LARAMIE EYES UFC OCTAGON
‘I know I’m ready for that level’
For standout Windsor mixed martial artist Tony Laramie, there’s no question about his future at the highest level of the sport — such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
“I don’t think. I know. I’m ready for that level,” said Laramie, 21. “It’s just a matter of time.”
The dynamic flyweight fighter is still savouring his victory from last weekend, when he took the 125-pound title at Prospect Fighting Championships 13 in Toronto.
Matched up with veteran New Jersey-based fighter Claudio Ledesma (15-9), Laramie dominated five rounds of action to earn a unanimous judges’ decision.
“I learned so much about myself and what I’m capable of,” said Laramie, who improved his pro record to 5-2.
Most of the bout occurred on the feet — which suited Laramie, who considers striking the strongest part of his game. Laramie felt (and the judges agreed) he landed the better, harder punches and kicks throughout the fight.
“A lot of counters,” Laramie said. “I was slipping shots and then hitting him.”
Despite being at a reach and height disadvantage against most of his opponents, Laramie is confident in his speed, power, and ability to get to the inside range that makes the difference in most exchanges.
“I’m always working on my head movement and my footwork,”
Laramie said. “That’s how guys like me have to get in — especially in MMA, where there aren’t big gloves for blocking.”
While Laramie is happy to have a title belt around his waist, he’s more proud of who he beat: Claudio Ledesma’s record includes a victory over bantamweight Brian Kelleher, who has seven UFC fights to his credit.
For Laramie, it’s further confirmation he can hang with Ufc-calibre opponents.
“(Ledesma) has four times the amount of fights that I do,” Laramie said. “But I’ve been training for 10 years, ever since I was a kid … Experience counts, but I have my own experience.”
Current UFC flyweight contenders Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez, and ONE Championship titleholder Demetrious Johnson — who is considered by some one of the pound-for-pound greatest MMA fighters in the history of the sport — all feel like viable match ups to Laramie.
“I want to fight people who think they’re the best,” Laramie said. “(Johnson) is the true champ at 125. I’m here to prove I’m next.”
And when the call comes for that next level of competition, Laramie doesn’t worry he’ll have much to change about his training.
He believes his abilities are continuing to improve at Windsor’s Maximum Training Centre (MTC) — where the roster of pro fighters includes Laramie’s older brother, T.J., Kyle Prepolec, Eric Montgomery, Shane Monaghan, and other rising talent.
“When it comes to fight time, you’ve got to do what’s most comfortable for you,” Laramie said.
But there’s one aspect of his lifestyle that Laramie is looking forward to someday changing: Leaving his job at a local call centre.
“Fight camp is a pretty miserable time,” he said. “Wake up at 6 a.m. every day, hit a training session before work. Work all day, come home, and then straight to the gym to train again. By the time I’m done, I’m getting ready for the next day.”
“It’s going to pay off in the long run.”