José Luis Verdugo

BIO

Jose got started in MMA after getting injured in soccer, a sport he played for 15 years of his life. He actually competed for the team representing his hometown, but his injury forced him to quit. Since he still had the fire to compete, he was intrigued by a local flyer that was promoting MMA. He did some searching on the Internet and Jose called it “love at first sight.” He found a

local gym and after three months of training, he took his first amateur fight and then at the six-month mark, he took his first pro fight. MMA training was like therapy for his injury, which quickly disappeared after a few months.

Jose is single and works part-time as an industrial engineer, utilizing his Master’s Degree from Sonora University. Before leaving his hometown, he was teaching AutoCAD design at the University. He left that all behind to pursue his new dream of fighting, a decision he does not regret. His family supports him but doesn’t want to come to his fights, as his mom does not want to see him get punched in the face. During his free time, Jose likes to dance salsa and promises to show some of his dance moves after winning on May 11.

The nickname “Dos Lobos” (two wolves) replaces his old nickname of “Chelis” and represents an old fable about the fight between good and evil that takes place in the hearts of men. One wolf represents anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, while the other champions joy, peace, love, and hope. Those conflicting feelings are not foreign to fighters and Jose will channel both sides in his fight in Sacramento.