Many fighters have a role in developing the way UFC is portrayed in their respective countries: Conor McGregor for Ireland, Alexander Gustafsson for Sweden, and Jose Aldo and Fabricio Werdum for Brazil. But for Mehdi Baghdad, the opportunity to represent French and Arab communities on the world stage is a lifelong dream that he’s about to accomplish ahead of his first UFC fight in Boston on Monday morning.
Born in France, he grew up in Algeria and proudly represents the Arab population in and out of the octagon. A former RFA lightweight champion with a 9-3 professional record, Baghdad joins the UFC having previously appeared on The Ultimate Fighter where he lost out in the second round against Julian Erosa.
A lot has happened since that defeat in October and on Monday, he will step into the balmy TD Garden arena in Boston and fight in-form Chris Wade who is bidding to extend his winning streak to five fights.
It will be a seminal moment for Baghdad who, away from the octagon, wants to improve the popularity of MMA in the Middle East and was recently involved in the second season of the Arab MMA reality show Al Batal where he coached a team of young Arab fighters. It was a chance to help the interest of the sport and train budding fighters who have dreams of achieving a place in the UFC.
“I hope one day it gets bigger because I want to represent MMA in all Arab countries. This is my goal. I know I have a lot of fans, and hopefully one day the sport gets better. I like my originality and I’m really happy to fight for Arab fighters,” he told Sport360.
“I want UFC fans to see me, to hear my name, and say ‘wow, who is this guy? Who is Baghdad?’ I want all Arab and French fighters to know my name, to be happy, and to be like the way Conor McGregor is seen. I want everyone asking about all Arab countries and its fighting.”
UFC superstars McGregor is someone Baghdad knows well, having struck a friendship with the Irishman under his tutelage in TUF22. Baghdad claimed seven victories in the lead up to the fight against Wade, even though he succumbed to Erosa during his run in the UFC’s reality TV series. But sometimes setbacks happen for a reason, and Baghdad is grateful to have been able to learn from the current featherweight champion.
“I learnt the energy from Conor. He gave me a lot of energy to fight and to be happy to fight. When he came in to talk to us, he gave me this confidence in the cage. I have my own technique but he gave me this confidence and energy that has helped me a lot since,” explained Baghdad.
“I enjoy watching him fight. The way he talks is the way he fights. I listen to him a lot, and when I’m in the cage, I feel the confidence he has.”
Initially, Mairbek Taisumov was scheduled to take on Wade but visa issues forced his removal from the card, meaning Baghdad would fight against the American with just a week’s notice to prepare.
The lack of time didn’t affect him, however, as he was busy sparring with Anderson Silva – a former UFC Middleweight Champion back in action next month in London – whom Baghdad was delighted to be learning from.
“I feel great and I’m ready for this. I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity so I can’t wait to get out there. They only called me last week but I was training with Anderson so it was good practice.”
“Anderson’s great. He makes me feel better in the cage. I get so much experience from training with a champion like him. I feel more confident because he’s an eight year champion and he doesn’t punch you like he’s your friend. He goes for you, and tries to kill you. I feel great around him.”
His opponent Wade has a burgeoning reputation as a striker – with ten wins from eleven in mixed martial arts – so how can Baghdad curtail the American’s influence when the pressure is on?
Last training for the @mehdi_baghdad.
Looks very good.
@pedromunhozmma @blackhousemma @silva_mtc @boosterfightgear … pic.twitter.com/uYoZGpmd36
— Instagram of Boston (@Igofboston) January 15, 2016“I’m not going to wait to defend. I’m just going to be the first to attack. I want to be the more powerful. I’m not going to think about defending. I’m going to attack, attack and to try to go for the kill.”
The intense training and preparation for the fight comes at a cost, and a 5kg cut to make the 155lb weight category has meant discipline to his diet. Still, he believes he is training hard and his sharpness should take him to the next level in the UFC when he steps out for his first bout.
“My weight was really high so I’m trying to lose a lot of weight. My coach said you’re hungry. I say ‘I’m hungry to fight; I’m not hungry to eat’. This is my dream, this is my goal. I want to win.”
