Luke Fernandez looks to create 'poetry in motion' at CFFC 138 in long-awaited first title defense
Reigning light heavyweight champ puts title on the line against Gregg Ellis on Friday, December 13 in Atlantic City.
After a near one-year layoff, Luke Fernandez will finally make the walk once again under the bright lights of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, where he looks to defend his CFFC light heavyweight championship for the very first time in the main event of CFFC 138. The event streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS on Friday, December 13.
Following his title-winning victory this past December, Fernandez had two separate scheduled title defenses against Will Dicke. However, due to injuries sustained by both fighters, Fernandez has not competed since that electric championship win.
Despite the time away, the undefeated Fernandez made a point to remain in the gym and stay in fight shape in preparation for his inevitable return and even picked up a submission grappling victory against UFC veteran Eryk Anders at May's FURY Professional Grappling 10.
Now as he readies to finally put his title on the line, Fernandez believes that he and his team at Dante Rivera BJJ did a tremendous job in keeping him ready for his return and are eager to finally get out in front of the fans and create another electric moment inside the cage.
"It was the hand I was dealt," Fernandez said. "I was still in the gym. I was still training. I had teammates getting ready for fights, so I had to help get them prepared. I was still sparring and doing all my normal stuff.”
"I had to get the meniscus in my knee addressed, and that all together was only a couple weeks out of the gym. Once I got the green light to come back, I just returned with the same goal in mind and the same hunger to continue to improve. I know my shot's coming, so I'm just going to keep pressing down until I get my chance and make sure I make the most of it."
The next opportunity comes in the form of his first title defense in the CFFC 138 headliner, where former CFFC middleweight champion Gregg Ellis (8-5 MMA, 1-1 CFFC) will move up a weight class to provide Fernandez (3-0 MMA, 3-0 CFFC) his toughest test to date and try to become a two-weight world champion.
As much as the matchup, itself, excites Fernandez, he is also eager to yet again fight in his backyard with two of his teammates in Eric Nolan and Nick Galanti. Fernandez feels that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will be buzzing with excitement upon the returns of the New Jersey natives and looks forward to earning the "oohs and aahs" from the Atlantic City crowd once more.
"Whenever we're on a card together, the energy in the gym just skyrockets," Fernandez said. "We talk day in and day out about preparation, so it's very exciting.
"AC is in my backyard. It's literally 30 minutes from my house. We bring the energy down there. We bring a crowd. Headlining this card just makes it all more exciting for me. I'm ready to get in there and do what I do."
With his one-year absence behind him, Fernandez will finally attempt to defend his throne against Ellis, whose last appearance in the cage saw him in a matchup against UFC veteran and two-time CFFC middleweight champion Kyle Daukas, where he lost his title by decision.
Similarly to Fernandez, Ellis will also have to shake off the cobwebs a bit, as his last fight occurred at CFFC 124 in September 2023. Fernandez knows that defeating Ellis will not come easy, as he recognizes the former CFFC titleholder as a game fighter who is always ready to bring the action and excitement.
"I've watched his fights, and I think he is a very well-rounded athlete," Fernandez said. "All his fights show us that his abilities are up there with the best of them. He can be on the same pedestal with anyone else getting their shots."
Fernandez's sole focus is to achieve victory in spectacular fashion and bring himself one step closer to an opportunity in one of the premier promotions in the world. While Fernandez has always been willing to take on all comers, there's only one thing he truly wants, and that's an opportunity to fight in the UFC.
"I'm going to enter this fight like I'm fighting the best in the world," Fernandez said. "That's always how I prepare for my fights. I'm going to make sure to leave the fans with no doubt that I am the champ and that it is a tough task to fight me. When I'm in the cage, that's when I flow, and that's when I'm my true self."
Eager to make his long-awaited return to the cage may be a bit of a bittersweet experience for CFFC fans, as with each victory, Fernandez draws more and more eyes on him, and it may not be long before he gets the call for his octagon debut.
Fernandez will take things one step at a time, though, as to even consider the possibility of a call from the UFC, he will need to defend his light heavyweight championship successfully against an always-game former world champion.
Fernandez feels that this matchup has a big-fight feel, as there may be a lot on the line for him in terms of his career. Defending champions, especially undefeated ones such as Fernandez, do not tend to stick around very long before making their way to the sport's highest stage.
Despite all the challenges that lay ahead, Fernandez feels that he is close to achieving his dreams and that fans are in for an electric night. Fernandez also hopes to catch the eyes of UFC CEO Dana White with an impressive performance and make a clear case as to why he should earn a contract.
"I'm going to prove that people were right to put their energy into me and believe in the fighter I am," Fernandez said. "I'm going to prove them right time and time again. Fans can expect poetry in motion. I'm a big guy, and I'm violent, but at the same time I'm always trying to have a flawless victory. I've got that dog in me. Whatever obstacles come, I will have the sharper tool.
"Dana, signing me would be the best bet you could take. I'm just starting to find my stride. If you're taking a shot on me, 10 out of 10 times I'm going to show you that it was a good bet. I won't let you down."
Limited tickets remain for CFFC 138 and can be purchased at CFFC.tv.
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