Time away not wasted, CFFC 141 winner Lucas Cortes grateful for journey, excited to push forward
After more than three years away from competition, American Top Team prospect believes his time is now.
TAMPA, Florida – Even Lucas Cortes admits he wasn't exactly sure what to expect at this past weekend's CFFC 141 event. After all, with more than three years between fights, it's hard to be certain how things will play out.
Fortunately for Cortes, the answer was "quite impressively."
The American Top Team middleweight wasted no time in attacking aggressively with strikes at the start of the contest and then immediately scoring a takedown, before leaping up his opponent's back to lock in a slick submission just 44 seconds into the contest, taking home the win and the night's OnlyFans "Submission of the Night" bonus in the process.
As dangerous as he looked, Cortes thinks he might be even better next time out.
"I feel good," Cortes said. "I feel like that first one had a lot of emotions with it that the next one might not because all the time I took off, but I don't think that really played a factor. I've been in the best gym in the world, working my ass off, so I feel good about it.
"All my anxieties and everything melted away when I got in there. I was very present, and that's what I'm most happy about. I think next time will be even more so, you know?"
While he didn't have much time to work, Cortes showed an impressive array of skills in a very short time, including the transition that set up his reverse triangle-armbar win, initially taking the back but then stepping over his opponent's shoulder with his right leg in a smooth setup.
Cortes thanked fifth-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Ailton Barbosa, who's currently working at American Top Team Happy Valley, for teaching him the technique during his time at the school's Coconut Creek headquarters.
"That's something that Ailton Barbosa, the old jiu-jitsu coach for American Top Team, he used to get me in that all the time," Cortes said. "That was his signature, so I learned that from him about four years ago, and I've been rolling with it."
It was an impressive finish, to be sure, especially given the lengthy layoff Cortes (2-0 MMA, 1-0 CFFC) endured to reach that moment. While some might suggest it was time wasted in the growth of his career, Cortes simply doesn't agree.
"I don't see it as lost time," Cortes said. "I learned a lot, became a man in that time. It was more so just a compilation of different things. I had an MCL tear, different injuries here and there, small things, and I just had to find my footing a little bit, man. Grow up a little bit, learn from mistakes, but like I said, I'm focused on the future now. I'm worried about this year and what I'm going to do to pave my way."
The first stone of that new trail was certainly laid in style, and there's immediate excitement around his next step. With a multi-fight agreement in place with CFFC, he's got an eye on a rumored July return for the organization to the market.
"I've been on the Paddy Pimblett diet for a few days now, so I've got to clean that up, get back to it and get back on the mat," Cortes said with a smile. "I feel crazy when I don't have that mat time.
"I'm focused on the future now. I've got momentum now. I want to go 3-0. I just want to keep the ball rolling, keep the momentum. I'm healthy. I'm happy. I'm ready to go."
If CFFC 141 featured a rusty Lucas Cortes, his next opponent might be in for a long (or very short night). Until then, Cortes just wants to savor the moment and is thrilled to be back on the chase of his ultimate goal.
"Thank you American Top Team," Cortes said. "Thank you to my family. Thank you Diego Lacerda, who left his wife at home to be in my corner, and I'm just so grateful. I'm so grateful that I'm finally back in the cage and back to it."