With the rise of MMA on a global scale, who can represent the three stars and a sun in the most prestigious organization in the world? More importantly, are our fighters ready to step up to the plate?
Iloilo’s very own Jenel Lausa (7-2, UFC: 1-0) may very well be one who can finally make a breakthrough in the biggest promotion in the world, the UFC.
November 26, 2016, was the day that the “Demolition Man” introduced himself to the UFC’s Flyweight Divison, taking a unanimous decision win against his biggest challenge yet, Yao Zhikui.
But instead of basking in the limelight after achieving the feat, Lausa stayed true.
Tsuyoshi Sakurai, one of his managers, shared that after Lausa had won, the Filipino flyweight didn’t want to watch the rest of the card nor eat in the free buffet everyone is entitled to after their fight; instead, they went straight to the nearby church so Lausa could thank the Man above.
Moreover, Lausa is not resting on his laurels.
Lausa’s manager Ashley Bennett announced in a recent press conference that his next fight will be overseas, and Las Vegas could be the next stop for the four-year MMA veteran. Because of this, they plan to send him to the States to train a couple of months ahead of his fight to sharpen the sword well for his quest to break into the top 10 of the flyweight division.
Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts would be the most ideal gym to train in according to the Iloilo native. He emphasized how he would want to be the nail instead of being the hammer on a daily basis because it keeps him on his toes to improve on his weaknesses and he thinks going to Albuquerque, New Mexico, will do just that for him.
“Siyempre gusto ko doon sa bigatin mga ka ensayo ko kaya napili ko kay Jackson sa New Mexico kasama sila Jon Jones,” Lausa quipped.
Lausa’s dream is to be able to put himself out there the way Conor McGregor has done, to have a crack at Demetrious Johnson’s belt in the 125lb division. And he knows that the key to this is to work harder than he did the day before.
“Kailangan lang mag tiyaga para matuloy pangarap mo,” the 28-year-old shared.
“Kung wala MMA, wala ako siguro dito ngayon.”
Lausa’s talent got him to where he is right now. But his thirst for learning and his humility will lead him to where he is destined to be.
