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At the last training camp, Reyes was joined by UFC champion Sean O’malley – credit @javier_blair_mmafigther/Instagram
Mixed martial arts are gaining popularity in Colombia, mainly due to the arrival of Colombian fighters to international companies of great scope such as LFA or ONE Championship, among which stands out Javier “Blair” Reyes, a 30-year-old from Bogotá who is close to reaching the UFC, the largest company of this discipline in the world.
After his fight at LFA 190, in which he lost to Brazilian Lerryan Douglas by knockout, the Bogota native is already thinking about his next match, which will take place on October 4 at the City Hall in Bogota, where he will face Ecuadorian Álvaro Vacacela for the FFC featherweight championship.
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In conversation with Infobae Colombia, Reyes spoke about the fight with the Ecuadorian, the details that prevented him from becoming a champion in LFA and his projection of becoming the first 100% Colombian to reach the UFC, recalling that in the North American company Colombians born abroad have fought.
The Colombian will fight again on October 4 in Bogotá – credit @javier_blair_mmafigther/Instagram
First, Reyes spoke about his match against Douglas and said that his experience in the sport has taught him to face defeat with maturity.
“This was really the only step, they had already talked about it and it was my last step, but well, this time I fell on the last one, but I had exposure, people realized that when I fight I move Colombia, I really try to move it, that’s good and we showed that in this fight it was a tough defeat, I had not felt defeated for more than four years, but I see it as a step back, but one that the UFC is more than fixed on.”
He also mentioned that the knockout he received at LFA 190 has helped him have extra motivation for his next fight, in which he hopes to retain the FFC lightweight championship.
“The idea was to win. I like to finish. I get paid to finish off the person in front of me and that’s what we wanted, but it didn’t work out. I feel comfortable now because I’m going to fight in Colombia. I’m going to be fine. My family and my close people are going to be there. I’m focused. I’m coming with the feeling of defeat and when I train I remember that I lost because I lowered my hand. I hit harder and I try harder. It’s been a plus. I’m going stronger.”
With a record of 18 wins and 4 losses, Reyes indicated that he feels ready to take a step forward in his career and is confident that with a victory on October 4, he will be able to be hired by the UFC in 2025.
“Next year, in 2025, I am 100% sure that I will enter the UFC, I have to win this one and I am confident that I will win; despite the defeat, I felt good, I made a mistake, but I feel confident, I was not superior and that makes me feel good. There is pressure and I know that losing would be taking about five steps back,” said Javier Reyes.
The Colombian lost by knockout at LFA 190 – credit @javier_blair_mmafigther/Instagram
Because Colombia has few representatives in the industry, Reyes said he is proud of his work and that of colleagues such as Johan Estupiñán, who earned a $50,000 bonus after winning his last fight in ONE Championship.
“I feel proud, I feel happy, in Colombia many people take me as a role model, I am from Bogotá, I train in parks and I am going to make it to the UFC, before they thought that to get there you had to go to the United States, have a team there. I show that it is not like that, that it is possible with hard work and many are following in my footsteps. That is good, it leaves the doors open. I am very happy for Johan who is breaking it in ONE, that more people are opening doors, that shows that we are at a level, we are so few, that is a plus, it is like when Conor McGregor started, that he moved Ireland.”
Regarding the rise in popularity of martial arts in the country, Javier Reyes criticized the lack of support they have, but also stressed that in a certain way it is the responsibility of some exponents.
“The thing is that many people don’t want to take the risk of going out, of making the investment. The Colombian currency is low and a camp is a lot of money and some people don’t want to invest it, because in the end it’s good. The visa issue is difficult, you get an appointment in two years, many people get stuck, they are big fish, but in small fish tanks… Here in Colombia there is only football, in the news it is only football. There is not much support from mayors, sponsorship is difficult to get in Colombia,” said the fighter.
The Colombian has a record of 18 wins and 4 losses – credit @javier_blair_mmafigther/Instagram
Regarding the next step to ensure that mixed martial arts receive greater support from the state, Reyes said he hopes that the arrival of a Colombian to the UFC will allow for greater recognition of the fighters’ work.
“I think that for someone to succeed, they have to get to the UFC and see that there is someone at the top of the best in the world. We have to find a way, they have to help us, that part is important, calling people. When we achieve it, we can ask the government to help us, a sports visa, something like that.”
Finally, the Bogota native spoke about UFC Night, which will take place on the night of September 14, recalling that in his last training camp he was accompanied by the bantamweight champion of this company, Sean O’Malley.
“I’m going for Diego Lopez, because he comes from brands I’ve been with, it’s cool to see that he’s in the big leagues, I’m going for Valentina Shevchenko and Sean O’Malley,” Reyes responded about his favorites for the next UFC event.
What are Javier “Blair” Reyes’ plans for his UFC debut after his upcoming fight?
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Colombian MMA Fighter Javier “Blair” Reyes Eyes UFC Debut after Upcoming Fight
Mixed martial arts are gaining popularity in Colombia, thanks in part to the success of Colombian fighters in international organizations such as LFA and ONE Championship. One of the most promising Colombian fighters is Javier “Blair” Reyes, a 30-year-old from Bogotá who is on the cusp of making it to the UFC, the largest and most prestigious MMA organization in the world.
Reyes recently fought at LFA 190, where he lost to Brazilian Lerryan Douglas by knockout. However, the setback has not deterred him from his goal of becoming the first 100% Colombian to reach the UFC. In fact, he is already looking forward to his next fight, which will take place on October 4 at the City Hall in Bogotá, where he will face Ecuadorian Álvaro Vacacela for the FFC featherweight championship.
Lessons Learned from Defeat
In an interview with Infobae Colombia, Reyes spoke about the lessons he learned from his defeat at LFA 190. “This was really the only step, they had already talked about it and it was my last step, but well, this time I fell on the last one, but I had exposure, people realized that when I fight I move Colombia, I really try to move it, that’s good and we showed that in this fight it was a tough defeat, I had not felt defeated for more than four years, but I see it as a step back, but one that the UFC is more than fixed on.”
Reyes also mentioned that the knockout he received has given him extra motivation for his next fight. “I feel comfortable now because I’m going to fight in Colombia. I’m going to be fine. My family and my close people are going to be there. I’m focused. I’m coming with the feeling of defeat and when I train I remember that I lost because I lowered my hand. I hit harder and I try harder. It’s been a plus. I’m going stronger.”
UFC Debut on the Horizon
With a record of 18 wins and 4 losses, Reyes is confident that he is ready to take a step forward in his career and make his UFC debut in 2025. “Next year, in 2025, I am 100% sure that I will enter the UFC, I have to win this one and I am confident that I will win; despite the defeat, I felt good, I made a mistake, but I feel confident, I was not superior and that makes me feel good. There is pressure and I know that losing would be taking about five steps back.”
Proud to Represent Colombia
Reyes is proud to be one of the few Colombian representatives in the MMA industry, and he is proud of the work of colleagues such as Johan Estupiñán, who earned a $50,000 bonus after winning his last fight in ONE Championship. “I feel proud, I feel happy
– What are Javier “Blair” Reyes’ plans for his upcoming fight after his recent loss?
Colombian Mixed Martial Artist Javier “Blair” Reyes Sets Sights on UFC Debut After Recent Setback
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is rapidly gaining popularity in Colombia, thanks in part to the efforts of fighters like Javier “Blair” Reyes, a 30-year-old from Bogotá who is on the cusp of becoming the first 100% Colombian to join the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the largest MMA organization in the world. Reyes, who recently suffered a knockout loss to Brazilian Lerryan Douglas at LFA 190, is already gearing up for his next bout on October 4 against Ecuadorian Álvaro Vacacela for the FFC featherweight championship.
Despite the setback, Reyes remains confident and motivated, citing the experience as a valuable lesson in maturity and perseverance. “This was really the only step, they had already talked about it and it was my last step, but well, this time I fell on the last one, but I had exposure, people realized that when I fight I move Colombia, I really try to move it, that’s good and we showed that in this fight it was a tough defeat,” Reyes said in an interview with Infobae Colombia.
Reyes, who boasts an impressive record of 18 wins and 4 losses, believes that the loss has given him extra motivation for his upcoming fight, in which he hopes to retain the FFC lightweight championship. “The idea was to win. I like to finish. I get paid to finish off the person in front of me and that’s what we wanted, but it didn’t work out. I feel comfortable now because I’m going to fight in Colombia. I’m going to be fine. My family and my close people are going to be there. I’m focused. I’m coming with the feeling of defeat and when I train I remember that I lost because I lowered my hand. I hit harder and I try harder. It’s been a plus. I’m going stronger.”
Reyes’ determination and confidence are not unfounded, as he has already caught the attention of UFC champion Sean O’Malley, who joined him at a recent training camp. The Colombian’s performance at LFA 190, despite the loss, has also put him firmly on the radar of MMA fans and promoters alike.
As Colombia’s MMA scene continues to grow, Reyes is proud to be at the forefront of the movement, inspiring a new generation of Colombian fighters. “I feel proud, I feel happy, in Colombia many people take me as a role model, I am from Bogotá, I train in parks and I am going to make it to the UFC, before they thought that to get there you had to go to the United States, have a team there. I show that it is not like that, that it is possible with hard work and many are following in my footsteps. That is good, it leaves the doors open,” Reyes said.
With a win on October 4, Reyes is confident that he will be able to secure a contract with the UFC in 2025, becoming the first 100% Colombian to do so. For now, he remains focused on his upcoming bout, knowing that a victory will bring him one step closer to realizing his dream.
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