Dana White's Contender Series setback behind, Greg Velasco ready to show mature approach as CFFC 131
Reigning heavyweight champ looks to rebound from first defeat when he returns at Friday's event in Atlantic City.
CFFC champions don't often get many opportunities to defend their titles, with the sport's top promotions generally calling with invitations shortly after those belts are won.
Reigning heavyweight king Greg Velasco found himself in exactly that position, though he then came up short against recent UFC headliner Shamil Gaziev when the two clashed under the Dana White's Contender Series banner this past September.
It's a result "The Viking King" says proved valuable but remains no less frustrating.
"The overall experience, it was just really different for me because, like, I'm used to the crowd," Velasco said. "CFFC always has a real big crowd either booing you or cheering for you, so the energy's always there. Being in the Apex, it was so silent. Everything was awkward.
"But I definitely learned some stuff in there. You realize that making those mistakes in the big fights, they catch you sooner than when you make mistakes in other fights, so I made a couple of slip-ups that I shouldn't have made, and Shamil caught me. He was the better man that day, so I had to move forward. It was hard to swallow the pill, but all we could do is just try to improve going forward."
Velasco was anxious to return to action as quickly as possible, initially eyeing a spot on CFFC's year-end show, but he ultimately elected to wait a few more months as he welcomed his first child into the world. As with all new parents, Velasco said it's been a life-changing experience but one he's happy to explore.
Now that new family routines are in place, Velasco (6-1) is ready to resume his martial arts journey, putting his title on the line for the second time when he meets undefeated challenger Bailey Schoenfelder (4-0) at Friday's CFFC 131, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Velasco knows he's facing another game opponent and is anxious to show the improvements he's made in his time away.
"He's a tall, athletic, rangier guy, ex-football player," Velasco said of his opponent. "He's a Bellator veteran, obviously likes to throw hands like most heavyweights, looking for the knockout, so I feel it's going to be another tough, athletic guy. I heard he's a little lighter, but from what I've seen, he just likes to throw volume with his hands, and he's got pretty decent footwork, so I'm excited for the challenge."
Should Velasco prove victorious, he'll certainly be on the right path back to another big-show opportunity, but he knows that can't be the focus for now. In the heavyweight division, one mistake can end a fight in an instant, so he's got to stay in the moment at all times and make sure when that opportunity comes again, he's ready to capitalize.
"Really, it's just trying to evolve my game and just mature as a fighter – really fill up the holes and fix the gaps that I'm missing," Velasco said. "The goal is always to get the call to the next level, to be on the big show, depending what show it is. I'm always willing for the next opportunity, but now I'm just taking all the challenges that they send me and just trying to improve every time."
On Friday, Velasco gets a chance to show that evolution against a dynamic opponent equally capable of spectacular finishes. It's an opportunity "The Viking King" relishes, and he promises to deliver a memorable clash for what's expected to be a raucous crowd on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
"I'm just excited to put on a show and hopefully just make it up to my fans for my lackluster performance in my last one and see if we can go out there and make it a real night," Velasco said.
