Isaac Villanueva: My Reaction to Getting Called Up to the UFC

After 12 years of competing on the mixed martial arts regional circuit, Isaac Villanueva recently received the news he has worked so hard for. Starting May 13, at UFC Fight Night 171 in Jacksonville, Florida, he will finally join the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster. It was a revelation that the power-punching Texan admits made him emotional.

“Tears of joy man. It broke me down,” Villanueva told Sherdog. “Because I’ve been through the rough road. I’ve been at the bottom, where everyone forgot about me. I had to fight my way back. When I finally got [the offer] I was getting off work that day. It was Friday [and] that was the day that Houston opened up the restaurants [after pandemic restrictions]. I was going to take my wife to dinner. Jason [House his manager] Facetimed me. He never Facetimed me. It’s always text message or phone call. I thought he butt-dialed me. When I picked that phone up, he said, ‘man we got it. May 13.’”

In his conversation with Sherdog, Villanueva spoke more about earning his first UFC contract, and if the coronavirus pandemic may have pushed his opportunity ahead of schedule. He also talked about his upcoming bout with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship veteran Chase Sherman, and its fight of the night potential. He gave his thoughts on former friends popping up after many years once he was booked on his first UFC card. Plus, he spoke on his day job and the support he has received from management throughout his fighting career.