Article updated: 3/11/2012 9:50 AM

Moving Picture: Fighting champ coaching in Lake County

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Matt Fiordirosa watches his wrestler Regis Durbin during the North Suburban Conference wrestling championships in Libertyville.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Matt Fiordirosa jokes around with classmates at Trinity International University in Deerfield. He graduates in May.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

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Matt Fiordirosa talks with wrestler Chance Shea after he was injured during the North Suburban Conference wrestling championships in Libertyville.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

A poster featuring Jimmy Kennedy and other wresters from the University of Illinois hangs on the walls of Fiordirosa's bedroom. Fiordirosa wrestled with Kennedy at Grant High School and still keeps in touch with him.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

Fiordirosa keeps a wrestling "bible", which contains teachings from one of his mentors Israel Martinez, who is the owner of Izzy Style Wrestling and head coach at Montini High School.

Steve Lundy | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Matt "Sunshine" Fiordirosa was a four-time state wrestling qualifier for the Grant Bulldogs racking up an amazing record of 154-13. His career in the octagon as a Mixed Martial Arts fighter was 13-1. Now he's taking that bulldog-like mentality to the coaching realm, and working to complete his college degree.