MMA fighters battle uncertainty
Training continues but COVID-19 has sport down for the count
Just weeks before Canada shut its border and governments across the country announced stay-at-home orders, the sports world was starting to make contingency plans amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
The NBA and NHL were playing to full arenas, while wondering if an option to go ahead without spectators would be viable. Major League Baseball limited access to spring training locker rooms to essential personnel only, and the UFC moved forward with its fight cards while considering changes in locations and the removal of fans.
That uncertainty was felt at all levels of sports.
Looking for his seventh win in as many fights, Anthony (The Genius) Romero was preparing to battle for the Ohio Combat League lightweight (155 lbs.) championship title at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio.
But just days before the multisport expo — which draws close to 200,000 attendees each year — the state of Ohio announced the cancellation of the weekend trade show and limited spectators to the Arnold Classic athletic finals only.
“That was kind of when everything was starting. They were talking about what was going on, and the procedures that were going to happen with events,” recalled Romero. “The whole focus was kind of, be careful who you talk to, don’t shake hands.
“But no one knew what was going on. It was hard to really, really understand.”
In response to the changes, OCL moved its fight card from the Greater Columbus Convention Centre to the smaller Express Live venue in downtown Columbus. On March 7, Romero defeated Jacob Miller by knockout in 58 seconds, remaining undefeated (7-0) and extending a winning streak (15) that began as an amateur fighter.
The Welland native was relieved to be in — and out of — Ohio quickly.
“I was very happy to get out of there with a first-round finish,” said the 23-year-old. “I was very lucky they didn’t cancel my events, because the following weekend was supposed to be the UFC in Ohio and they cancelled it.
“(OCL) found a way to do it without taking the crowd away.”
Just days later, sports leagues around the world shut down.
Instead of looking ahead to the UFC fight card in Saskatoon slated for mid-June, Romero found himself self-isolating with his parents and brother, training alone at home in Welland and teaching fitness classes online.
It was a new reality.
“We’re pretty much making a gym in our backyard. I have my little brother (Simon) — he’s a boxer — so he’s able to hold pads for me, and I do the same for him,” he said. “We go for runs. We still get our training in, the only difference is we’re not training with other people.
“We try to stay positive and continue to live our life happy.”
To keep some level of normalcy, Romero has followed his standard training schedule as much as possible while also creating additional fitness goals alongside 15-year-old Simon, an amateur boxer with Olympic aspirations.
In May, they challenged themselves to run 100 kilometres, going out three or four times a week.
“He likes training with his older brother and he helps me a lot. We don’t just do random things, we do things that we practice in the gym and he has a really good understanding,” said Romero. “(He) motivates me to do things, and I really appreciate all the help he’s done for me.”
In St. Catharines, local MMA fighter Jasmin Jasudavicius has been getting herself through selfisolation by relying on a small group of training partners. By staying in contact with only each other, the group of four were able to get in two practices a day throughout the shutdown.
“It actually hasn’t been too bad. I’ve been making it work,” said Jasudavicius, who did not have a fight scheduled after defeating Christina Ricker by knockout in 52 seconds at the BTC: 8 Eliminator at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls last December.
“The guys that I train with, they’re better than me, so I’m getting beat up a lot lately,” she said. “So it’ll be nice to be able to train with some girls once everything opens back up.”
But planning for an unknown future has been “weird,” and at times a battle.
“It’s a lot harder to keep my weight down,” Jasudavicius admitted. “I notice I’m snacking more, or there’s no fight scheduled so I’ll have a couple of drinks which I normally wouldn’t do. I think that’s the biggest struggle.
But staying motivated hasn’t been an issue. With no other distractions or classes to teach at Niagara Top Team gym, the 31-yearold has been able to use the time to focus on her training.
“We’re able to dial in and focus in on my career only, which is super fortunate for me,” she said. “I feel like my wrestling has kind of gotten a lot better within the last couple of months.
“I blew out my wrestling shoes, so that’s a good sign.”
As for what Romero is training for, that remains unknown.
He has heard murmurs Dana White’s Contender Series — in which hopefuls have a chance to impress the UFC president for a chance to earn a UFC contract — may be a go this summer.
If a fighter is unable to make weight, the UFC picks a replacement fighter from a local promotion; Romero is hopeful his fight results will yield a last-minute phone call.
In the meantime, he has enjoyed spending time with his family and doesn’t miss the daily hour drive to Oakville for training. But the uncertainty has been difficult to tolerate.
“I think the most challenging part is not knowing what’s next. Not knowing if I’m going to be able to fight,” said Romero. “I’m staying in shape and my weight is good.
“Everything is working out. It’s just getting that date when I’m (going) to be able to fight.”
“The guys that I train with, they’re better than me, so I’m getting beat up a lot lately.” JASMIN JASUDAVICIUS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTER