MMA Recap

Recapping With William Romero - Fighting Consumes Your Life

by Brent Todd - 02-12-2010

William Romero is probably one of the most talked about Canadian fighters right now and Bellator recently signed him to compete in their season two featherweight tournament. MMA Recap's Brent Todd recently caught up with Romero to discuss his thoughts on Bellator, some of his previous fights and more.

Romero has always been interested in fighting ever since he can remember. His parents put him in Tae Kwon Do lessons at the age of nine, and since then he hasn't stopped. Romero puts it best. "Ever since I was a kid it was something I was interested in. At the age of nine I started taking classes in Tae Kwon Do, but soon after I wanted something a little more practical and a little more aggressive. As a kid I was always fighting on the street. So I switched to Kung Fu and then I joined the Canadian Forces. After my time there I started doing Muay Thai. I did some amateur fights and then got into profession mma little under two years ago now."

Romero has an impressive 5-0 record finishing four of his five opponents. His amazing performances and finishes are what caught the eye of Bellator. "When Bellator called it was the happiest moment of my career. Bellator is a major promotion and they are doing real good things. I like what they did last year with their show. I know they have a good staff that are business minded. I know they have good plans and I am excited by what the organization is going to do. So for me to get the news, was the biggest news of my career."

As for the tournament structure itself, Romero thinks it is ideal. "The thing that I like most about the tournament is that you have to fight three fights to get to the champion. Especially in the time frame that you are given. You have to fight every four weeks. It's really challenging and you have to preserve yourself as far as injuries go. You have to stay healthy as much as possible. You really want to make your first couple of fights as smooth as possible. Bellator means warrior, and the tournament is exactly that. You have to be a real warrior to be the champion."

Aside from trying to stay healthy through out the tournament, nothing else is seen as a problem for Romero. "Outside of trying to stay healthy I don't think there are any other hinderances. I mean we are all in the same ship. They all have to do the same thing, the rules are the same for each of us. It's going to be tough and the best man will win."

As for the competition in the tournament, Bellator has already announced several tough competitors for the featherweight tournament. But Romero doesn't care who is in front of him. "All of the guys are very tough. My mentality right now is that I will be fighting all of them. There is no one I prefer so once I get the call about who I am fighting, that's who I will be focusing on."

And while other fighters in the tournament haven’t spent much time watching current champion Joe Sotto, Romero has. "I have been watching Soto for the last year. Ever since he burst onto the scene and he's a champion. He's the guy we are all gunning for. I am excited about getting a chance to win the tournament and go in there and fight him. That's what my goal is. I think there are things in my game that are better than him and vice versa. I feel good with my chances but you know the first step is making sure I win that first fight in the tournament to make that dream come true."

The first two fights of Romero's career were against Mike Roberts. For many a rematch isn't unheard of, but back-to-back fights with the same person doesn't happen very often. Romero reflects on why the fights happened. "The first fight I punched Mike and his mouth piece flew out. He pointed at his mouth piece hinting that he wanted a break to put it back in. He looked at the ref and the ref looked at it like he was just trying to get a time out. He didn't stop the fight and I just punched him. He dropped and I ground and pounded him out. He got up and protested that it wasn't fair and all this stuff. We got the fight of the night so the promotion gave him a rematch and said it was for the belt. And while the second fight lasted longer, I still beat him."

As for his favorite fight, that would be against Guillaume Lamarche. "My favorite fight is my last fight against Guillaume Lamarche. The reason being is that he was more experienced than I am and he was the hometown guy. I went in there and I beat him in seventeen seconds."

Romero trains out of Iron Tiger Muay Thai and as such many opponents underestimate his ground game. "I have been training there for the last four years. Muay Thai is my base. I also have a boxing coach and I feel my standup is where I am the best at. All of the guys I have fought take me to the ground thinking I don't have a ground game. I have two submission wins because my opponents didn't realize it."

As for training differently for the tournament, Romero is only chaning one thing. "I've begun training with a strength and conditioning coach. I am already training for the tournament, but as far as game plan it will change slightly from opponent to opponent."

Fighting has taken over his life. It is all he does. "When I am not fighting I am resting. I train three times a day, five days a week and twice on Saturdays. This is all I do. I watch a lot of videos to keep my mind in the game. I think if you are a fighter then it has to consume your life. I don't go out and party or drink."

Romero's favorite breakfast cereal is very simple: Raisin Bran.

Romero would like to thank the following sponsors. "Popeye's supplements, Hercs Nutrition, Fight Planet, Take the Risk Clothing, Hostile Wear and Joya."

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