The Mexican fighter has taken a few days off to relax in the Caribbean before starting to prepare for his professional commitments next November, and has chosen the comfort and service of the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda for his stay.
Erik is Mexico’s big prospect in the UFC. Born in Monterrey, at just 26 years old his numbers and stats put him in a great position to go for the world championship title in his category and weight shortly. Discipline and self-control this young man’s principal assets, who pushes his body to the limit day in day out with four intensive training sessions.The Aztec fighter, 172cm in height and weighing 61kg is pure dynamite inside the octagon, and he feels, and loves, the pressure and responsibility of taking Mexico to the top of a sport with an ever increasing number of fans worldwide.
The UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is the world’s premier mixed martial arts competition. A discipline that includes boxing, greco-roman wrestling, muay thai, judo, jiujitsu and karate techniques with heavy doses of aggressiveness and entertainment. While staying at the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda at the end of August, we got the chance to have a few words with this exceptional Mexican sportsman about his early days, views, and future plans within the UFC.
Tell us a little about your sport, what’s the most important aspect for you?
I love everything about it. Sport conveys so many things, and it made me completely change my lifestyle and how I am. It teaches you a lot of values about respect and more than anything; it gives you peace of mind.
When did you start to get involved in this discipline?
I started with lucha libre and boxing when I was very young. I was crazy about it, back then I used to watch lots of the Santo & Blue Demon movies. For me, boxers like Al Finito López and Eric Morales were like superheroes.
I started to do boxing training, but something caught my eye, and I wanted more. I wanted to know how to throw down, to kick. Basically, I wanted to learn more. I’m one of those people who likes learning, and mixed martial arts has a bit of everything, boxing, olympic wrestling, jiu jitsu, judo, greco-roman wrestling, so it’s a complete sport. I feel there is always something new to learn and I can continue to make progress.
When did you start to train your body and soul in preparation to become a UFC fighter?
I moved to New Mexico when I was in my 20s and began to train professionally and then I started fighting with the best in the world.
How do you define yourself as a fighter and what are your aspirations and upcoming fights in the UFC?
I’m new on the scene, but things are coming together, I’m convinced I’m going to get the belt and the title. I’m different in each fight, and I know I’ll be the champ sooner or later. I have my sights set on very clearly defined goals. My next fight is on the 4th or 5th of November in Mexico City and after that, we’re coming back here to this fantastic hotel to relax.
What has been your toughest fight?
Every fight is hard. The biggest battle for me was leaving everything behind, moving away from my family, my country, and heading off in search of my dreams. We’re all warriors here, life is the greatest battle, it always gives you a few knocks here and there, but you’ve got to get right back up and hit back hard to achieve your goals.
How do you feel when the bell rings, and you know that your opponent has his eyes firmly fixed on you and is looking to do you “some” harm?
The first feeling is fear, but this quickly changes to adrenaline and inner strength, this pushes the idea of winning into your mind. You see your opponent staring at you from his corner, but you stare right back at him, and you know how to get points and win. You think to yourself, he’s not taking this from me, this one is mine. Looks are powerful. When we’re in there, nobody wants to lose. My opponent has one goal, he’s there to tear my head off and win. We all know it’s a heavy-hitting sport, but it’s either him or me. There are two fighters, and only one can come out on top. You have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to win.
Your discipline is an aggressive sport. Are you able to control this aggression and adjust it to your everyday life?
I think everybody has this animal instinct. Many people protect themselves from courage and stress and seem unhappy. We were born from animals, we have the ability to think, but we’re animals and what we have to do is draw that energy out. There are lots of people that keep it all in, they don’t shout or scream, and this does nothing for your body. I feel that training, going to fight and competing makes me feel healthy, free and fulfilled. I don’t fight in the street even though I have been verbally abused, pushed, etc. I just turn around and walk away. This sport makes you a better person spiritually, it has turned my life around. It’s a magical sport.
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