Lanzarote UFC fighter Hecher Sosa: “Fighters fight”

It’s not hard to spot Hecher Sosa at the Spartan Gym in Arrecife, where he’s arrived for a sparring and training session with other fighters, boys and girls.

The 31-year-old fighter moves with cat-like grace and economy of movement, running through combos of kicks, blows and parries with his opponents and occasionally exploding into lightning-fast flurries of action.

Hecher arrived back home to promote the Guanche Warriors tournament in September, and we took the opportunity to chat with Lanzarote’s latest sporting superstar.

Hecher, where are you from?

I grew up in the barrio of Los Alonsos in Arrecife and went to the Mercedes Medina school in Altavista.

How did you get into MMA?

I started out wanting to be a footballer and ended up in the under-20 team at Watford, but it didn’t work out and I got into a fight in a match when I returned to Lanzarote. My cousin, Samuel, who is a rapper and singer under the name Uellboy, told me I should try MMA, so I went along with him, beat him and it all started there. It’s been a long journey, with a lot of help from my trainer Mario Alonso at the AFC Villalba gym in Madrid.

You won your first UFC fight in Las Vegas earlier this year. What was it like there?

The sporting facilities are incredible, but to be honest after being there for a few weeks I didn’t like it. It’s in a desert, and the city’s pretty boring. People asked me why I don’t move there, and I say “Why would I? I live in paradise.”

Do they know anything about the Canary Islands there?

They didn’t, but they do now!

Do you enjoy travelling?

It’s necessary for what I do, and I know I have to take all the opportunities I can. I probably make more money outside the fights now, with sponsorship deals, my clothing line and other projects. I’ve recently worked with Spanish actor Mario Casas on his new film about bare-knuckle fighting. But Lanzarote is home, my daughter and family are here and I’ll always come back.

You have to undertake a strict diet and regime before each fight?

I eat healthily, but I don’t do it for the fights. I do it for myself. I know I’ll want to be doing sports at the age of 50 or 60, so I look after myself. The weight-cutting before a fight is hard. You have to dehydrate to lose liquid before the weigh-in, spending time eating protein and sweating in saunas. After the weigh-in I can put on 12 kilos in a day.

It’s tough, but I feel great on fight day, like a car that’s been emptied of all the old fuel and filled with top-grade petrol.

Do you ever miss a good Canarian meal?

I want a big plate of macarrones every now and again, but I want to beat my next opponent much more.

You seem to have a very healthy mental attitude.

I think about 40% of fighting is physical – the rest is mental. If you believe you can achieve something, you will.

What’s next?

I’ve got a fight pencilled in for the 24th October and another planned in November. I’m ready and looking forward to it. Fighters fight, that’s what we do.

GUANCHE WARRIORS

The first Guanche Warriors Championship took place in the Argana Alta Sports pavilion in Arrecife on the 19th of September in front of a packed house of fight fans.

“The Guanche Warrior” is the nickname of local hero Hecher Sosa, who helped to promote the first event of its kind on the island. Seven professional and four amateur fights took place, including two women’s bouts.

Scott Johnson, from the HAMMA gym in St Helens, was the only British participant at the tournament in Arrecife. We caught up with him before his bout with local fighter Borja Pérez.

How did you start in MMA, Scott?

I began Muay Thai training when I was 9 and moved to MMA at the age of 14.

Is it your first time on Lanzarote?

Yes, it’s nice here. Better weather than Liverpool. I’ve been training with some of my team and the set-up is good here.

Are you ready for your fight?

I had a fight in July so I’m still in good shape and when we were offered the tournament I accepted

Are you worried about fighting an opponent on his home turf?

It doesn’t matter I’ve got 25 friends and supporters along with me, and at the end of the day it’s just me and him in the cage.

Scott’s confidence wasn’t misplaced. He won his fight against Borja Pérez in the first round with a submission ninja choke move. He’ll be fighting again in Manchester later this month.