MMA
Aaron Aby has beaten cancer, battles incurable illness and now he’s going for his dream: Oktagon title could be my peak, I want to win it like Rocky
Will Aaron Aby be the new Octagon champion? The Welsh fighter has a tremendous life story behind him, he has successfully fought against the odds and the flyweight title could be the icing on the cake. In an interview with Ruik, he spoke about battling cystic fibrosis, beating cancer and his fight with Elias Garcia.
Will Aaron Aby be the new Oktagon champion? The Welsh fighter has a tremendous life story behind him, he has successfully fought against the fate and the flyweight title could be the icing on the cake. In an interview with Ruik, he spoke about battling cystic fibrosis, beating cancer and his fight with Elias Garcia.
Aaron Aby didn’t think long about the Oktagon offer
A flyweight in the Oktagon? A mostly non-existent weight division since the departure of David Dvorak, who fights in the UFC. Until recently, promoter Ondrej Novotny denied that it would be opened, but the opposite is true. Thanks to the expansion to the UK, there are many fighters from this weight class and we will see a new champion right away.
It could be Aaron Aby, who will face UFC veteran Elias Garcia, who incidentally is a cousin of the legendary Anthony Pettis. But it is Aby’s story that is remarkable and deserves attention of all MMA fans.
The fighter from Wales didn’t think too long about the Oktagon offer. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the organization and the fans. I wanted to be part of it all,” Aby admitted in an interview with Ruiksport.
That the flyweight division will open with a title fight? “I’m excited and honored to fight for the title. I think the flyweight division is the most attractive division in MMA, all in all there is no better way to prove it. It’s great to have the chance to make history and become the first flyweight king in the Oktagon.”
In the past, the Welshman has come close to a title shot at Cage Warriors, but lost a key bout. Now he can make up for that. “It’s all the more pressure, but it’s also all the more exciting. Pressure is a privilege I put on myself in this sport. I enjoy it. How could I not love going into a title fight after fighting to the death for my life? This story is bigger than me as an individual,” he says.
He’s been struggling with life since he was born
Oktagon has already briefly featured the story of the fighter from Wales on social media, other and it’s no wonder. It is truly impressive, as Aaron Aby has been a fighter since the moment he saw the light of day. Almost since birth, he has been battling cystic fibrosis.
“I’ve been fighting cystic fibrosis my whole life. It has presented me with many challenges throughout my life’s journey. These challenges have become my strengths. I’m motivated to give people hope, prove them wrong, and achieve something great despite the hand I’ve been dealt. It’s how you play those cards that matters,” he commented on his illness.
Doctors said he should not have survived adolescence, let alone played sports. But he played football until he was 18, even at national level. He played with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Gareth Bale.
“It didn’t go the way it should have and combat sports started to dominate. I fell in love with the hardness of the training, how I had to dedicate myself to my health, the fighting mentality. I’ve been fighting my whole life and it seems like I can express who I am as a person in the cage,” Aby explained of his end with football.
Interestingly, the 33-year-old fighter comes from Wrexham, which is now famous for the football club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. He played for the club himself and watched its matches during his childhood.
“I spent many Sundays watching Wrexham games when I was growing up. I even played for them, supported them. It’s fantastic what’s happening at the club now. The community around it is special. The club has been through tough times and deserves what is happening there now,” he let slip.
It was while he was playing for Wrexham that he started martial arts: “My uncle Julian started running a course to support people with cystic fibrosis. I started attending it with my dad and absolutely loved it.”
Fighting cancer was the hardest part, admits Aaron Aby
The Welsh fighter has had to fight several battles in his life. He was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancer, plus he had a stomach tumour. During his treatment he went through chemotherapy and three surgeries. Doctors gave him three to six months to live. But he won the battle.
“It was the toughest battle of my life. It will take a lot out of you and your loved ones. There were a lot of dark moments, but I always fought and looked for hope. Who I am now, along with the people around me, has made me stronger. I will never give up, nothing will ever break me. I just kept going no matter what,” Aaron Aby spoke about his battle with cancer.
Two years after hearing the harsh diagnosis, he fought in the cage again. For his life story, the new Oktagon prospect received a nomination for the 2022 MMA World Awards in the Fighting Spirit category.
“To be honest, I was very pleased. It was an award not only for being a fighter, but because of who I am as a person and who I’ve inspired. It means a lot more to me than my record. I’ve always wanted to be an inspiration to people, to give them hope when they need it,” said the man who will fight for the flyweight title in Manchester on November 4.
“The battles I’ve been through in my life have made me the person I am today. I’m always trying to be a better person who can help people. I appreciate what I have and what I have accomplished. But a title fight is not a small thing compared to those battles, it means a lot to me. It was hard to put myself in that position.”
As he says of himself, he’s nothing special. He enjoys coffee and walking his dog. Modesty could be his middle name. But he may soon reach his sporting peak.
Will he win a title like the legendary Rocky?
“The world title in the Octagon is my chance to reach my peak in the sport. My goal is obviously to win and to inspire people with my story,” he explains the importance of the belt he can earn in the organization.
“It was a very difficult experience, but I know that my journey was never meant to be easy. You are only one good performance away from something special. I’ve never been written off even with a losing streak. I had to change my perspective and just move forward.”
As mentioned, his opponent will be Elias Garcia. “He’s a very good and complex fighter. I’m expecting an attractive fight at a high tempo. I will create pressure the whole fight and I am looking forward to fighting such a good fighter,” he praises his rival.
“I can’t wait for the five-round battle. The longer the fight gets, the more it will suit me. The further you get, the more heart and mentality matters. It’s going to sound silly, but my dream scenario is that it’s going to be 2-2 on rounds won before the fifth round, and in the last round it’s going to come down to who wants it more. In short, the Rocky ending I’ve dreamed of my whole life,” Aaron Aby revealed his dream scenario.
He is praising the training camp, and the Welsh fighter is equally positive about the crashes. “Expect someone who never gives up, who always gives it his all and always finds a way. I’m really looking forward to seeing the fans.”
“I would like to thank everyone who supports me on my journey. I feel that me and Oktagon with its owners and the people that work in the organization are a great fit. The passion of the fans then is something that I will repay with my fighting style,” Aby concluded the whole story.
Source: Ruik, Oktagon MMA
