Issue 103

July 2013

Ricardo Lamas may be more underdog than top dog, but the Chicago native has got both barrels locked and loaded on ‘The Korean Zombie’ and, with victory, a shot at the UFC title.

When the odds are stacked against you and you’re not only outnumbered but outgunned, life can prove to be quite a lonely existence. If you stand alone when the proverbial hits the fan, human nature kicks in, and that flight or fight mechanism, deep rooted in all of us, subconsciously takes over. 

That ability, to push all emotions aside, embrace intense focus and rely on preparation in adversity is what separates winners from losers. 

It’s a scary, and in some cases traumatizing, prospect, having to take down another being to ensure survival. Yet, in a do-or-die world, would you accept having everything taken away from you, or would you prefer to reign supreme among the living?

Fans of hit AMC TV show The Walking Dead may feel like this is a description of heroic lead character Rick Grimes, an underdog in every sense of the word. However, who we’re really talking about here is perennial underdog turned UFC featherweight contender Ricardo Lamas, who in his next outing at UFC 162 faces off against his own relentless, and relatively unstoppable, ‘Korean Zombie’ in fan-favorite Chang Sung Jung.

But then, just like Grimes, facing up to overwhelming adversity is what Lamas does best. And he tells Fighters Only all about his passage from college standout wrestling star to the most unlikely potential UFC title challenger in years.

January 26th, 2013, was supposed to be Erik Koch’s night. The 24-year-old Duke Roufus protégé was going to produce a spectacular knockout at the expense of Ricardo Lamas. He would finally receive his world title shot against José Aldo, which had twice been rescheduled due to injury.

Perhaps a right hook would do it like the one he landed against Raphael Assuncao, or a spinning kick off the cage like training partner Anthony Pettis landed on Benson Henderson at WEC 53. Yeah, that would impress UFC brass, especially on Fox.

Lamas seemed like a safe enough opponent. Koch was the more dynamic striker, had proven submission skills and could keep the bout from hitting the mat. Sure, Lamas brought a tough wrestling game, but nothing Koch couldn’t handle. This one was in the bag, or so he likely believed.

Like so many other fights throughout his career, Lamas headed into the UFC on Fox 6 fight in January as the decided underdog. After all, the only person to defeat the Roufusport product was top contender Chad Mendes at WEC 47. Pundits and fans alike agreed Koch would likely walk away the victor.

Within a round, however, Koch knew he was in for a tough night. And five minutes later, he was finished. Lamas left Koch in a battered mess on the canvas, bloodied from the relentless punches and elbows he rained down. It was a career-defining moment for Lamas, and best of all it all took place in his hometown at the United Center. For a Chicago native it was the ultimate victory. 

Playing the spoiler is nothing new to Lamas, who bases his training camps in Miami, Florida, with MMA Masters and Team Top Notch. It’s a role the 30-year-old has commonly played during his career, and one he is comfortable with. Perhaps it’s because of his style or reserved personality, but Lamas – a former All-American college wrestler – has been consistently overlooked throughout his career. Even in fights where he’s seemingly overmatched, like the Koch encounter last time out, he finds a way to have his hand raised in victory. Lamas credits his stubborn personality and tough upbringing for his relentlessness inside the cage. The youngest of six boys, he was constantly the brunt of punishment from his brothers. 

“It comes from my background, too, of being Mexican and Cuban. We’re a very stubborn people, both Mexicans and Cubans. Having the combination of both is very dangerous,” he laughs.

It’s that stubbornness that might be his most defining feature as a competitor. He simply finds a way to win. In college, Lamas was undersized but won the NCAA Division III national championship at 157lb for Elmhurst College in his hometown, racking up over 100 wins in his four years at the school. No matter how overmatched, Lamas brought the fight to every bout – a theme that’s continued into his pro-MMA career. 

“In my first MMA fight, I was fighting kind of a hometown hero in Northlake, Illinois, and nobody picked me to win. I’m used to that role. When I first came on the scene in the WEC, I fought Bart Palaszewski on four days’ notice and everybody counted me out again. Being the underdog, or not being the underdog for that matter, it makes no difference. I go into every fight the same way.”

It was the same situation last year when Lamas took on submission sensation and consensus world number-two featherweight at the 

time, Hatsu Hioki. Despite a strong stylistic matchup, few picked Lamas to emerge victorious. 

Yet once again he used his wrestling to keep Hioki at bay, changing levels frequently and punishing him both on the feet and from top control. It was a performance few believed he was capable of, and it opened many eyes to his talent and his genuine championship potential. 

“I think it’s because I’m not that well known, like some of the other fighters in the UFC,” Lamas argues when asked about his lack of recognition, especially in the official UFC rankings. “I haven’t been promoted that much by the organization, but that’s starting to change now. I’m starting to get more recognition and I think it’s all going to turn around from here.” 

When Lamas enters the cage on July 6th at UFC 162 against The Korean Zombie, Chan Sung Jung, things will be a little different. For a start, he will no longer come in as the decided underdog. Instead, odds makers actually have Lamas as slight favorite because of the stylistic matchup and Jung’s lengthy period away from the cage. It’s a new experience for Lamas, to enter the Octagon with expectations surrounding him to get the ‘W’. 

And while there seems to be an increasing number of fans keen to jump on the Lamas bandwagon before it’s too late, naturally, he still also has his detractors. Plus, it doesn’t help that Jung is one of the most beloved and iconic figures on the UFC roster. Thanks to his creative zombie-influenced apparel, which has become a phenomenon in its own right, and his ‘never say die’ fighting style, there’s no doubt that Jung has captured the imagination of fight fans worldwide. 

Lamas says: “I actually read an article where they were stating that I am the slight betting favorite, but the guy writing the article was still maintaining he was going to bet on The Korean Zombie instead of me. I may be the slight favorite on the betting books, but I think among the fans I’ll come in as the underdog.” 

Perhaps Lamas is destined to be an underappreciated fighter. He doesn’t bring any techniques to the cage we haven’t seen before, and is not likely to become an outspoken personality like a certain recent double UFC title contender. Lamas accepts he will never talk his way into a world championship fight. 

Instead, he’s utilized the more traditional ‘nose to the grindstone’ ideal throughout his career. The mentality is if he works harder than you, he will beat you. It’s a simple thought process, and his 13-2 record proves that, for him at least, it’s one that works. In his world, hard work is the key to success: nothing more, nothing less. 

“My heart alone is something that can pose a difficulty to anybody,” explains Lamas. “I don’t get discouraged in fights. I don’t stop. If you want to beat me, you have to take me out. There’s no surrender in me. I will keep fighting until the sound of the last bell.” And with one Korean Zombie heading to UFC 162 with a similar single-minded approach, this featherweight eliminator is surely the evening’s leading contender for the ‘Fight of the Night’ check.

Just like his beloved bullies, quiet and gentle Lamas packs a serious bite

Social media and its various platforms have changed the way fans interact with fighters forever. A simple click or ‘follow’ and you can watch your favorite sports figures’ lives play out through Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

If you follow Chicago native and UFC featherweight contender Ricardo Lamas on social media you’ll quickly notice most of the images he posts are of his two bull terriers, Chico and Bane.

“They’re so peculiar looking. I guess they have a very original look and it kind of drew me to them,” explains Lamas. “I was obsessed for years and always wanted to get one. My last few years of college I was constantly online, looking at breeders and puppies, and reading about the breed and everything. When I graduated I kind of bought myself a graduation gift and bought my first dog, which I named Chico.”

Named after the dog in the movie Next Friday, which he credits with introducing him to the breed, his newest puppy, Bane, has a movie character influence too, named after the villain in The Dark Knight Rises.

“They have very funny personalities,” laughs Lamas. “They constantly make me laugh with the looks they give and the way they romp around. On the other hand, they’re also considered the gladiators of the dog world. 

“They have the most pound-for-pound muscle mass compared to any other breed. It’s kind of what drew me to them, that combination. They have so much power and muscle yet they’re so gentle and loyal and always want to be around you. I kind of feel that me and bull terriers sort of have the same personalities.”

Rather like the bullies he adores, anyone who doesn’t know the animal is unlikely to see the funny, gentle side of Lamas when he steps inside the Octagon. Even his post-fight interviews are often straightforward and relatively emotionless. He saves that for his dogs. 

Timeline: Ricardo Lamas

21st May 1982: Ricardo Alejandro Lamas is born in Chicago, Illinois, to a Cuban father and Mexican mother.

1994: Lamas begins watching MMA for the first time with UFC 3 and UFC 4. According to Lamas, he would tell his friends that this would be his job one day.

2001: Joins the wrestling team at Elmhurst College, where he studies for a degree in exercise science.

2003–04: Lamas is named as CCIW’s ‘Most Outstanding Wrestler’ at the end of the 2003–04 season due to accomplishments on the mat.

2005: Graduates from Elmhurst College as an All-American at 157lb. He also finishes his wrestling career with an incredible 112-45 record, becoming Elmhurt’s all-time leader in wins. Lamas becomes an assistant wrestling coach for Elmhurst after he graduates.

25th January 2008: Lamas begins his MMA career in his home state of Illinois at FCE: Collision. He defeats Jake Corry via guillotine choke in the first round.

2008: Adds another four wins to his record during the calendar year with all of them taking place in Illinois or Colorado. Ends his first year in MMA with an impressive 5-0 record. 

1st March 2009: Replaces Richard Crunkilton on four days’ notice so he can face off against MMA journeyman Bart Palaszewski at WEC 39. Even though he’s a heavy underdog, he wins a convincing unanimous decision against the veteran.

9th August 2009: His undefeated record is tarnished when he loses his first-ever fight against Team Alpha Male stand-out Danny Castillo via TKO in the second round.

18th November 2009: Bounces back from his first defeat with a unanimous decision victory against James Krause, using his superior wrestling to defeat the striker.

2010: Begins 2010 by knocking out Bendy Casimir and winning a decision over eventual Bellator lightweight tournament winner, Dave Jansen. However, his perfect run is finished at the last ever WEC when he’s knocked out by Yuri Alcantara.

2011: Lamas drops down to 145lb after the UFC-WEC merger. First he defeats UFC veteran Matt Grice at UFC Live: Kongo vs Barry and then chokes out WEC featherweight Cub Swanson at UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs Dos Santos.

2012: Was expected to face fellow fast-rising featherweight Dustin Poirier at UFC 143, but is injured during the lead-up to the fight.

22nd June 2012: Defeats well-respected Japanese featherweight Hatsu Hioki via unanimous decision. Three weeks before the bout, Lamas suffered a broken rib, which according to him was so painful he couldn’t even do a sit-up until the day of the fight.

26th January 2013: In a battle between two local rivals, Lamas defeated former UFC featherweight number-one contender Erik Koch in the second round due to vicious ground ’n’ pound.