Will Rentz has simple secret to recent success ahead of CFFC 144: 'I'm willing to suffer'

All-action lightweight returns to action at Friday's event at Tampa's Florida State Fairgrounds and live on UFC FIGHT PASS.

With five knockout wins under the CFFC banner, "Iron" Will Rentz (5-2) has proven himself as an athlete not to be missed when he steps in the cage.

Most recently, Rentz returned from a nine-month layoff, and the Tampa resident delivered a picture-perfect performance in front of his hometown crowd against promotional newcomer Shane Mistretta at April's CFFC 141.

While Mistretta entered the CFFC cage with an impressive resume, he was barely able to lay a finger on Rentz, who utilized his high-level grappling game to shut down his opponent. Rentz wasted no time in putting pressure on his foe, scoring early top pressure, as well as unleashing a relentless onslaught of ground and pound.

After nine minutes, Mistretta had no answers for "Iron" Will, ultimately losing by TKO. After electrifying the Florida crowd yet again, and now standing at 4-1 in his past five appearances, it's become clear that Rentz is fulfilling his potential in the sport.

However, rather than being overly prideful of his sensational performance, Rentz has remained focused on improving from even the smallest of errors he made. That said, a finish is a finish, and Rentz was happy to leave the cage without a scratch.

"I felt good about my performance, but I always like to hunt for the first-round finish," Rentz said. "I felt like I could've used my submission offense a little more. I've been working on it outside of camp, but I'm happy with the result. Any fight I can come out with and not have to have surgery is good for me."

Perhaps just as impressive as his fighting ability has been Rentz's ability to overcome adversity time and time again. In 2023, Rentz was sitting at just 3-2 in his career, coming off a TKO loss to Christopher Alvidrez, and was battling through lingering injury problems. Rentz was ultimately forced to spend time away from the cage to heal up the damage accrued in consecutive training camps.

Rentz's desire to compete never wavered. Having the team at Gracie Tampa South and Gracie PAC assist him in recovery and training, Rentz returned to the cage with renewed focus and has since amassed two back-to-back finishes, taking very little damage in the process.

For Rentz, the key has been to get better every day. Rentz is no stranger to making the necessary sacrifices needed to take his game to the highest level. While he does possess a high-level grappling pedigree along with improved striking capabilities, what's truly made Rentz dangerous inside the cage has been his mentality and prowess to walk through any goal he sets for himself no matter the circumstance.

"For me, the key is to just focus on that continual growth," Rentz said. "I'm a completely different fighter than I was then in almost every way. I've been putting in the work every day, four or five hours a day. Physical work. Mental work.

"I'm sacrificing everything for this sport. Suffering and failing for it. I'm grateful for all the setbacks because they brought me to where I am as a fighter. You never want to fail, but it's a part of life, and how you deal with failure makes you who you are."

Rentz has been very open about both the physical and mental struggles he's been dealing with throughout his career. In a sport with very big personalities, Rentz remains a breath of fresh air with his story, giving fans an honest glimpse of the ups and downs of the fight game.

Rentz has never been anything but real. Not one to be cocky or arrogant, he has always kept an honest perspective about his career and what he needs to do to get to the UFC one day. Never shying away from his failures, but rather finding a way to succeed no matter the obstacle – long layoffs, injuries, you name it – Rentz has overcome and kept pushing forward.

This time, Rentz was able to quickly turn around and step up to compete in his hometown. Free of injury, Rentz took a huge opportunity to face a high-level prospect and what may be his toughest test. On Friday, Rentz (5-2 MMA, 5-2 CFFC) will return to his hometown to compete against undefeated newcomer Alius Delarosa (3-0 MMA, 0-0 CFFC) at CFFC 144, which will stream live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Tampa's Florida State Fairgrounds.

Both fighters will bring a 100-percent finish rate to the cage which certainly is a recipe for an exciting fight, and if you ask Rentz, he would agree. Delarosa enters CFFC as a four-time state champion wrestler out of Idaho, which will certainly put Rentz's abilities to the test.

Rentz was notably excited when asked about his undefeated opponent, stating that this type of challenge has been something he's been seeking. The thought of adding another undefeated opponent to his resume has lit a fire under Rentz and will serve as a great benchmark between the two young fighters.

"I couldn't be more excited about this fight," Rentz said. "This guy has never lost. This is a match that's getting me out of bed every morning. I love it. I love this kind of challenge. I respect his wrestling ability. He's got a great double leg. I'm prepared to deal with him. These kinds of matchups are what I live for."

For Rentz, getting to the UFC has never been about "if" and has always been about "when." Through adversity, Rentz has gained confidence in himself and proven to himself and the sport that without a doubt he is a fighter.

Rentz has remained an interesting story, showcasing his true will to succeed in the sport no matter what is asked of him. These efforts certainly allowed him to gain a recent surge in fanfare, especially from the Tampa crowd.

While Rentz's first love is undeniably fighting, he's even more excited when he gets to compete in front of friends and family and looks forward to hearing the roar of his hometown crowd yet again under the bright CFFC lights.

This fight will surely not be one to miss, with Rentz taking another step in his blooming MMA career with potential championship contenders at hand.

"I want to see what I am made of," Rentz said. "I'm willing to suffer. I suffer more than most people are willing to suffer in a lifetime. I needed those failures to grow into the man I am now. It's easy to doubt yourself, but if you take what you need from failure, there's nothing that can stop you.

"I love putting on for my people. There's nothing else like it. I love the people who are watching my fights, connecting with them, and enjoying the performances I'm putting on. I appreciate you all."

ARTICLE BY: SETH FASSANO