"I had this idea I understood a lot about fighting, but really that knowledge was mainly in striking."
"Chris showed me a completely different world when it comes to grappling. There's so much I hadn't learned before, and honestly that means there's even more ahead of me to discover. I don't even know everything I need to know yet, but I'm driven to find out—I'm competitive by nature, and I want to pick up skills other fighters miss so I can stay ahead."
A strong start on the amateur circuit
Pajda took to the amateur cage for the first time on Nov. 22, 2019 at Havoc FC 14, earning a split-decision victory over Eric Haldemann.
Even though he'd sparred extensively across taekwondo, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu, Pajda described the rush of emotions surrounding his amateur debut—both during and in the buildup—as truly unforgettable.
"It was incredible; genuinely so much fun. I never got nervous about the fight, just pumped."
"Within the opening 30 seconds, my opponent landed a kick, and he sent it with enough power that I wasn't ready for it. Normally in sparring sessions you ease in with lower energy at first, ramping up as rounds progress. This was full throttle from minute one, and I immediately realized I needed to match that level. That was a wild experience, and something I hadn't encountered before."
Though he didn't land the finish, Pajda showed well-rounded skill in every phase of the game during his debut: taking down opponents repeatedly, controlling grappling exchanges, and landing clean strikes.
Since that first outing, Mattock noted Pajda has taken noticeable leaps forward in his craft—a development that will become evident the next time he enters the octagon.
"The foundation is wrestling, so shifting him toward submission grappling and kickboxing while pushing him to control the pace has been the main focus," Mattock explained.
"In his first MMA bout, he hesitated to commit to finishes. We went back to basics and worked heavily on his ability to hunt and close fights. Now we're seeing a major shift—he's competed three or four times since turning pro, and he's secured submissions at every jiu-jitsu tournament he's entered since."
Setting sights on the top
Still early in his amateur run, Pajda says MMA is something he envisions pursuing long-term as a profession.
After leaving university to dedicate himself fully to training, Pajda feels equipped with the time, commitment, and discipline needed to chase the sport seriously.
"This is absolutely something I'm committed to pursuing. I'm the kind of person who, once I decide I really want something, I go all in at full speed," Pajda shared.
"The sport is just so enjoyable. The rush you feel while training, sparring, and stepping inside the cage is unreal. Even though it's intense and carries risk, it's still incredibly fun, and I completely get why people chase it professionally."
Like most amateurs eyeing MMA as a career, Pajda's ultimate aim is reaching the sport's pinnacle.
Given the talent he's shown, combined with his work ethic and natural athletic ability, Mattock believes Pajda is capable of reaching that summit.
"I have this discussion regularly with my training partners, and we genuinely believe he has the potential to reach the UFC. We'll ensure he receives the right coaching, and I'm confident he'll enjoy a highly successful amateur career," Mattock stated.
"The momentum and lessons he gathers as an amateur will turn him into someone formidable on the professional side. I think the sky's the limit for him. Watch for him over the next four or five years."
