When we talk about resilience; Hekel Sosa This term should be explained in your instruction manual. The Canary Islands fighter won a high-stakes fight and earned a coveted UFC contract. Until then, everything is “normal”. that … What’s incredible is that he did it after learning of his father’s death just the day before. He decided to move forward and make his dreams come true. Because it was a communal thing. After the initial mourning, he now aims to make his debut in the first quarter of 2026, and the horizons awaiting him in the “Champions League” of mixed martial arts are very promising. The Guanche Warrior (as he is nicknamed) visited ABC House to analyze his next steps within the UFC.
– How are you doing, Hesher? He finally became a UFC fighter.
-The truth is, that’s very good, it’s always fun to talk to you, and even more so since I’m already a UFC fighter. I’ve said many times that I already feel like a UFC fighter and now it’s a reality and I want to start my journey within the world’s biggest company.
-In the end, I think it became so visual that it became the norm.
– I always felt like I was getting to where I said I would get and it was like something normal, I want to be in my natural habitat and continue to grow. When one dream ends, another begins and what I have wanted for a long time now begins: to fight in the UFC and show what I am.
-What have you noticed most about being a UFC fighter?
-I think my story sold a lot, especially among fans. The moment I had to fight (my father died the day before the fight and I was able to get a contract with the UFC) and what I did…my followers grew a lot and people asked me a lot of photos. That’s incredible to me. Because I’m a boy from Lanzarote and it’s spectacular to travel all over the world and be asked for photos.
– People sympathized with his story against the background of the fact that he had to fight the most important battle of his life, learning about the death of his father a few hours after the battle.
– Yes, I did something that most people don’t do. To get where you want to go, you have to do things that others won’t do. And that’s what I did. I fought in a very complicated situation, played a good role and dominated for 15 minutes trying to finish the fight from the beginning. All of this really touched people’s hearts when it came to the subject of my father. This is very complicated. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but it helped me grow as an athlete and as a person.
-In the last fight that earned him a contract with the UFC, he was able to prove a lot about his game for 15 minutes.
-Yes, I had to finish it. But I have always said that I am very complete and feel good in all aspects. People think I’m a “striker” because that’s how I usually fight, but I fought a guy much taller than me and knocked him down and controlled him on the ground. I am prepared for any situation and still keep many weapons in my stash.
-The UFC was aware of your personal situation and offered to cancel the fight, right?
– Yes, I went to the gym on Sunday to lose weight, and my manager showed up with the UFC team and suggested that I stop the fight and not worry because it might happen again later. But I told them, “No, I’m in Las Vegas representing my father on a mission. I knew my father had left his body to be with me, so I did it.”
Hechar Sosa visited the ABC newsroom and received a long-awaited contract with the UFC after winning the Contender Series. His performance, which came after learning of his father’s death the day before, touched the hearts of UFC CEO Dana White. He gave him a note written in ink on the canary’s paw. “I know the damn reason your last name will ever be known.”
-I imagine that once everything happens and you have the contract in hand, you will have an emotional breakdown.
– Yes, especially when we arrived in Lanzarote. When I walked into the house, I felt my dad wasn’t there, my mom was devastated, the reality hit me, everything my family was going through…and I was far away. But the only thing that remained was the fact that I was able to give them joy and fulfilled my dream, which was also my father’s dream. But coming into the UFC, I wasn’t as happy as I expected. Everything was clouded because of my father. I’ve had a somewhat difficult month.
-And what are you doing now?
-It’s a little better now. The pain never goes away, but you learn to live with it. I am already training as before. I dedicated the time I needed to spend with my family, that’s what I had to do. Although he now looks forward to taking the next step and concentrating on his sporting career, Geher Sosa will remain for a while.
-And what’s your next goal within the UFC?
-They offered me a fight at Madison Square Garden on November 15th, but it was too early. I needed some time to rest and change my training camp. It’s worked well so far, but I need to step it up. I want to continue to be the active fighter that brought me this far. I’m hoping to do it in Las Vegas in March, London in July, and New York at the end of the year. If he wins the first two games, he can renew his contract.
– Very clear, but where should I sign?
-(lol). You don’t need to sign anything. Just work and execute.
-There was another fighter who participated in the Contender Series, Mark Vologdin, who made both his debuts in the UFC.
– Yes, I beat his teammate Bilal Tipsaev, so they are crazy about me. I think there is a picture of me on display in that gym to motivate me to train (lol). Everyone at that club challenged me. I don’t have a specific name that I want to fight for, that they call me. I’ll knock out whoever it is.
-Want to analyze potential competitors on the UFC roster?
– Yes, apart from the fact that I always watch all the UFC matches at my weight, I have studied possible opponents, as well as opponents who are at the top. I will also learn from them, imagine playing against them, and on the day I have to play against them, I will already be doing it in my head.
-What conclusion did the UFC draw after the fight? What perception do they have about you?
– They said that my article sold well, that several photographers accompanied me when I arrived in Lanzarote, that they wanted me to participate in numbered events, and that it was almost impossible to join the UFC and fight in such events. They told me I would be going on a long journey within the company and that’s how it would be.
-My understanding is that you were the closest Spanish fighter to joining the UFC, but the next one is still a little far away. Do you have any advice for Spanish players who have come from behind to win?
– Be patient, I’ve been there for about three years, I’ll fight anyone, if you want to fight in the UFC, you can’t say no to a fight, and take care of yourself. For now we are ordered to stop practicing after the battle, or to concentrate on the party, but we do not know when the opportunity will arise.
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