Chris Camozzi used to be an undercard fighter that I knew about through a mutual friend in the fight business. “Camozzi’s old-school” my buddy would say, “You would like him.” It may be the inherent hipster in me, but I don’t like to be told what to like, unless it involves Twizzlers or Metal Gear Solid — even then. That was impression number 1. But I watched Camozzi duke it out with a man I can’t recall to make it into the TUF 11 house, then watched him get unceremonioulsy yanked from said house when he tried to hide the fact that his jaw was broken. That left impression number two.
Impression number three came today. When, in one of many of Camozzi’s fantastic blog posts, he spoke about his love of the fight game, and stepping up when you’re called. Camozzi was called all right — he’s gone through a veritable rollercoaster of opponents for his upcoming fight in Brazil at UFC on FX 8. First he stepped in on relatively short notice to face TUF Brazil winner Cezar Ferreira in Brazil, then when Ferreira dropped out, Camozzi didn’t blink in saying yes to his replacement in Rafael Natal. Then when Constantinos Phillipou dropped out of his fight with incoming former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Camozzi once again raised his hand without a thought.
In his blog post below from the UG, he explains why:
The best part of this fight is the fact that I have nothing to lose. I am fighting a fight that on paper I shouldn’t be able to win, I have been finding a way to win these fights time and time again. I seem to be the guy selected to lose and yet I always find a way. I am a fighter’s fighter, I will never say no. I am the guy that broke his jaw in his TUF debut and lied to ringside doctors about the break. I showed up for sparring practice the next morning and forged ahead. Had the producers not had so many cameras I would have never been found out and I would have completed my TUF season. As it was when other guys are going home because they miss their girlfriends or video games I had to be dragged out the door for medical reasons.
I vowed that day that my dream to fight for the UFC will come true, no matter who or what I have to fight through. Some guys are calling for this fight or that fight and I am the guy calling for ANY FIGHT!
Every fight I wasn’t supposed to have a “chance” in, I went in there and put on some of the best performances of my life. I know I can win this fight and shock the world. I am more than prepared to do that. I am in shape and ready to go. I will always be the guy willing to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime and I think the UFC believes that now as well.
For me, I believe if you are not ready to walk in and fight the best in the world, then you don’t belong in the Octagon. I’m ready to be recognized as one of the top UFC Middleweights in the division. I’m going straight up the middle, no side stepping. I’m paid to fight and the UFC decides who and when.
I fight for the fans as a fan. If you want support me in my rise to the top join me on this website and on Twitter. You can follow me twitter.com/ChrisCamozzi. I follow my fans and I am always willing to answer questions and interact with you. If you have any topics that you want me to blog about please hit me up. Thank you for the support.
You can read the entire inspiring post here.
