Christopher Ewert is assured it’s only a matter of time.
Contemplating the time and sacrifice he’s put in, he thinks the universe will reward him. He nonetheless must work onerous, however up to now, he’s reaped what he’s sowed.
“I’ve the starvation to win all the things,” Ewert just lately advised MMA Junkie by means of a Spanish language interpreter. “I come from a third-world nation, and other people don’t notice that I don’t have a backup plan. I come right here for all the things, for achievement, to win. I don’t need to lose. I need to hold transferring ahead and hold profitable.”
Born and raised in Chile, Ewert (7-0) was an athlete. Like many Latin American youngsters, he beloved soccer and dreamed of at some point making it large. When that dream fizzled, so did Ewert’s athletic skills. He gained weight – an excessive amount of weight. A lot weight, actually, that he knew he wanted a life-style change.
Seven years in the past, Ewert stepped into an MMA fitness center to alter his life when it comes to bodily health. What he didn’t know was that it might change his trajectory solely.
A building employee by day, Ewert skilled at evening. Not solely did he rework his physique, the abilities he constructed have been good – actually good. When he realized that he might need knowledgeable future, that’s when he packed up his issues and moved to the US.
“That’s a part of the sacrifice. The final two years, I’ve been placing in that work. … I feel there’s so much I left behind that helped me, my circle of relatives, my very own brothers, who supported me. Once I’m over right here, they supported taking good care of my household, trying over all the things whereas I make my dream occur. My brother, my household, everybody – I’ve the suitable individuals to come back over right here. Typically, you come and also you don’t have the suitable steering.”
Ewert now trains beneath the wing of Bellator and “The Final Fighter 13” alum Javier Torres at Final Kombat Coaching Middle in Mesa, Ariz. A well-connected, well-traveled fighter himself, Torres advised MMA Junkie that he’s lined Ewert as much as cross-train with some large names in latest months.
In keeping with Torres, former UFC champions and title challengers alike have heaped reward onto the undefeated 31-year-old Chilean middleweight.
“All people can name out the satan, however after they even have the satan in entrance of them, all of them get scared,” Torres stated. “… Anthony Smith and totally different guys from everywhere in the world, they arrive and prepare. Anthony Smith stated, ‘Bro, there’s no person within the UFC that may deal with that strain.’ I don’t see it. He’s bought large arms, all that. Alex Pereira, his coach stated, ‘You’re trying on the subsequent 185-pound champion. Holy moly. He’s wonderful – his strain and abilities and motion. His IQ is wonderful.’
“In two minutes, he begins breaking all people down. I’m not going to say names, however he drops each single particular person with a liver shot. It’s a superb combination. You don’t see an excessive amount of liver pictures. You throw two punches, he throws eight. You throw three, he throws 12 – to the liver, head, mixing angles. You see him battle. You see his document. I can inform you high-level guys who are available and meet him say, ‘There may be not one I’ve ever fought or skilled with within the UFC that provide you with that strain.’”
Ewert most just lately competed at Fury FC 100 in January when he defeated fellow rising undefeated prospect Reese Watkins by unanimous choice. The win caught the attention of UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, who tried to onboard Ewert shortly thereafter – however journey points nixed the concept, no less than for now.
“I simply bought the decision however we’ve visa points,” Ewert stated. “So now we’ve to attend till that get fastened. We have been alleged to battle Alonzo Menifield. I’m able to battle tomorrow. One factor about me, is regardless of who it’s or what weight it’s, heavyweight, mild heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, we’re all manufactured from bones. We’ve bought two arms and bones. I’ll battle anyone. I’m not petrified of no person: top-five, top-15, top-20, the champion of the world. I’ll battle anyone.”
Chile isn’t essentially identified for its MMA expertise, although it has had a handful of profitable K1 athletes. Ewert hopes he and his countryman Ignacio Bahamondes can really put Chile on the MMA map with title-clinching victories.
“I simply need to say all of the world and all people that the Chileans, we’ve plenty of coronary heart and plenty of balls,” Ewert stated. “I’m going to be the primary Chilean champion within the UFC and to show to all people that we’ve all the things to have a champion.
“… My title is Christopher Ewert and so they name me ‘El Tanke,’ like a tank. I’m a tank. You possibly can’t cease ‘El Tanke.’”
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