Minnesota’s best 135-pounder will return to the cage on Friday for the first time in seven months.

Travis “The Hurricane” Reddinger will bring a 12-1 record into his fight against Elias Jones (0-2) at St. Paul Brawl, which will be held at the St. Paul Armory.

While the 28-year-old Reddinger has been away from the cage for seven months, he is coming off the biggest win of his career after beating Zach Wolff (14-8) for the Brutaal 135-pound title.

Reddinger, who has a degree in paramedicine and is currently balancing more schooling, training and clinical research work (not to mention a family), calls Friday’s fight a tuneup for bigger things ahead; he already has another fight scheduled in St. Paul for May.

We tracked down Reddinger in the middle of his crazy schedule.

Travis, thanks for the time ... I know you don’t have much free time! You’re a big 135-pounder. Has that been a tough cut for you?

REDDINGER: No, not really. At one point in my life, I was over 200 pounds. I started fighting at 155, and then I went to 145. Now I’m down to 135, and I think that’s the lowest I’ll go. This fight coming up will be my third time cutting to 135. The first time wasn’t too bad. The second time wasn’t too bad, but the worst part is that I was sick the week before the fight, and that made the water cut worse than I wanted. But I still felt great for that fight. I actually ended up probably feeling better for that fight than any other. I think 135 is a good place for me. With my size, I see how big the guys are at 145; some of them are just monsters now. I’d say 135 is a perfect home for my body. I walk around at about 155.

He’s just 0-2, but do you know anything about Elias Jones?

REDDINGER: Oh, is that who I’m fighting? I guess it could be. I’ve heard a couple names now. It’s changed so many times. My friends keep asking who I’m fighting, and I just tell them we don’t have a name yet for sure. I was going to fight Brandon Buchholz, and that fell through. Then it was some guy from Iowa, then some guy from Wisconsin. It’s kind of the way things go around here. For one of my fights, I had five opponent changes, and the last one was two hours before fight time. Without being at the big show, even with contracts and stuff, you still kind of have to expect it. If I get to a higher level like Palace or the WEC, then maybe it will change. But right now, there’s not a whole lot I can do about it. I mean, if I didn’t (accept opponent changes), I’d probably never have a fight.

You’re with Sergio Cunha and the Minnesota Fight Factory. What can you say about that crew?

REDDINGER: Sergio is an amazing coach. I was working with him for the title fight against Zach Wolff, and everyone said they noticed the difference he made. My standup is

so much better. It’s just something else how the little things he can show you make you so much better. I look at the guys who come in and work with him and watch them improve. I mean Travis Wiuff has been in a few times, and that guy has fought forever. I’m lucky to have Sergio on my side. He’s always checking on me, watching out for me. He’s like having another parent.

OK, so I’ve wanted to ask this one for a long time. The first time we met you were working as an EMT on one of Jami Klair’s shows down in Rochester. So, what does some injured guy say when Travis Reddinger, with all of his tattoos, piercings and a pink mohawk, shows up to help him out?

REDDINGER: Well, I get odd looks no matter what. It’s pretty interesting. I’m currently in nursing school, working toward a masters. People will give you a weird look, and they have to think for a minute. And then the questions start flying. It’s weird, they think I’m supposed to be some thug or some biker gang leader. Then they realize I have multiple college degrees. It’s always interesting, but for the most part, they give me respect rather than heckle me.

You’re back in school now. What’s the end goal for you as far as your schooling?

REDDINGER: Well, I have a degree in paramedicine, and I’m doing clinical research now. It’s what I’ve been doing for the last three years. I’m working towards my masters in nursing and eventually my DNP (doctor of nursing practice). I think I’ll end up in trauma or cardiac, one or the other. That will be in the end goal. I’m getting there. It’s a five-year plan, and I’m not too far off. It will take time, and it’s been tough because I just had a son in February, and that might set things eschew a little. But I talked things over with my fiancee, and it’s all working out well. Right now, I have everything balanced as good as it can be.

So are your days just crazy?

REDDINGER: Right now, it’s not too terribly difficult. But all of my days are completely planned out a long time in advance. It’s the way it has to be. I have a very set schedule, and to keep doing the things I want to do, it has to be that way. MMA keeps my mind sharp. Without it, I’d end up lazy and fat. It’s something I don’t want to give up.

You haven’t fought since September. Why the long layoff?

REDDINGER: With school, finals, the baby, I didn’t want to mess around with a fight if I couldn’t train like I needed to. Sergio talked about taking me to Brazil, but I wanted to see how things settled. There are a few different agents who’ve wanted me to come on with them, but a lot of those guys are a lot of talk without actually showing me the money and the opportunities. I’m just going to kind of wait and see what they will be able to do before I’m willing to sign with them for a couple of years. Agents can’t be giving me a fight on two days notice, against a really tough guy, forcing me to make 135 in two days. That happens too often, and I’m not willing to throw myself into that. With Sergio, he has enough contacts in Brazil and Washington, that I have opportunities.

What’s coming up for you? This is a tuneup fight, but there’s something bigger coming up, correct?

REDDINGER: Yes, this is a tuneup, and then I’ll be fighting again at the end of May. That one’s going to be a significantly tougher opponent, at least I hope it stays that way. There’s always the chance of a change, but I’d like to fight someone tough in May. I need to fight tougher guys; Sergio wants me fighting tougher guys. I think the Zach Wolff fight was a real eye-opener for people because a lot of people counted me out of that one. I hope it makes people notice.

What was your athletic background growing up?

REDDINGER: Well, I didn’t wrestle, and it seems like I’m the only guy in Minnesota who didn’t. I was busy doing plays and stuff in high school instead of wrestling. I did traditional martial arts for a while. I started realizing (MMA) would be more challenging, so I found somewhere to train. I didn’t plan on taking it this far when I first got started. But I’m happy with what I’ve done so far. It’s been a fun ride.

You’re striving to make it with a big promotion. Is that made tougher because you’re at 135-pounder?

REDDINGER: It’s a stacked weight class for sure. But if I really want to make a living doing this, I definitely have to push for the bigger promotions. But there are only a few of them. The WEC is where the best are, and Japan is always an option. No matter where I go, 135 is going to be stacked. I’m waiting for those opportuities to open up, and when they do, I’ll be ready to take them. But yes, it’s definitely limited at 135. People say move up to 155. But that’s a whole different level. I’d have to start all over again, bulk up. You can’t just throw on that kind of weight. You have to do it properly. Those guys at 155 are now cutting all the way from 190 sometimes. The athletes are getting better and they’re getting better at manipulating their bodies. I mean, when I started, I never thought I’d be at 135. But the more you work out, and the more you learn about your body, the more you understand how to do things.

In the first ever Minnesota MMA News unified rankings, you were ranked No. 1 in the state at 145 and below. What did you think about that ranking?

REDDINGER: It’s interesting. I actually got a phone call, and a buddy of mine told me to check it out. I actually hadn’t thought about it in a while. I’m not into the MMA world as much as some people think I am. I can’t tell you the last time I sat down and watched a UFC event. But it’s awesome. It’s amazing to see people think I’m there (at No. 1). It’s hard for me, because I’m so critical of myself. I still don’t see myself as being that good. It’s hard to tell you’re advancing while you’re training. Obviously, I know I’m better, but I can’t say I’m better here, here and here. But seeing those rankings was a good confidence booster. It also brings all the critics and puts the bull’s-eye on your back. People who don’t like you and want to fight you for one reason or another, they come out when they see a ranking like that. It’s awesome to see, though. It puts a target out there, but if it gets my name out there more, it’s only a good thing.

Is there anybody you’d like to thank?

REDDINGER: I’d definitely like to thank Kayla (my fiancee). She’s been patient, especially being pregnant, while I’ve been training and cutting weight. I’d like to thank Sergio (Cunha) for putting in so much time with me. He puts all that time and faith into me. He took me right into a title fight. He’s a great coach and a great person. I need to thank my sponsors, like Ansari’s Mediterranean Grill and Lounge, Renters Warehouse, Sexy Limos and Plasma Energy. They all make it possible for me to do what I do. I need to thank everyone at the Fight Factory. They all make me better. I’d like to thank my family and my fans. They give me a ton of support. I’m lucky to have a nice, big fanbase here that goes to all the shows. They’re screaming and supportive, and that’s No. 1. You can survive without the sponsors, but without fans, I wouldn’t be on as many cards. Everyone who supports me has been awesome, and I thank them all.