Team: NA

Why do you fight?
I fought because I enjoy the feeling of getting in there with someone who trains and is willing to go. I love the training aspect of MMA, being in the gym with other fighters, learning and growing and teaching. I love to teach what I know.

How’d you get into the game?
Well when I was growing up I was sort of a push over, a good kid who didn’t get into much trouble. I could be the class clown one second and the class nerd the next. When I hit HS I was small and white. That seems to be a problem in my HS. I needed to learn to defend myself, so I went to a Karate school, not because I wanted to, but because I was picking up my little sister from her class. I was early and watched class, then I asked how much it would cost to have an intro class. The instructor said it was free to just show up in workout cloths, the next day I took my intro and was hooked.

How would you describe your fighting style?
I am a stand up guy with limited ground, I started to train at the East Meadow Serra Acadamy, but after a MRI I found a problem and have been away for quite some time.

What’s your best strengths as a fighter?
I am willing to stand up with anyone, I can see the stand up game so well. My ground game isn’t nearly as good, but I was learning and starting to feel comfortable on the ground. I think my best feature is planning a good fight plan, for me and for others. I train well and love being in the gym around other fighters. When I was in karate I was very good at teaching others to do things I couldn’t do. I trained many students who became champions. I think my best days will be as a trainer one day. I think I can open a gym and it will produce greatness.

What has been your most memorable moment so far in the sport?
My loss was my best moment because I learned a ton. It was my first time out and I didn’t know what to expect, I made adjustments and won my second and last fight.

What part of your personality shines through the most when you fight?
I am so sure of myself. I know what I am doing when I fight, win or lose I am certain of the moves.

What are your short term and long term goals?
I have no real goals anymore. I wanted to try out for the HW Ultimate FIghter at one point, but that is not reality any more. In the long term maybe I can get a gym open and try that.

What have you learned about yourself through MMA?
I have learned that I can go out there and give a good show, even if I don’t win it is a good show. I can train for something and put my all into it and come out with a great understanding of the game. I can see that although I may never be a world champion I do know how to help others get there and that may be my greatest gift to the sport one day.

What life lessons have you learned through being involved in the sport?
You can keep going, no matter what people tell you. Tons of people told me that MMA is not a sport, that there is no skill involved and I should go into boxing if I want to really learn something. I learned that you need to be good at what you do in the ring/cage, but you need to better when you are not fighting. You need to remember that this sport, even today is young and people want a reason to hate it and you for doing it. You have to be a pro every moment.

Quote you live by?
I really don’t have one. I just think you should follow your dreams no matter where they lead you.

What’s the most interesting experience you had meeting a pro fighter?
These are some of the nicest men in the world. I have met a few from different seminars and training at Serra’s. These guys are very smart and lovable people. They are not thugs and not midless men looking to beat the hell out of one another. There is a respect for one another that is unseen in most other sports.

Any tips for new fighters?
Train, train and train. When you are out of it and want to rest train some more. You must love this to be any good at it. Have fun when you train and fight. Your shelf life isn’t as long as you think.

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