Prospect Watch: Rick Nuno

For decades now, Philadelphia, PA has been known as a fight town that has produced some of the biggest names in professional boxing, from “Smoking” Joe Frazier to Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins to the number one junior welterweight in the world today, Danny “Swift” Garcia. It is also slowly beginning to emerge as a hot bed for mixed martial artists like top lightweight Eddie Alvarez. However, the lesser known town of Bethlehem, north of Philadelphia, harbors another lightweight fighter who is quickly making a name for himself as a young prospect. Competing in his second pro MMA bout this Friday February 8, at Cage Fury Fighting Championship 20, undefeated up and comer Rick “El Numero Uno” Nuno is planning to keep his “0” in the losses column.

Coming from a striking background, Nuno explains where his love for fighting came from. “My father started me young in Tae Kwon Do, martial arts; I did a lot of boxing. I never competed but I always had it and was always involved with sports and physical fitness, stuff along those lines,” said Nuno. “My father was more of a street fighter and more of a rebel. My dad was always a big believer in street fighting and he instilled Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do in me at a very young age, around six years old, with a striking and boxing foundation.”

After a few successful amateur bouts, he joined AMA Fight Club in Whippany, NJ. Nuno feels fortunate that he’s found a comfortable and trustworthy group of people that truly have his best interests in mind. “I’ve been there for the past five or six months now and probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me and my MMA career. It’s gotten me to link up with top UFC fighters like Charlie Brenneman, Jim Miller, Dan Miller and we have Jimy Hettes over there now.” Along with former WBC Continental Americas welterweight champion Ronald Cruz and his trainer Lemuel “Indo” Rodriguez, Nuno has every aspect of his training camp covered and is ready to demonstrate why he’s considered to be the hottest prospect in PA.

Nuno made it clear that a future with the UFC is certainly something he looks forward to, but by no means is that his immediate agenda. It’s a goal of his to reach the big show, just as it is for any other up and comer, but he understands that if he doesn’t put in the hard work now, when less people are watching, he may never reach that goal to begin with. He sounded extremely enthusiastic about his future and truly enjoys what he does, everything from the rigors of everyday training to the miles he puts on his vehicle every time he travels to Whippany. Nuno knows what sacrifices and commitments need to be made to make it in today’s MMA landscape. He plans on putting that commitment on display February 8.