Chris “El Guapo” Gutierrez looks to use a win at UFC Uruguay, boost his name in South America, and inspire those who need a little bit of hope in their lives
When the UFC touches down in Uruguay for UFC on ESPN+ 14 on August 10, there will be several Latin American fighters looking to take over the spotlight. But Chris “El Guapo” Gutierrez, will have the first shot as he will be part of the first UFC fight to take place in Uruguay against Geraldo de Freitas. Gutierrez, who is of Colombian (dad’s side) and Guatemalan (mom’s side) descent, doesn’t take the opportunity lightly to represent South America in South America.
“That’s a big check off the bucket list you know. It means a lot, it means I get to represent in front of my people, in front of all South America.”
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Because he has lived in poverty and felt the hopelessness many often feel when things aren’t going their way, Gutierrez wants to use this opportunity to inspire and motive those who watch him.
“(It showcases) you want to be anything you want to be in life. I always say inspire to motivate. Inspire people to achieve big things in life, regardless of whatever it is, whether it’s fighting, any kind of business they want…to motivate them, to make them passionate about what they want to go for.”
The bout will also be an opportunity for the Factory X product to start his first win streak of his UFC career. After losing his UFC debut, Gutierrez defeated Ryan MacDonald in March to earn his first UFC win, but as great as it was to get that first win, Gutierrez wants more.”
“Getting a win under the UFC banner, that’s a big thing. That’s a big accomplishment that not many people can say they’ve done. So, getting that win on the biggest stage of the world, it’s a very satisfying feeling but I’m not done. That’s the tip of the surface, I’m ready to take on the whole division.”
That win wasn’t just a win for Gutierrez, it represented much more as he is currently going through a custody battle for his son. In fact, his career as a fighter was used against him in court despite being an athlete in the biggest organization in the world. He also hasn’t seen his son in five months. He has been chipping away at the battle and hopes to continue to make progress after his fight on August 10.
“First thing first is I have to win on August 10th and slowly but surely, it’s a slow process but I’ve been chipping away at this mountain for a long time, this custody battle but I’m not going to give up on my son. I know that’s what they want but I’m never going to give up on him. I made a promise to him that I’m going to do everything I could to get him back and I’ll be damned if I break that promise. It just motivates me, it just fuels me to want to do good in life.”
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As he mentioned, Gutierrez must focus on his upcoming fight against de Freitas. De Freitas has a record of 12-4 and is coming off of a victory against Felipe Colares in his UFC debut in February at UFC on ESPN+ 2. Gutierrez has watched tape on Colares and came away confident that he taken take advantage of holes in his opponent’s game.
“I like the matchup, he’s a black belt in jiu jitsu, he’s a boxer, he likes to throw some kicks in there but defensively, I don’t think he’s really smart, he’s got a lot of holes in his game. And even when he’s on the attack, I think he attacks very recklessly, and that’s fine that you attack reckless but that leaves a lot of openings and I’m really good on capitalizing on openings.”
And to beat Colares, Gutierrez says quite simply, he will break him.
“I’m going to break him, I’m going to keep a high pace on him, I’m going to frustrate him with movement and I’m just going to frustrate him with a barrage of punches and just stay on him.”
Gutierrez vs. Colares takes place on August 10 on ESPN+.
