Daniel Frunza sat backstage as he waited for his title to be referred to as by somebody from the UFC public relations group.
It will quickly be his flip to talk with the media in attendance on the UFC Apex. Moments prior, Frunza (9-2) had earned a contract from promotion CEO Dana White for a powerful Contender Sequence end by TKO over Vadym Kutsyi (17-2).
That’s when it hit him: His dream, or not less than the primary large one, was achieved.
“Even when Dana gave the contract, I used to be like, ‘Eh.’ It was like in a dream state,” Frunza just lately informed MMA Junkie. “However after I was within the again ready for the interview, ready for the media, I used to be like, ‘Oh my goodness. What the hell did I simply do?’ That’s what sort of got here to me, the belief. But it surely felt good as a result of that’s what I used to be working for. That’s what I used to be there for. I knew what I used to be there for. I do know what I’m preventing for.”
A few of his motivations, Frunza is retaining near his chest. In due time, he plans to inform his story and what makes him tick to the fullest extent. However for now, Frunza hopes to function an inspiration for the subsequent era of Romanian fighters.
One 12 months in the past, Diana Belbita and Nicolae Negumereanu have been the nation’s two lone representatives. Frunza, Bogdan Grad, and Alice Ardelean have since greater than doubled that quantity.
“We’re going to prepared the ground,” Frunza stated. “That’s what I would like, to be trustworthy. I’ll attempt to make it to the very best heights of the game and be an inspiration for the brand new era, for the younger guys and present that it’s attainable, and as a Romanian fighter, you possibly can dream. Should you work laborious and also you’re actually devoted, you may make it. What I would like on a private degree is to prepared the ground and be an inspiration to the youthful guys.”
VICIOUS floor and pound from Daniel Frunza 👀
Was that end sufficient to earn him a UFC contract? #DWCS pic.twitter.com/yP6suDHVNR
— UFC (@ufc) September 25, 2024
Frunza, 30, was born in Romania, the place he lived till age 14 when he moved along with his mom to Italy. At 19, he picked up fight sports activities. His predominant motivation was dwelling out the American dream, and he noticed MMA as probably the most America-centric fight sport. Finally, Frunza discovered his option to Miami, the place he at the moment lives and trains.
Whereas he has but to obtain his first UFC project, each time that stroll comes, viewers ought to count on to see a blue, yellow, and crimson flag draped over Frunza’s shoulders.
“I need to say to the UFC: Line them up. Simply get them prepared for me,” Frunza stated. “That’s all I can say. That’s the one message that I’m going to provide. Simply line them up. I can’t wait to step again into that cage, this time in an official UFC occasion, and hopefully I’d actually battle with a crowd and entertain the folks.”
Make sure to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
