By Danny Jones (@tidy_MMA)
“This isn’t a comeback. We never stopped” – Ozzy Diaz on Instagram stories, March 3rd 2024.
There is a sincere ebullience to Ozzy Diaz, reflective of a renewed vitality.
For the first time in over 19 months, the former LFA Middleweight Champion returns to professional competition on March 8th 2024, at LFA 178.
The Angeleno last competed on Dana White’s Contender Series, coming up short against surging UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer in a contest color commentator Laura Sanko described as “a fight you absolutely could be seeing on a UFC card”.
Following an extended period of reflection, reassessment, and rebuilding, the 33-year-old now emits a rejuvenated exuberance. In his own words, “that fire is burning more than it ever has been”.
“I feel amazing man” Ozzy affirms. “I feel great. I’m very, very excited. I feel like I found the love for martial arts. Obviously I had that last loss to Pyfer which I’m so grateful for now. It took time – I was very hard on myself. Man, I’m just in a great place right now”.
“I’m blessed man” Ozzy says. “I’m blessed to get another opportunity. I’m blessed that I’m surrounded with a lot of great people. I’ve made a few changes to my camps – the people that are around me. I’m just surrounded with such amazing people bro. I’m blessed”.
Born and raised in Los Angeles to Guatemalan parents, Ozzy makes his highly anticipated return in his home-state of California at LFA 178, seeking a third promotional win after two sensational previous performances.
On his promotional debut at LFA 94 in 2020, Ozzy claimed a tremendous first-round stoppage of Nashville’s Logan Woods. To this day, Ozzy remains the only athlete to defeat the Tennessean across both his amateur and professional career.
At LFA 127, as the oddsmakers’ underdog, Ozzy secured the Middleweight Championship with another highlight first-round stoppage; LFA CEO Ed Soares announced Ozzy was Contender Series-bound later that night.
That victory at LFA 127 was against Brazilian Bruno Assis, who – by coincidence – competes in the main-event of LFA 178 for the Interim Light Heavyweight Championship against Uran Satybaldiev. Attesting to his authentically humble and gracious character, however, Ozzy is rooting for his former opponent in the main-event.
“I hope he gets it” Ozzy says. “I crossed paths with him when I was coaching… We talked a few times. Very good dude, very, very humble. There was no bad blood there, it was very competitive. I really hope he gets it; I think he deserves it. He’s got a family. He’s been in this sport a long time. He’s got everything checked on the list except that. I just hope he gets it. I really hope he gets it. I think everyone deserves to feel that – that accomplishment of an LFA title”.
“In those 15 minutes, or however [long] the fight lasts, it’s all business, man” Ozzy continues. “I put myself in a very dark place at that moment. After that, I don’t want to see the guys get hurt. I felt it, I know how it feels. It’s unfortunate that there has to be a loser and a winner. But that’s why it’s all love”.
Holding a 7-2 professional record, Ozzy has never gone the distance in his professional career; in fact, he has never seen the third round as a professional. Ozzy will seek his eighth professional victory – and finish – against a formidable opponent in Chuck Campbell.
Eagle-eyed enthusiasts will notice, however, that Ozzy returns at 205lbs for LFA 178, heavier than his usual middleweight. It will be the first time in his professional career that he competes at light heavyweight, having last competed at 205lbs as an amateur.
“185 [lbs] is very challenging for me” Ozzy admits. “Not impossible – I don’t want to say like it’s impossible – I can make 185 [lbs], but I know I need a good twelve weeks/three months at least of cutting, because I’m a big boy man! I spent last year trying to get as strong as possible. I knew coming out of the Pyfer fight, I just felt like I needed to get really stronger”.
Originally intending a return to competition last year, a knee injury instead presented an opportunity for Ozzy to focus his attention on bulking and building physical strength. Now returning at a heavier weight class, Ozzy has bypassed the drain of a weight cut, which by his own admission “is f*****g amazing man!”.
Make no mistake, however – middleweight remains part of the plan.
“I think I’m gonna bounce between both of them, I’m not gonna lie to you” Ozzy admits. “I have unfinished business at 185 [lbs] that’s for sure. I’m not completely done with 185 [lbs]”.
The author extends his utmost gratitude to Ozzy Diaz for making this article possible.
Image credit/source: @Ozzy_DiazMMA on X (formerly Twitter)
