Ermek Tlauov says "I expect nothing but strong competition."

Ermek Tlauov (12-2, Akhmat Asia, Kazakhstan) will face Ronys Torres in the International Trials for the ROAD FC $1 Million Lightweight Tournament on February 11, 2017. Ahead of the match, he shared the story of his humble beginnings, and his strategy for the tournament.

Ermek Tlauov has risen to be the #2 lightweight and #3 P4P fighter in Kazakhstan in a short 4 years. After his first year going 2-2, he turned a spectacular win streak of ten fights in Alash Pride and Tech-Krep.

Tlauov is a submission specialist with pinpoint striking that has gotten him an 80% finish rate. He won the 2015 Tech-Krep Tournament to become the champ, and is in line for the Alash Pride strap as well. Having been in two tournaments already is the perfect preparation for the ROAD FC $1 Million Tournament.

However, Ermek's ranking and experience belie his short time in the sport of MMA. It wasn't that he didn't like combat sports, but that he wasn't able to follow that path, as he shares,

“I had a typical Soviet Union childhood of street, games, and fights. Then when I was 7 years old, my father passed away. I witnessed my mother work three jobs just to make enough for us. So ever since I was a kid, I worked different jobs to help her. I became a full-time fighter only four years ago, because I always had to work before.”

Tlauov was exposed to martial arts the way many fighters originally were, he says,

“I watched UFC events and wanted to test myself in martial arts. I first started with Greco Roman wrestling. I love the fighting style of Shinya Aoki, because despite a size disadvantage he wins with his jiu jitsu technique. I consider him one of my first coaches, because I studied his video lessons on the internet. Finally, I started training and competing in MMA in 2012 when I was 27 years old, I wanted to test myself in pro sport.”

This must have been a huge change in his life. Tlauov says that even so, his family stands by him,

“My family is very supportive. I’m married and my wife is very proud of my accomplishments. They want me to succeed and don’t get injured. I have four kids. They want me to be next to them all the time, so they don’t really understand my fighting career. But my son is training Taekwondo.”

This will be Tlauov's biggest fight and toughest challenge to date. He shares that he's eager to have the chance,

“It’s my first fight in Road FC and I’m very thankful for this opportunity. I believe it’s a very professional and high level event. This tournament is a chance to have big fights against tough opponents. I expect nothing but strong competition.”

Tlauov ramped up his training for this Tournament. He's confident he's set for both his first match and all to follow,

“I’m currently getting ready at Tiger Muay Thai & MMA camp in Phuket, I invested everything in this preparation. I believe I have a well-rounded style and I like to exploit my opponent's mistakes. I love choke holds, but whatever my opponent will give me I will take it. My strategy is to think about one fight at a time, focus on my next fight. For me, it’s an honor to test myself against such a high level and experienced opponent. I respect all of my opponents, they also have goals and dreams in this sport just like me.”

Tlauov may be focused on what's in front of him, but he's also thought about how to put the $1 Million prize to full use,

“$1 million gives me extra motivation. I want to open my own gym. I will support my family and I will open a business that helps people.”

In conclusion, Tlauov hopes for not just Kazakh fans' support, he wants to make new fans,

“I want to thank all my fans back home for their great support and I promise to give my best. I also hope to gain sympathy from local fans and have them support me in my fight too!”

For his updates, follow @ermek_tlauov on Instagram.