Local MMA fighter returns to cage

A local mixed martial arts fighter will return to the octagon for the first time in more than four years with the goal of not only surpassing his opponent, but himself as a fighter.

"This fight will be a rematch against an opponent who I beat back in 2010, a fight that they have told me changed their life and career,' Abel 'The Silent Assassin' Cullum said.

On Saturday, Cullum (20-6) will fight against Joshua Montoya (11-9) in a 135 pound bantam weight competition at the Isleta Casino in Albuquerque.

Cullum, 31, said the first time he faced Montoya, 28, was in May of 2010, a fight that Cullum won in the first round by submission. He said in the course of promoting this fight, Montoya told him the loss had an impact on his life and in his career as a fighter. Montoya told me the loss was a wake up call for him and made him train harder to become a better fighter, Cullum added.

"It is flattering to have someone say you had such an influence on them," Cullum said. "However, it's also an edge to know that he has been chasing me, but I have been training to be better than the fighter I was when I first faced him."

Cullum said in his drive to become a better fighter has always focused on the opponent. He said from the moment he begins preparing for a fight, overcoming the opponent is the only thing he focuses on as he trains.

"I not only want to surpass my opponent, I am looking to surpass myself as a fighter," Cullum said. "With each fight I want to become a better fighter than when I last entered the ring."

Cullum said his decision to return to the ring once again was prompted by friends and training partners. He said an injury in 2014 had sidelined his pursuit of MMA competition.

"I was actually helping friends train for their upcoming fights and they kept telling me that I still had what it took to compete," Cullum said.

Cullum said competing in the MMA world has been a dream, goal for him since he was 13 years old. He said back then, he had a vision, a vision that would require a lot of dedication and sacrifice.

"I had to pass on high school parties and going out with friends, even later on as an adult," Cullum said. "I was geared and focused towards the vision I had seeing myself in mixed martial arts."

Cullum said injuries set his training back as well as being a full-time commissioned police officer for the Tucumcari Police Department. He said finding time to travel to practice with his trainers in Clovis has been a challenge as well.

"I have been on two weeks vacation preparing for this fight," Cullum said. "My fellow officers have been awesome in covering shifts for me as I trained and prepared for this fight."

Cullum said he had planned on fighting earlier but the opponent had to drop out of the fight. He said there was a problem in finding an opponent and he was appreciative when Montoya agreed to take the fight.

"I have been working hard to get back into the ring, to represent Tucumcari, Clovis and New Mexico," Cullum said.