Las Vegas — Bellator MMA veteran Gaston Bolanos returned to action for the first time in over a year, and returned to the featherweight division as well at UFC Vegas 119 this past Saturday.
There, he got back in the win column against Michael Aswell Jr., securing a unanimous decision victory over a fighter who previously competed at lightweight.
Speaking with Cageside Press and other media outlets following his win at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Bolanos (9-5) admitted that the time off, which saw him endure a fight cancellation a few months back, was longer than anticipated.
“It was a little bit of a delay. I was not planning on being out for a year, but it happens. This year allowed me to grow so much not only as a fighter but as a person,” Bolanos explained.
“I’ve been able to really work on myself not only as a martial artist, but I’ve grown a lot as a man. I love the person I’m becoming, I love all the things, the new morals and things that I have in my life. The way my life is going is amazing and I think that’s the reason why I was able to show that new version of me at 145lbs, because my life is going so well.”
Prior to the UFC, Bolanos had competed at featherweight, and he returned to the weight class on Saturday. In fact, he’s not entirely sure why had made the decision to drop a division upon signing with the most recognizable promotion in mixed martial arts.
“I feel like my last four fights, I had shackles on me. Not only dropping to 135lbs, it was a rough cut for me. I didn’t actually make that cut until I made my UFC debut; I don’t know why, I just signed with the UFC and I was like ‘yup I’m going to drop a whole 10 pounds.,’” he noted. “145lbs is the division that got me to the dance, so I don’t know why I did that.”
As far as his showing on Saturday, meanwhile, Bolanos added that “I think I was able to show that I’m a tough son of a b*tch and I’m here to stay.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 119 post-fight press conference with Gaston Bolanos above.