Yeshua McNew Gonzalez Media TV interview on his next fight

The Yeshua McNew Gonzalez Media TV interview came ahead of McNew’s Battle of the Central Coast bout against wide Stevenson, which he said would be his fourth fight of the year. The Muay Thai athlete also discussed why he wants to pursue a title before moving into MMA and how joining the Orthodox Church has shaped his approach to fighting.

What did Yeshua McNew say about his next Battle of the Central Coast fight?

Yeshua McNew said his Battle of the Central Coast bout against wide Stevenson would be his fourth fight of the year. After three consecutive fight camps, he took a short rest and focused closely on his diet, sleep and training for this one. He expects a different test from an opponent who has mostly competed in MMA.

Four fights after a delayed debut

McNew had planned to make his debut a year or two earlier, but an injury forced him out of the first bout and an opponent withdrew from the second. He described his busy year as a way to make up for that lost time. The first three camps took a toll, though, and he does not intend to maintain the same pace indefinitely.

After Battle of the Central Coast, McNew plans to take a break, move up one or two weight classes and probably fight again the following spring. For the immediate bout, he said the work outside training has been as important as the sessions themselves: he has paid particular attention to recovery and the routine around camp.

Preparing for wide Stevenson

McNew knows Stevenson has had a couple of Muay Thai bouts but regards him primarily as an MMA fighter. His coaches handle most of the opponent study and game planning. McNew has watched a few of Stevenson’s fights himself to form a mental picture and help with visualization.

How did Yeshua McNew’s Muay Thai career lead toward an MMA goal?

Yeshua McNew began with grappling long before taking up Muay Thai. He studied jiu-jitsu from second through seventh grade, trained in judo for three years and wrestled throughout high school. He started Muay Thai to build the striking skills he felt he would need for MMA, but now wants to see how far he can go in Muay Thai first.

From childhood grappling to striking

McNew said his father introduced him to the Ultimate Fighting Championship when he was young, and he has long been interested in MMA. After years spent mostly grappling, he took up Muay Thai around the time he was wrestling in high school. He estimated that he had been practicing Muay Thai for about three years.

His original plan was to win a Muay Thai title and then transition to MMA. That goal has grown: he now wants to pursue a state title or a tournament before changing sports. Describing why he is staying with striking, McNew put his priority plainly:

I just want to get as good as I can in Muay Thai

Training plans in Santa Maria

There is no fixed date for McNew’s MMA debut. He wants to train consistently with his cousin at Elite Muay Thai Santa Maria, but said the trip to Santa Maria is difficult from where he currently lives. His timing will depend on his skills, results and circumstances that would allow him to make that training commitment. For now, he expects to spend perhaps a couple more years in Muay Thai.

What did Yeshua McNew say about Orthodox Christianity and fighting?

Yeshua McNew said martial arts push him physically, mentally and spiritually, while his Orthodox Christian faith helps him stay steady before and during fights. He joined the Orthodox Church earlier in the year of the interview after visiting churches with a friend. Prayer, he said, is central to the mental fortitude he brings into competition.

Finding a church

McNew grew up attending a non-denominational church with his family, then spent a couple of years away from the faith. He and a friend later decided to return to church. Rather than choosing one immediately, they researched and visited churches across about eight Christian denominations before settling on Orthodoxy.

He said the kindness of the people they met, their reverence for tradition and their respect for God drew him in. McNew also said he was persuaded by what he sees as Orthodoxy’s historical continuity with the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. Those are the reasons he gave for his choice, alongside the experience of attending the church.

Prayer during fights

McNew said he prays before fights and continues praying during them, including the Jesus Prayer. He credits God with what he has and connects that belief to his ability to withstand difficult moments. Martial arts, he added, counter his tendency to be laid-back by making him challenge himself and push beyond his usual limits.

Why was Yeshua McNew’s home Beatdown Promotions fight his proudest moment?

Yeshua McNew identified his most recent Beatdown Promotions fight as his proudest moment because it was his gym’s first home event. Instead of traveling with only a small group of coaches and teammates, he fought with friends, family and teammates there to support him. He said the crowd’s energy and his victory made the occasion stand apart.

McNew explained that his team often travels hours to compete, including trips toward Los Angeles. At those events, the people immediately around him may be limited to his coaches and a few teammates. A home show gave a much larger part of his community the chance to be present together.

He singled out both the support and the way he earned the victory, without giving a result or method. The experience mattered to him because the people who had followed his work could share the moment in person. He described the feeling as difficult to find elsewhere in fighting.

How do Yeshua McNew’s gloves and striking style fit Muay Thai?

Yeshua McNew favors his kicks, which he considers a strength because of his long limbs, and has recently put more attention into boxing. His choice of gloves also reflects the demands of Muay Thai clinching: he praised Hayabusa’s quality but said he now leans toward Onyx gloves that make it easier to use his hands in the clinch.

Hayabusa and Onyx gloves

Early in his training, McNew used Hayabusa equipment and considered its gloves high quality. He found them comparatively stiff for clinching, however. He pointed instead to Onyx, Trevor Wittman’s MMA brand, and its boxing glove with an open palm. For McNew, that design makes clinch work easier while retaining a glove suited to punching.

That distinction matters to him because Muay Thai includes substantial grappling in the clinch as well as striking at range. McNew did not describe one brand as better for every fighter; he explained why the equipment he uses now fits the work he is doing.

Kicks and renewed attention to boxing

McNew sees his legs as an advantage and counts kicks among his strongest weapons. He has also become more interested in his punches after taking part in a boxing PKB event, which he said he enjoyed. Since then, he has spent more time refining his boxing alongside the kicks that already anchor his style.

What challenges did Yeshua McNew expect against wide Stevenson?

Yeshua McNew expected two new experiences against wide Stevenson: facing a southpaw for the first time and fighting without headgear or shin guards for the first time. He said the adjustments would be about getting used to the different look and feel. He trusts his conditioning and training partners to help him adapt.

McNew linked the change in protective equipment to the bout being his fourth sanctioned contest. He did not claim to know exactly how either adjustment would feel once the fight began. Instead, he pointed to the preparation he had already done with his partners and said he thought he could adapt quickly.

He thanked his main coaches, Greg and Ivan, for helping him prepare around Atascadero and the surrounding area. He also thanked Kru Albert, whom he described as the gym’s main kru and someone he has trained under for some time. Friends and family were planning to attend the event, adding to the support he expected at ringside.

Who is Yeshua McNew?

Yeshua McNew is a Muay Thai athlete based in Atascadero, California. He continues to develop his striking technique, discipline and strength while pursuing competitive combat sports.