Sit down with the Surgeon

NAME: Chip Moraza-Pollard

NICKNAME: the Surgeon

TWITTER HANDLE: @chipthesurgeon

AGE/ BIRTHDATE: 26 5/9/88

HEIGHT: 5'11

BIRTHPLACE/ HOMETOWN: Wareham MA birthplace, Plymouth MA hometown

LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English

FIGHTING OUT OF (CITY): Wareham MA

CAMP/ GYM CCFA

MANAGEMENT:

STYLE (ex. Judo, muay thai, BJJ.): Karate, muay thai, Boxing, wrestling, jiu jitsu

TRAINERS: Pat Schultz, Mike Gresh

STRENGTHS: Striking

HOW LONG WAS YOUR FIGHT CAMP: I never stop training but had about 5 weeks’ notice for this fight

PROFESSIONAL RECORD: 9-7

TRUNK COLORS: don't know yet

Q&A

How much weight did you lose for this fight?

I walk around at about 200 lbs, fight is at 170

What is your favorite post weigh in food?

A lot of small meals like fruit, sushi, and pasta

What food do you miss the most while cutting weight and dieting for a fight?

Ha everything: Mexican, barbecue, burgers, pizza, pasta, Asian, pancakes, pie, cookies, cheesecake, pastries, etc etc.

Do you think they should implement same day weigh ins?

I think that would be a great thing for the sport, guys wouldn't kill themselves trying to cut so much weight and I wouldn't be dreaming about everything I can't eat ha.

Who will be in your corner for this fight?

Pat Schultz, Mike Gresh, and probably one of the Sityodtong coaches.

Thoughts on opponent?

He's a talented grappler but won't be able to hang with me on the feet.

When and why did you start training for fighting?

I started training in usa goju karate at about age 6 but I've loved the martial arts since before even then. I grew up watching the ninja turtles, Dragon ball Z, street fighter, and Jackie Chan movies and they always inspired me.

How many sparing sessions weekly do you do while in fight camp?

Usually one hard night of sparring but maybe one or two more throughout the week depending how close to the fight we are.

What ranks and titles have you held?

I've been ranked in the top ten in the New England welterweight division and have been as high as the number one middleweight in new England. I was the CFFC welterweight champion and the CFX welterweight champion.

Do you have any heroes?

Miyamoto Musashi, Bruce Lee, Ryu from street fighter, ancient warriors such as the Spartans, samurai, and Vikings.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy cooking and I'm pretty damn good at it, going out with my friends.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?

I did not attend college.

What is your (current/previous) job?

I currently work in the electronics department at the Plymouth Wal-Mart.

Specific accomplishments in pro competition?

Beating an undefeated opponent and winning the CFFC welterweight title on ten days’ notice was probably the brightest spot of my career thus far.

How would you describe your fight style?

I'm the Surgeon. Technical precise striking that slices you open like a scalpel.

If any, list ranks in any martial arts styles:

I was a brown belt in USA Goju karate.

Favorite grappling technique:

Takedown defense HAHAHA

Favorite Striking technique:

Too many to pick from but probably an effective jab, effective simplicity is a beautiful thing.

What is the story behind your nickname?

As a kid competing in karate tournaments I would watch all the other kids in my bracket matches and see what their tendencies were, and when it was my turn to fight them I'd pick them apart. My karate teacher Hanshi Dave McConnell said I was like a Surgeon and the name still applies. I take great pride in it since I earned it in competition at such a young age and didn't give it to myself like a lot of these fighters do today.

What do you consider to be the key fight in your career, and why?

Probably to be consistent, putting together a solid string of wins so I can move to that next level.

What are you plans after you win the fight?

Eat everything.

We want to thank Chip for taking the time to sit down with us. I have had the personal pleasure of training with and learning from "The Surgeon" and honestly until you sparr him you wont understand. He has the best/ most technical striking in the 170 lbs division in Local MMA (IMO). We want to wish Chip the best as he compets this friday night at Foxwoods Resort and Casino. Go check him out, I think he has 4 tickets left lol!