Anthony Guarascio says Dana White's Contender Series setback fueling his CFFC 148 prep: 'I'm glad that everything went the way it went'
Reigning CFFC heavyweight champion puts title on line on November 7 at Philadelphia's 2300 Arena and live on UFC FIGHT PASS
Just two months ago, CFFC heavyweight champion Anthony Guarascio felt sure he was on the verge of achieving his dream – but in 16 incredibly short seconds, it was all stripped away.
A shocking setback on Dana White's Contender Series meant Guarascio would have to delay that dream of signing a UFC deal, a reality that might initially seem like a daunting setback. Guarascio was certainly disappointed in the result, but he believes it might actually have been a blessing in disguise.
Since that moment, Guarascio has taken a hard look at every aspect of his approach to MMA, and he believes the changes he's already implemented both physically and mentally have had an immediate impact.
"I'm glad that everything went the way it went because I'm going to be honest with you, man – I think that I started to regain something back that I didn't think that I had for MMA," Guarascio said. "I was doing it solely off the fact that I was getting paid, and I think that made it completely unfun. I think it took away the process of camp and training and what we're training for and things and the reason that I even do this instead of having a regular 9-to-5 in the first place.
"Honestly, man, for this camp, I just got back to being an MMA fighter. I just went right back to the basics that got me even into MMA fighting, you know? Getting back into wrestling, getting back into being in an organized class, being told, 'Hey, you're doing this wrong. You're doing this – this is how I think you should do it,' and having some type of constructive criticism."
In addition to his continued work with trusted mentor Tom DeSantis, Florida's Guarascio enlisted the assistance of Sniper MMA wrestling coach Mahmoud Gomaa in Tampa, as well as American Mixed Martial Arts founder David Bybee in nearby Pinellas Park. It's been a daily grind, but one that Guarascio takes on with a passion – fueled by the frustration of the loss, as well as the flood of feedback he received in the aftermath – and has helped him once again center on his purpose.
"I've been committed to everybody in this camp," Guarascio said. "I've been committed to working. I've got 900 'F-ck you. I hate you. You screwed my parlay. Die.' I think if I didn't get any of those messages daily, bro, I wouldn't be doing sh-t with my life. So the last fight gained haters and it gained followers and it was that last fight, honestly, was my in to the UFC because what it did was, it was another fight.
"It was a fight that showed, hey, the Airbnb shouldn't matter. The surroundings shouldn't matter. Let's not treat this like a laid back situation. Let's go back to the hotel rooms. Let's go back to the takeout. Let's go back to the way things were and not forget why we're doing this: Not just for a paycheck, but because we were destined to do this, and we were only able to do it because we were meant to do it, and we shouldn't take that for granted and be lazy and things."
On Friday, November 7, Guarascio (3-1 MMA, 2-0 CFFC) gets an opportunity to return to the cage when he puts his CFFC belt on the line against promotional newcomer Larry Gonzales (7-4 MMA, 0-0 CFFC). The matchup headlines CFFC 148, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's historic 2300 Arena.
Never short on confidence, Guarascio has evaluated his opponent and believes it sets up perfectly for him to gain a little redemption.
"I don't really know Larry personally," Guarascio said. "I mean, there's nothing crazy to really say about the guy, other than I am more skilled in a lot of areas and I am more prepared.
"I think that in a career, some guys, I think at one point you become a journeyman, and I think that it's not a bad thing – it's just you get to a point to where, like, your body's only going to let you evolve so much, you know? I think he's hit his evolution peak. He's not terrible. I just don't think that the matchup with me will be best for him."
Should Guarascio get back to winning ways, he has no doubt the UFC will still come calling in relatively short order. After all, the heavyweight division is always in need of new talent, and love him or hate him, Guarascio certainly grabs attention.
Guarascio knows there are doubters – after all, they've reached out personally to make their feelings known. "The Daywalker" isn't sure he'll be able to change their minds with his next performance, but he wants to make it known those naysayers aren't doing anything but assisting in his rise.
"You know, you'll never silence the doubters," Guarascio said. "You'll never prove the people that think you suck wrong. When you win, they'll still say, 'I don't give a sh-t, you still suck. I hate you.' They'll still doubt you.
"Like, you have the belt, and they'll doubt that I'll defend the belt, so they'll always be around. Thank God I have some of those, because I know guys that don't have a hater, a doubter, a nothing in sight, and they got nothing going on. So honestly, I hope the doubters and the haters continue after this one."