Which UFC fighters from Brazil would make an unbeatable soccer team? Here are our picks:Bigfoot Silva – 1 He may not be the fastest, but with those hands, certainly the biggest in the UFC, he would undoubtedly be a great goalkeeper, covering every sing…
Which UFC fighters from Brazil would make an unbeatable soccer team? Here are our picks:Bigfoot Silva – 1 He may not be the fastest, but with those hands, certainly the biggest in the UFC, he would undoubtedly be a great goalkeeper, covering every single corner.Vitor Belfort – 2The Phenom could well be one of the best fullbacks. We know Brazilians are known for their offense, but Vitor has one of the best defenses in the UFC, and he certainly has the cardio and the speed to run around the court and launch an attack at any time. Shogun Rua – 3 Shogun Rua is always willing to take on anyone, wit … Read the Full Article Here
“I bring a red rooster that has never been cracked in the ring of the arena”
So says a popular Mexican ranchera song by Vicente Fernandez, called El Palenque. It’s the walkout song chosen by Kelvin Gastelum for this Saturday, April 13, when he battles Uriah Hall for three rounds or less to decide who will become the new Ultimate Fighter.
Kelvin was the youngest of the 14 fighters to enter the house under the command of coaches Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, and the last pick of coach Sonnen, as 12 fighters were chosen before him for both Sonnen and the champion Jon Jones.
His rival Hall was the second pick of Sonnen, and a heavy favorite after devastating performances in all of his fights, including the spinning hook kick knockout over Adam Cella, which was one of the most spectacular knockouts in TUF history. And then after his knockouts over Bubba McDaniel and Dylan Andrews, you could say he is a safe bet.
Does this matter to Kelvin? Not at all. With only five professional fights heading into the show, you might think the Mexican-American would have the disadvantage due to a lack of experience. However, he made it all the way to the final in one of the most competitive and difficult seasons in the history of TUF, beating McDaniel and Josh Samman by submission, and Collin Hart by KO.
“It was a good experience, obviously. I had confidence in myself, I knew I could achieve what few thought, and I knew I had the talent to do what I did,” says the 21-year-old. “I lived a year in Ciudad Obregon. My grandfather and grandmother are from there, my mother then came to the U.S. and I have always spoken Spanish with her. I was born in San Jose, California and raised there until I was eight, and since then I have lived in Yuma.”
Hall is 8-2 in his career, his only two losses against top 10 UFC middleweight fighters Costa Philippou and Chris Weidman), and that fact and what he did in his three TUF fights could be intimidating. But not to Kelvin, who believes he can be the one who defeats Hall.
“Uriah is a great talent and he poses many problems, but I think I can beat him in any area; in boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu. I have no strategy, he will attempt to drop his kicks and do what he can do, but I do not think he wants to go down to the mat with me and that’s where the key will be and where I will be able to win.”
All Kelvin’s opponents were favorites over him, and it was rumored in the TUF house that Kelvin was the fight everyone wanted because they thought he was the safe fight. No doubt they all think differently today. The setting is ideal for Kelvin, who has nothing to lose, no matter who the opponent is.
Coach Chael Sonnen did not hide his surprise with Kelvin, saying he was a regular fighter that improved “and now could win this,” to Ronda Rousey when the champion visited the TUF gym to train with Kelvin, a big fan of hers.
“Sonnen is great coach, I remember he told me that it doesn’t matter if you’re fighting in front of thousands of people or in front of 300, it’s the same and I must focus just the same as in practice, and that state of mind is one of the things I learned. My mind is my greatest strength. I lock myself in my head and tell myself I’m invincible and nobody can beat me, and so I go out and fight.”
Despite having his own fight upon him, Kelvin also takes the time to talk about his coach and how the outcome of UFC 159 main event between champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen will be.
“Jones represents many problems, but I think he has not fought someone like Chael. Chael will always come forward, pushing forward, forward, and Chael’s wrestling is on another level, so I think he’s going to win.”
You wouldn’t expect anything less from an underdog but to support his own underdog coach against one of the most dominant champions we’ve ever seen.
But two things are clear after talking to this young talent: one, he has a great and promising future. His first fight was at 17 and a few years later he is about to start to write his history, so get used to his song, because it appears El Palenque will play regularly in the Octagon. And two, he does not care what anyone says about him, he comes to fight, to win, when he enters the Octagon, ladies and gentlemen, this rooster will not crack.
“I bring a red rooster that has never been cracked in the ring of the arena”
So says a popular Mexican ranchera song by Vicente Fernandez, called El Palenque. It’s the walkout song chosen by Kelvin Gastelum for this Saturday, April 13, when he battles Uriah Hall for three rounds or less to decide who will become the new Ultimate Fighter.
Kelvin was the youngest of the 14 fighters to enter the house under the command of coaches Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, and the last pick of coach Sonnen, as 12 fighters were chosen before him for both Sonnen and the champion Jon Jones.
His rival Hall was the second pick of Sonnen, and a heavy favorite after devastating performances in all of his fights, including the spinning hook kick knockout over Adam Cella, which was one of the most spectacular knockouts in TUF history. And then after his knockouts over Bubba McDaniel and Dylan Andrews, you could say he is a safe bet.
Does this matter to Kelvin? Not at all. With only five professional fights heading into the show, you might think the Mexican-American would have the disadvantage due to a lack of experience. However, he made it all the way to the final in one of the most competitive and difficult seasons in the history of TUF, beating McDaniel and Josh Samman by submission, and Collin Hart by KO.
“It was a good experience, obviously. I had confidence in myself, I knew I could achieve what few thought, and I knew I had the talent to do what I did,” says the 21-year-old. “I lived a year in Ciudad Obregon. My grandfather and grandmother are from there, my mother then came to the U.S. and I have always spoken Spanish with her. I was born in San Jose, California and raised there until I was eight, and since then I have lived in Yuma.”
Hall is 8-2 in his career, his only two losses against top 10 UFC middleweight fighters Costa Philippou and Chris Weidman), and that fact and what he did in his three TUF fights could be intimidating. But not to Kelvin, who believes he can be the one who defeats Hall.
“Uriah is a great talent and he poses many problems, but I think I can beat him in any area; in boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu. I have no strategy, he will attempt to drop his kicks and do what he can do, but I do not think he wants to go down to the mat with me and that’s where the key will be and where I will be able to win.”
All Kelvin’s opponents were favorites over him, and it was rumored in the TUF house that Kelvin was the fight everyone wanted because they thought he was the safe fight. No doubt they all think differently today. The setting is ideal for Kelvin, who has nothing to lose, no matter who the opponent is.
Coach Chael Sonnen did not hide his surprise with Kelvin, saying he was a regular fighter that improved “and now could win this,” to Ronda Rousey when the champion visited the TUF gym to train with Kelvin, a big fan of hers.
“Sonnen is great coach, I remember he told me that it doesn’t matter if you’re fighting in front of thousands of people or in front of 300, it’s the same and I must focus just the same as in practice, and that state of mind is one of the things I learned. My mind is my greatest strength. I lock myself in my head and tell myself I’m invincible and nobody can beat me, and so I go out and fight.”
Despite having his own fight upon him, Kelvin also takes the time to talk about his coach and how the outcome of UFC 159 main event between champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen will be.
“Jones represents many problems, but I think he has not fought someone like Chael. Chael will always come forward, pushing forward, forward, and Chael’s wrestling is on another level, so I think he’s going to win.”
You wouldn’t expect anything less from an underdog but to support his own underdog coach against one of the most dominant champions we’ve ever seen.
But two things are clear after talking to this young talent: one, he has a great and promising future. His first fight was at 17 and a few years later he is about to start to write his history, so get used to his song, because it appears El Palenque will play regularly in the Octagon. And two, he does not care what anyone says about him, he comes to fight, to win, when he enters the Octagon, ladies and gentlemen, this rooster will not crack.
6:55 Average length of headliner Gegard Mousasi‘s last 14 fights
1 Number of no contests on headliner Ilir Latifi‘s record due to a cage breaking
75 Percent of Latifi’s eight career wins that have come via finish
88 Percent of Mousasi’s 33 career victories that have
6 Age at which Latifi started wrestling
8 Age at which Mousasi began judo lessons 7 Total number of fights Ryan Couture has had
30 Total number of fights his father, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, had when he retired
1 Rank of Ryan Couture in striking accuracy among lightweights in Strikeforcebr> 3 Rank of Ross Pearson amoung UFC lightweights in number of strikes landed per minute
2.61 Average number of strikes landed per minute by a UFC fighter
4.38, 3.68 Average number of significant strikes landed per minute by Pearson and Couture (respectively) as lightweights
100 Percent of lightweight bouts in which Ross Pearson has outstruck his opponent 75 Percent of fighters in Saturday’s main and co-main events who are making their UFC debuts
7 Number of preliminary fights scheduled to be broadcast for free on Facebook (starting at 4:50 pm local/11:50 am ET/8:50 am PT)
5 Number of post-fight bonuses won by Brad Pickett in the UFC and WEC 8 Number of submission wins owned by Phil De Fries
0 Number of submission losses owned by Matt Mitrione
11 Countries represented at FUEL TV 9 (Iran, Sweden, USA, Brazil, England, Russia, Ireland, Australia, Netherlands, Congo, Syria)
6:55 Average length of headliner Gegard Mousasi‘s last 14 fights
1 Number of no contests on headliner Ilir Latifi‘s record due to a cage breaking
75 Percent of Latifi’s eight career wins that have come via finish
88 Percent of Mousasi’s 33 career victories that have
6 Age at which Latifi started wrestling
8 Age at which Mousasi began judo lessons 7 Total number of fights Ryan Couture has had
30 Total number of fights his father, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, had when he retired
1 Rank of Ryan Couture in striking accuracy among lightweights in Strikeforce<br> 3 Rank of Ross Pearson amoung UFC lightweights in number of strikes landed per minute
2.61 Average number of strikes landed per minute by a UFC fighter
4.38, 3.68 Average number of significant strikes landed per minute by Pearson and Couture (respectively) as lightweights
100 Percent of lightweight bouts in which Ross Pearson has outstruck his opponent 75 Percent of fighters in Saturday’s main and co-main events who are making their UFC debuts
7 Number of preliminary fights scheduled to be broadcast for free on Facebook (starting at 4:50 pm local/11:50 am ET/8:50 am PT)
5 Number of post-fight bonuses won by Brad Pickett in the UFC and WEC 8 Number of submission wins owned by Phil De Fries
0 Number of submission losses owned by Matt Mitrione
11 Countries represented at FUEL TV 9 (Iran, Sweden, USA, Brazil, England, Russia, Ireland, Australia, Netherlands, Congo, Syria)
It’s no secret that women have had an uphill battle in achieving equality in several aspects of life, including professional sports. And although the situation has changed positively over the years, it is still a slow and inefficient process, with women often fighting twice as hard to achieve their objectives.
This Saturday, we will see two women fighting inside the UFC Octagon for the first time, and with a title on the line no less, as Ronda Rousey defends her women’s bantamweight crown against Liz Carmouche in the main event of UFC 157. And just like that, women have the place they deserve in the organization: the same as any other fighter.
This pair of talented athletes is not only representing women, but other important demographic groups as well. Ronda is Latina. Her maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Venezuela, her mother still speaks Spanish, as does her sister Maria. Ronda didn’t learn the language, as she struggled with a speech impediment as a child, putting her in another segment of the population that has often struggled in society: girls who are bullied and teased by classmates and others. As for the challenger, Liz is gay, with the US Marine Corps veteran proudly declaring “I am the first lesbian UFC fighter.” In addition, she not only trains MMA, but does it while working at a gym in San Diego, doing front desk work, teaching and opening and closing the facility.
Representing not only themselves but several others can often be a burden, but these impressive young ladies have embraced this part of such a historic occasion.
“I cannot put into words what this means, it is an honor to be here,” said Liz about being part of UFC 157. Living with her girlfriend Eliza Lopez in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood, Carmouche represents the gay and lesbian community all the way to her rainbow mouthpiece.
Her opponent, not surprisingly, is an exemplary woman too. Her mother AnnMaria De Mars is the first American (male or female) to win a World Judo Championship, and she also has two master degrees and a doctorate degree. More importantly, she taught her daughter many important lessons.
Rousey’s sister, Maria Burns Ortiz, also successfully transitioned to sports as a reporter for ESPN and FOX News Latino. “My mother raised us as any Latina mother, always encouraging us to do better,” said Burns Ortiz. “Nobody believes that Ronda is Latina, but she was raised in this bilingual environment more common today. She was always competitive. I think she is above average, and until someone stops her she will keep submitting everybody. Also, just because they haven’t seen her do anything else does not mean she cannot; she will do whatever it takes to win, not matter what the cost. It’s her way.”
Overcoming obstacles isn’t always easy, and it certainly wasn’t for Carmouche. While serving in the Marines she did three tours of duty in Iraq, and she says these experiences formed her and made sure that nothing could ever intimidate her. But her internal struggle was still present, for at that time she was forced to keep her homosexuality hidden. Liz says she was forced to live with the fear of being found out and paying the consequences, but as soon as she had the opportunity she made it public, without fear or shame anymore, just living her life as one should: normally. And although she doesn’t wave her homosexuality as a flag, she certainly is an example for the gay and lesbian community, for whom all those who achieve success are role models and represent small victories.
“When I was little I had to make up and imagine all these girl role models that weren’t there,” says Ronda about her childhood, but luckily for girls today, she and Liz have become those examples that anyone would love to follow. Maria adds, “She should be a role model for Latinas; many may not know it but when they realize she is Hispanic they may go ‘wow, that makes her even cooler.’ And because there are not many outstanding Hispanic female athletes, Ronda is breaking boundaries.”
No doubt. Just like all those seeking to improve their lives and overcome any obstacle in front of them, whether Latino immigrants, homosexuals, or women just looking for equality, it’s worth repeating that Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche are breaking boundaries. And if someone still doubts it, they’d better move out of the way.
“It makes me mad that people are like ‘How dare you think so much of yourself, how dare you to think that you can do all this?’” said Ronda. “You know what, I had to work my ass off to believe in myself. How dare you believe that I shouldn’t? I don’t know how you’re supposed to retain any kind of faith in people when you have to deal with that all the time.”
Well, the answer is that when you see this pair of women, it makes it easy to keep faith in people.
It’s no secret that women have had an uphill battle in achieving equality in several aspects of life, including professional sports. And although the situation has changed positively over the years, it is still a slow and inefficient process, with women often fighting twice as hard to achieve their objectives.
This Saturday, we will see two women fighting inside the UFC Octagon for the first time, and with a title on the line no less, as Ronda Rousey defends her women’s bantamweight crown against Liz Carmouche in the main event of UFC 157. And just like that, women have the place they deserve in the organization: the same as any other fighter.
This pair of talented athletes is not only representing women, but other important demographic groups as well. Ronda is Latina. Her maternal grandfather was an immigrant from Venezuela, her mother still speaks Spanish, as does her sister Maria. Ronda didn’t learn the language, as she struggled with a speech impediment as a child, putting her in another segment of the population that has often struggled in society: girls who are bullied and teased by classmates and others. As for the challenger, Liz is gay, with the US Marine Corps veteran proudly declaring “I am the first lesbian UFC fighter.” In addition, she not only trains MMA, but does it while working at a gym in San Diego, doing front desk work, teaching and opening and closing the facility.
Representing not only themselves but several others can often be a burden, but these impressive young ladies have embraced this part of such a historic occasion.
“I cannot put into words what this means, it is an honor to be here,” said Liz about being part of UFC 157. Living with her girlfriend Eliza Lopez in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood, Carmouche represents the gay and lesbian community all the way to her rainbow mouthpiece.
Her opponent, not surprisingly, is an exemplary woman too. Her mother AnnMaria De Mars is the first American (male or female) to win a World Judo Championship, and she also has two master degrees and a doctorate degree. More importantly, she taught her daughter many important lessons.
Rousey’s sister, Maria Burns Ortiz, also successfully transitioned to sports as a reporter for ESPN and FOX News Latino. “My mother raised us as any Latina mother, always encouraging us to do better,” said Burns Ortiz. “Nobody believes that Ronda is Latina, but she was raised in this bilingual environment more common today. She was always competitive. I think she is above average, and until someone stops her she will keep submitting everybody. Also, just because they haven’t seen her do anything else does not mean she cannot; she will do whatever it takes to win, not matter what the cost. It’s her way.”
Overcoming obstacles isn’t always easy, and it certainly wasn’t for Carmouche. While serving in the Marines she did three tours of duty in Iraq, and she says these experiences formed her and made sure that nothing could ever intimidate her. But her internal struggle was still present, for at that time she was forced to keep her homosexuality hidden. Liz says she was forced to live with the fear of being found out and paying the consequences, but as soon as she had the opportunity she made it public, without fear or shame anymore, just living her life as one should: normally. And although she doesn’t wave her homosexuality as a flag, she certainly is an example for the gay and lesbian community, for whom all those who achieve success are role models and represent small victories.
“When I was little I had to make up and imagine all these girl role models that weren’t there,” says Ronda about her childhood, but luckily for girls today, she and Liz have become those examples that anyone would love to follow. Maria adds, “She should be a role model for Latinas; many may not know it but when they realize she is Hispanic they may go ‘wow, that makes her even cooler.’ And because there are not many outstanding Hispanic female athletes, Ronda is breaking boundaries.”
No doubt. Just like all those seeking to improve their lives and overcome any obstacle in front of them, whether Latino immigrants, homosexuals, or women just looking for equality, it’s worth repeating that Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche are breaking boundaries. And if someone still doubts it, they’d better move out of the way.
“It makes me mad that people are like ‘How dare you think so much of yourself, how dare you to think that you can do all this?’” said Ronda. “You know what, I had to work my ass off to believe in myself. How dare you believe that I shouldn’t? I don’t know how you’re supposed to retain any kind of faith in people when you have to deal with that all the time.”
Well, the answer is that when you see this pair of women, it makes it easy to keep faith in people.
Many would be happy to reach the UFC and get a chance to fight the best MMA athletes in the world, but that’s not enough for Ulysses Gomez. He’s here to win.
Positioned at number 10 at flyweight in the current UFC rankings, Gomez is already in England for what will be his second fight in the Octagon at UFC on FUEL TV 7 this Saturday, a bout against veteran Phil Harris. His first UFC bout was a bitter one, as he debuted with less than two weeks notice at UFC on FOX 4 last August, and was defeated by the man who now has the opportunity to compete for the title held by 125-pound champion Demetrious Johnson: John Moraga.
Although born in Los Angeles, Ulysses lives the story of many Mexican immigrants, who, like their parents, are also fighters. Even as a child, he was fighting with his brother Herculez, striker for the U.S. National Soccer Team and Club Santos in Torreon, Mexico.
“Ulysses was calm and respectful, but we fought like brothers. We were competing but always together; I never thought he would be a fighter though, until he was 17 or 18. I saw in him the passion for MMA,” says Herculez, remembering those typical brotherly battles that somehow presaged the future of Ulysses, who, despite also having played football, walked another way.
Interestingly, Ulysses is now fighting in England, the country that gave modern soccer to the world.
“My opponent Harris is British, so the audience will want me to lose, but I will not. I don’t mind being the underdog. I am small, and that’s one of the reasons why I started training. When I was little I was the joke for everyone: ‘It’s like a Chihuahua’ they said, and I was never as good as my brother in soccer, but fighting was different.”
That’s why he’s in the UFC now, where he belongs, and where he can fight the best in the world in one of the organization’s newest divisions: flyweight.
“Our division is still small and can be tricky, because we are few but those few are the best in the world, so every UFC fight will be very difficult. If I win a few fights, I could have shot at the title; many of my friends tell me ‘you’re in the UFC, you must be very good,’ but I don’t want that; I want to win.”
His brother runs into similar questions.
“Tim Howard (U.S. National Team and Everton goalkeeper) is a big fan. His brother also practices MMA, just not professionally, so we talked about it, and in Mexico they ask me about my brother as the sport grows more and more and they all know he’s a fighter.”
And although in different disciplines, this pair of brothers shares a winning mentality. Herculez, the big brother, advises Ulysses on the life of a professional athlete: “We talked about the pressure of being in the public eye, that what you do there will be many people’s business, so you have to stay focused. While our sports are different, life is not. “
And yes, life changes, whether you are a soccer player or a UFC fighter. Ulysses gives his best example: “What has changed in my life? I have a wife now! With the money from my first fight I bought her the engagement ring. Well, actually we’re going to be married in April or May, maybe my brother can come. But she said yes; how will she say no? I’m very handsome (Laughs).”
The older brother doesn’t just share his brother’s passion, but he also knows the sport and he had the opportunity to join some of Ulysses’ training camps.
“Oh it has my respect. It’s not easy; it is a profession and a sport that demands a lot physically. I experienced it firsthand. Long ago I learned that I must take care of my body if I want to have a successful career, and the type of training that Ulysses taught me are movements we do not work on in soccer. And it has helped me a lot. Because not everyone does it, it can give you an advantage. You get used to another type of physical wear on the field so when you’re tired or out of breath, you find that second breath faster. But I couldn’t be a fighter at all. It’s a different mentality,” says Herculez, who has been exposed to media pressure and the life of a professional sportsman longer than Ulysses, but who has also managed to see the sportsmanship of an MMA fighter through his brother.
“I even cornered him once. What surprised me the most was the respect every fighter has. It’s a different mentality to what I’ve seen before. Not everyone has that. You see what these fighters do in their lives – the physical, mental and psychological effort – and anyone could benefit from learning that. “
“Hopefully he can see the fight,” says Ulysses, thinking of his brother and his family always supporting him. This will definitely be his toughest fight so far, not only because of the venue, opponent, and the moment, but because none of them will be beside the Octagon.
“I have 12 fights, my parents and my wife were at all of them, and I like it. It can be two thousand or ten thousand people at a fight, and I can always hear my mother’s voice. She won’t be there, but her heart will.”
“Hopefully I can see the fight,” says Herculez, knowing that the same day he will be playing in the local Mexican league with his team. “It’s hard to watch his fights; he’s still my little brother! But it’s what he likes, and he’s good at it. He always has our support. I was in London once, did a preseason at the Arsenal facilities, and it’s a beautiful city; I was also on vacation, but I never thought of that city with the jitters I’ll have for this fight. “
Ulysses’ bout will be at 11am Mexico time, the first fight of the night in London, and can be seen free worldwide at the UFC Facebook fan page. Herculez will be playing in the city of Monterrey in Mexico that night, marking a great Saturday for two successful brothers, and a great Saturday for the Gomez family.
Many would be happy to reach the UFC and get a chance to fight the best MMA athletes in the world, but that’s not enough for Ulysses Gomez. He’s here to win.
Positioned at number 10 at flyweight in the current UFC rankings, Gomez is already in England for what will be his second fight in the Octagon at UFC on FUEL TV 7 this Saturday, a bout against veteran Phil Harris. His first UFC bout was a bitter one, as he debuted with less than two weeks notice at UFC on FOX 4 last August, and was defeated by the man who now has the opportunity to compete for the title held by 125-pound champion Demetrious Johnson: John Moraga.
Although born in Los Angeles, Ulysses lives the story of many Mexican immigrants, who, like their parents, are also fighters. Even as a child, he was fighting with his brother Herculez, striker for the U.S. National Soccer Team and Club Santos in Torreon, Mexico.
“Ulysses was calm and respectful, but we fought like brothers. We were competing but always together; I never thought he would be a fighter though, until he was 17 or 18. I saw in him the passion for MMA,” says Herculez, remembering those typical brotherly battles that somehow presaged the future of Ulysses, who, despite also having played football, walked another way.
Interestingly, Ulysses is now fighting in England, the country that gave modern soccer to the world.
“My opponent Harris is British, so the audience will want me to lose, but I will not. I don’t mind being the underdog. I am small, and that’s one of the reasons why I started training. When I was little I was the joke for everyone: ‘It’s like a Chihuahua’ they said, and I was never as good as my brother in soccer, but fighting was different.”
That’s why he’s in the UFC now, where he belongs, and where he can fight the best in the world in one of the organization’s newest divisions: flyweight.
“Our division is still small and can be tricky, because we are few but those few are the best in the world, so every UFC fight will be very difficult. If I win a few fights, I could have shot at the title; many of my friends tell me ‘you’re in the UFC, you must be very good,’ but I don’t want that; I want to win.”
His brother runs into similar questions.
“Tim Howard (U.S. National Team and Everton goalkeeper) is a big fan. His brother also practices MMA, just not professionally, so we talked about it, and in Mexico they ask me about my brother as the sport grows more and more and they all know he’s a fighter.”
And although in different disciplines, this pair of brothers shares a winning mentality. Herculez, the big brother, advises Ulysses on the life of a professional athlete: “We talked about the pressure of being in the public eye, that what you do there will be many people’s business, so you have to stay focused. While our sports are different, life is not. “
And yes, life changes, whether you are a soccer player or a UFC fighter. Ulysses gives his best example: “What has changed in my life? I have a wife now! With the money from my first fight I bought her the engagement ring. Well, actually we’re going to be married in April or May, maybe my brother can come. But she said yes; how will she say no? I’m very handsome (Laughs).”
The older brother doesn’t just share his brother’s passion, but he also knows the sport and he had the opportunity to join some of Ulysses’ training camps.
“Oh it has my respect. It’s not easy; it is a profession and a sport that demands a lot physically. I experienced it firsthand. Long ago I learned that I must take care of my body if I want to have a successful career, and the type of training that Ulysses taught me are movements we do not work on in soccer. And it has helped me a lot. Because not everyone does it, it can give you an advantage. You get used to another type of physical wear on the field so when you’re tired or out of breath, you find that second breath faster. But I couldn’t be a fighter at all. It’s a different mentality,” says Herculez, who has been exposed to media pressure and the life of a professional sportsman longer than Ulysses, but who has also managed to see the sportsmanship of an MMA fighter through his brother.
“I even cornered him once. What surprised me the most was the respect every fighter has. It’s a different mentality to what I’ve seen before. Not everyone has that. You see what these fighters do in their lives – the physical, mental and psychological effort – and anyone could benefit from learning that. “
“Hopefully he can see the fight,” says Ulysses, thinking of his brother and his family always supporting him. This will definitely be his toughest fight so far, not only because of the venue, opponent, and the moment, but because none of them will be beside the Octagon.
“I have 12 fights, my parents and my wife were at all of them, and I like it. It can be two thousand or ten thousand people at a fight, and I can always hear my mother’s voice. She won’t be there, but her heart will.”
“Hopefully I can see the fight,” says Herculez, knowing that the same day he will be playing in the local Mexican league with his team. “It’s hard to watch his fights; he’s still my little brother! But it’s what he likes, and he’s good at it. He always has our support. I was in London once, did a preseason at the Arsenal facilities, and it’s a beautiful city; I was also on vacation, but I never thought of that city with the jitters I’ll have for this fight. “
Ulysses’ bout will be at 11am Mexico time, the first fight of the night in London, and can be seen free worldwide at the UFC Facebook fan page. Herculez will be playing in the city of Monterrey in Mexico that night, marking a great Saturday for two successful brothers, and a great Saturday for the Gomez family.
From September 15 to October 15, America celebrates Hispanic
Heritage Month, designed to honor the cultural contributions of Hispanics and
Latin Americans. And UFC joins in the festivities with special programming on
UFCLatino.com and UFC on Demand….
From September 15 to October 15, America celebrates Hispanic
Heritage Month, designed to honor the cultural contributions of Hispanics and
Latin Americans. And UFC joins in the festivities with special programming on UFCLatino.com and UFC on Demand. Check your cable operator’s VOD offerings for
free all-Spanish programming, plus 14 remarkable fights for only 99 cents each.
Two current of the seven current UFC champions are American
born with Mexican blood — Dominick Cruz and Cain Velasquez. Heavyweight Velasquez’
Mexican heritage is so ingrained in his identity that he walks out to a Mexican
ranchero, a song that mirrors the story of his father’s frequent journeys
across the border in search of a better life.
So what makes Hispanic fighters different? As Cain has said,
they always fight their hearts out.
Besides its heaviest and lightest titleholders, the UFC has
several notable Hispanic fighters. And with the addition of the bantamweight
(135 pound) and featherweight (145 pound) divisions, UFC president Dana White
recently told journalists that he believes Latinos will dominate those divisions
in the near future, as they have done for years in boxing.
The vast Hispanic diaspora can be seen on the
UFC’s diverse roster, featuring athletes descended from El Salvador, Mexico,
Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and more.
Here, a quien es quien of Hispanic fighters:
* The Ultimate Fighter series has boasted several
standout Hispanic fighters: the always-spectacular season 1 winner Diego
Sanchez, a long-time fan favorite for the commitment and fury he shows every
time he steps into the Octagon; season 5 winner Nate Diaz; season 8 champ Efraín
“Hecho en México” Escudero and season 14 king Tony “El Cucuy”
Ferguson, who won via vicious KO on Ramsey Nijem. Ferguson and Diaz both fought
Saturday night at UFC 135, alongside Ricardo Romero, who brandishes proud
Puerto Rican roots.
* Peruvian-American Kenny Florian also emerged
from TUF 1, and after fighting in a record four different weight classes, is
preparing to battle for the featherweight title at UFC 136 on October 8th.
TUF 12 fan favorite Alex Caceres – better known as “Bruce Leeroy” – was born to
Cuban-Dominican parents in Miami.
* UFC 136 sees two other Mexican-rooted fighters in
action: Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltrán welcomes the heavyweight Stipe Miocic
to the UFC. Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, who retired the WEC lightweight belt, is
also on the roster (his mother has Mexican blood, and his family name was
originally Perez, but it was anglicized by his great-grandfather).
* Another third generation star is Carlos Condit,
who will fight against the dominant Georges St-Pierre in the main event of UFC
137 on October 29th in Las Vegas. In the co-main event on that same fight card
is former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, older brother of Nate.
* In the lighter weight classes, favorites include Miguel Angel Torres,
former WEC Bantamweight Champ; bantamweight contender Joseph Benavidez
and his undefeated Alpha Male teammate, featherweight Chad
Mendes; Fight of the Night specialist Leonard “Bad Boy” García;
featherweight Pablo Garza who’s had two flashy Octagon finishes – his upcoming bout
against Dustin Poirier and was the first fight announced for the UFC on Fox
debut. Featherweight Ricardo Lamas is also featured on the November 12 card.
“I bring a red rooster that has never been cracked in the ring of the arena”
Many would be happy to reach the