Rolando Bedoya feels the time is right to test his skills among the best in the world, and he’s got exactly that.
On Saturday, the Chute Boxe prospect has the opportunity to show the world his skillset, as he’s set to make his promotional debut on the preliminary card of UFC 288 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Bedoya (14-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) takes on battle-tested Khaos Williams in a welterweight bout.
This is everything Bedoya is looking for in his career at this point in time.
“The truth is that this was just a matter of time, I knew that one day I would be here,” Bedoya told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I never imagined that I wasn’t going to make it to the UFC. I knew I was going to fight here.
“Like the mestre says, ‘God’s time is right,’ so there’s a reason why this is happening now. I’ve matured a lot, I’ve fought well recently. I feel very comfortable in my jiu-jitsu and wrestling, and my exchanges. I’m at the level of the UFC, and I’m going to put on a show.”
Debuting in the UFC is a dream come true for the 26-year-old from Peru. Bedoya ever has engrained the moment he got the news he was a UFC fighter, and he was fighting Williams (13-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC).
“It was a Friday, I remember exactly,” Bedoya said. “It was actually my birthday. I remember Diego (Lima, my manager) was in the U.S. and he called me and said he had good news, and he gave me the big news. It was a great birthday present.”
The chance to fight in the octagon almost came earlier in Bedoya’s career. There was talk of maybe a fight in the UFC’s debut event in Uruguay back in August 2019. He’s glad this opportunity is coming almost for years later and not now.
“I feel very happy that this happened because I’ve matured in all areas – as a person, as an athlete, spiritually, everything,” Bedoya explained. “I’ve matured a lot and I know that I’m a different Ronaldo Bedoya. I’m going to give a great show this Saturday, and we’ll see what happens in the future. We’re going to put on a great performance.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.
