“Cowboy No Steering Wheel”: Chris Velarde Heads Into His Second Pro Fight at Fury FC

HOUSTON– For Chris Velarde, stepping into the cage is like strapping in for a wild ride with no brakes.

“Cowboy—no steering wheel, just hold on and let’s see what happens,” says Velarde, the #49-ranked pro lightweight in Texas, who trains out of Houston and holds a 1-0 professional record.

Velarde is set to face Christian Gavilanez, the #58-ranked pro featherweight in Texas, in a lightweight bout that promises fireworks.

“I’ve fought for Fury twice—once as an amateur and then now once as a pro,” Velarde says. “This will be my second pro fight.”

Training at Main Street Muay Thai has been a game-changer for Velarde, fueling his growth and sharpening his skills. “I like to train at Main Street Muay Thai, man—the energy, the teammates I have, everything. It just elevates, it brings the best out of you,” he explains.

Outside the gym, Velarde finds strength in his support system. “I really want to thank my sponsors, everything like that—they’ve really gotten behind me,” he says. “My wife, she’s been my biggest supporter. She’s heaven-sent—I mean that—‘cause I drive an hour and 20 to train down here. I’m in a little small town called Batson, Texas. When you talk about a community—a small-town community that really gets behind their people—those people have really stood behind me and my family and really invited us in.”

As for his upcoming opponent, Velarde expects nothing but a scrap. “He’s tough. He’s game,” Velarde says. “I expect a really good fight. Tune in—I’m excited. We’ll see what happens.”

With the “cowboy” spirit and his community behind him, Velarde is ready to hold on tight—and see where the ride takes him next.