Roberto Romero would possibly’ve taken a loss Saturday at UFC 309, however many had been nonetheless impressed with what they noticed from the newcomer.
Romero debuted for the UFC towards veteran David Onama on the preliminary card of UFC 309 in Madison Sq. Backyard. It was a battle he took the Tuesday earlier than the occasion with mainly no preparation, as he changed Lucas Almeida.
Little probability was given to Romero (8-4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) as Onama entered as a -1000 betting favourite. But, regardless of the percentages, the Mexican fighter put it on Onama and almost completed him within the first spherical.
“Imagine me, that’s one thing I’ve analyzed so much,” Romero advised MMA Junkie in Spanish when requested about his resolution take the again quite than end a rocked Onama. “In reality, yesterday was the primary day I used to be in a position to sleep because the battle as a result of it ended on Saturday and all of the adrenaline and mixture of feelings simply stored me pondering and going over issues in my head. I gave it loads of thought, and yeah, f*ck, if I might’ve stored hitting him, simply taken a step again and stored hitting him. However the ‘what if’ doesn’t exist. …
“On the finish of the day it is a studying expertise, and yeah, analyzing it, possibly if I might’ve stored hitting him, possibly I might’ve picked up the end. However yeah, you be taught and maintain transferring ahead.”
After a sizzling first begin the place he virtually completed Onama, the veteran survived and went on to win the remainder of the battle, however with stiff resistance from Romero.
Romero admits the defeat stung, and he was dissatisfied he couldn’t get his hand raised within the octagon. However after getting embraced by the fan base and his household, Romero can say he’s pleased with what he was in a position to show that night time in New York Metropolis.
“Truthfully, I’m very joyful,” Romero mentioned. “I did go in there to win. I didn’t go in there with a mediocre mentality like, ‘Oh, let’s simply see what occurs.’ No, I went to win. I studied him as a lot as I might within the few days I had, and I attempted to benefit from this chance. I used to be 100% targeted, and I gave it my all in that cage. I went there to win, however sadly it didn’t occur. There’s simply a lot you may management and isn’t like Onama is a stroll within the park. He’s a lion, who was coming in there to win as nicely. We each left all of it in there.
“I admit I used to be somewhat unhappy and dissatisfied din myself as a result of I’m a little bit of a perfectionist, however after listening to mu coaches and seeing folks’s messages, and from my household and spouse, all of them lifted me and I really feel very grateful. It’s not the outcome I needed, however I don’t assume my efficiency was too unhealthy.”
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