Spaniard Sosa made it to the UFC through the Contender Series, dedicating the victory to his deceased father.
After defeating Brazilian Maxson Lee on Dana White's Contender Series, Echeher Sosa became the first Spaniard to receive a UFC contract, dedicating the victory to his deceased father and sister.
Echeer Sosa is the first Spaniard to be selected for Dana White's Contender Series! It's like the coolest interview in the world of mixed martial arts.
The fighter from Conejero (that's a district) defeated Brazilian Maxson Lee. He came undefeated (9 wins and no losses!), while Echeer had 13 wins and 1 loss. Although Echeer couldn't "finish" the fight early, he dominated all three rounds and won on points (the judges gave him the victory with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 30-26).
In the first round, the Brazilian tried to choke Echeer, but he held on and showed Dana White (the main boss of the UFC) that he is a fighter with character. White immediately offered him a contract. Now Echeer is the second fighter from the Canary Islands to enter the UFC. The first was Juan Espino. Overall, Echeer is the ninth Spaniard in the UFC.
The hardest part was that Echeer's father died on the day of the weigh-in. Imagine what a blow that was! But he decided to go into the cage and dedicate the fight to his father and sister, who died of cancer a year ago. After the victory, he pointed two fingers to the sky – it's for them.
The Brazilian had a longer reach, so Echeer didn't really want to fight on his feet. He tried to take the fight to the ground, where he felt more confident. Although he didn't manage to make the Brazilian submit, Echeer controlled the fight from start to finish.
Echeer is the champion of Fight Club Rush and the Wow. Now he faces new challenges in the UFC.
After the fight, he said that he had prepared many different techniques, but due to the death of his father, he could not sleep and rest properly. "I am broken inside, but this is for them. This is their dream, this is my dream. I am here to fulfill the dream of my father, my mother, my sister and my whole family. Although today I was able to give them joy."
He added that you can't cry in bed, you have to move forward and make dreams come true. "This is the best way. I know that many people have psychological problems, it was not easy for me either. But the gym helps me, focusing on the goal, on making dreams come true."
Echeer is very happy to be the first Spaniard to enter the UFC through Dana White's Contender Series. He wants to represent Spain not only as a fighter, but also as a person with values, honor and word. He wants his five-year-old daughter to be proud of him and take him as an example.
After the fight, Dana White passed a note to Echeer: "Be the fucking reason your last name means something one day." Echeer said that these words are for his father. "He taught me everything, he was always my best friend. Now he is gone, but I know he sees me from heaven and is proud."
Echeer also said that fighters also have feelings, and in bad moments you have to fight your fears. "God is up there, and we must go our own way and do our best."
"Dreams come true for those who fight for them. I have dedicated 10 years to this sport, I have given everything from myself. Many people did not believe in me, but I never listened to them. I believed in myself, and here I am. I will give my blood, sweat and tears to represent Spain in the best way. I will not stop until I become the best and will be here for many years, in the best company in the world."