Veteran Amateur fighter, Justin Fratto, out of the Desert Dogs Fight Team in Bend, Oregon will be fighting tomorrow night, March 13th, on the United Combat Sports "St Patty's Beatdown" card in Salem, Oregon. NW Fightscene's Spaniard spoke with Justin about his fighting career and more...

NW Fightscene: You're fighting as a last minute replacement coming up here.

Tell us about who you're fighting and when you're fighting.
Justin Fratto: I'm fighting Trent Westman on March 13th which is this Saturday.

NWFS: You just fought on Desert Brawl. Tell us about that.

Fratto: Yeah, instead of taking time off, I'd rather stay in shape and keep on competing.

NWFS: Your last fight, what happened?

Fratto: The last fight, it went to a three round decision. I ended up taking it. The guy was pretty tough. I guess that's why it went to decision.

NWFS: What was his name?

Fratto: His name was Jeremy Johnson from Medford, Bully Breed.

NWFS: Tell us about the fight, what were your strengths and weaknesses?

Fratto: Its been a year since my last fight so its kind of weird getting back in there. I think I could have performed a lot better. I wasn't impressed with my fight after watching it. But the guy surprised me because I watched him fight once before and he didn't have any standup in that fight and this fight he did. (laughs) He went to the ground right away in the fight that I watched. And this fight he had a lot of standup so that surprised me.

NWFS: So in watching that fight what did you take back to the drawing board?

Fratto: Be more aggressive and not wait for them to attack.

NWFS: So you got an opponent that you really don't know too much. How do you train for that?

Fratto: With the Desert Dogs, we train in every aspect. On the ground, standing up, top and bottom. So that way I'm prepared for wherever the fight goes. I just got to make sure I'm in shape.

NWFS: And your last fight, you didn't walk away from that fight with anything banged up or anything messed up? You're pretty 100 percent?

Fratto: Yeah, I have a little bruise on my shin from checking one of his kicks. And I had a little bruise above my eyebrow from where he broke his hand on my head. And other than that I was totally fine.

NWFS: As an amateur and going through the ranks, what's it like to go in there and basically go up against someone you cant watch on tape and you cant get any info on? How do you prepare for that?

Fratto: Honestly through all my past opponents I looked them up and everything, I studied their game and it made me a little bit more nervous. And now that I don't really know what this guy looks like, I don't know anything about him, I'm psyched. I'm pumped for it. Less nervousness.

NWFS: So it works better if you don't know much about your opponent. You don't psyche yourself out.

Fratto: Exactly. I'm loving this part right now.

NWFS: You're fighting a wrestler. What is your game plan coming into this fight?

Fratto: Be aggressive and take it to him. Don't hold anything back. I'm not going to let it go to the judges anymore. 

NWFS: So you're going into this looking to finish?

Fratto: Oh yeah, I'm going to finish this guy. Pretty convincingly too so I can get a title shot somewhere else. 

NWFS: So are you looking to get into title contention at some other organizations around Oregon?

Fratto: Yeah this next fight is actually a Superfight to see who get to fight for a belt. So that's what I'm pumped about. Got to beat this guy pretty bad so that my next opponent will be a little worried fighting me. 

NWFS: What is your actual record?

Fratto: My actual amateur record is 9 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw.

NWFS: So being an amateur, obviously you don't have too much coming financially. How do you put that together with the fighting?

Fratto: Well right now I get unemployment and just looking for a job. Whatever helps to pay the bills. 

NWFS: Have you got anything in sponsorships or anybody else helping out in that sense?

Fratto: Yeah, Elite Fitness is helping me train. They help me out with my nutrition. And they sponsor me through my training, helping me workout there for free and everything as long as I keep on winning. (Laughs) 

NWFS: So does that kind of play in your mind a little bit, always needing to win deal. Because getting by is really hard, trying to make ends meet, and fight, and get that win. 

Fratto: No, there's not too much pressure that I need to win, its just that I don't want to lose. (Laughs) I don't want to get hurt or anything. That's the main thing. As far as winning, everybody has to lose sometimes. 

NWFS: What do you do to keep yourself mentally chill and happy?

Fratto: Hang out with my family and friends. And go four wheeling. I just got a new puppy that I enjoy having around me. It keeps my mind off things a lot.

NWFS: You got any sponsors or shout outs or anybody you'd like to thank?

Fratto: I'd like to thank Elite Fitness, all the Desert Dogs, and Max Muscle.