Many fighters want to take a break after their latest fight. The grind of getting beaten up in a months-long training camp can make a fighter yearn for some well-deserved rest and relaxation after a grueling bout.
But not Joe Guerrero.
After his last fight, a TKO victory at Resurrection Fighting Alliance 34 in January, the bantamweight Guerrero was told by his coach that he was “working on something bigger,” Guerrero told Combat Press. That “something bigger” was a spot on the undercard of the next World Series of Fighting event on Saturday, March 12, which is also a cross-promotional fight card with Sparta Combat League.
“I put in nonstop work, and my coach believes in me,” Guerrero said. “I’m excited and happy, and breathing a sigh of relief that all my hard work is paying off.”
Guerrero is no stranger to the WSOF. He trains with current lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. The main event of Saturday’s WSOF card is a title fight between Gaethje and Brian Foster.
“I watched him grow into the champion he is today,” Guerrero said of Gaethje. “Watching him fight Luis Palomino twice made me nervous for him, but it was inspiring to see him also fight guys like [Nick] Newell and Melvin Guillard.”
Guerrero also draws inspiration from the UFC’s Conor McGregor, who unfortunately came up short and was submitted by Nate Diaz at UFC 196 last week. Guerrero is also a fan of both Nate and his brother Nick, and he said McGregor “knows who to target and how to target them.”
Guerrero’s fight on the WSOF undercard is against Dylan Stubblefield, who sports a record of 5-4 and won his last fight with a second-round knockout. Guerrero describe Stubblefield as “a stand-up guy who works hard. You don’t fight nine amateur fights without putting in work.”
“I’m going to take what he gives me,” Guerrero added. “I have no real game plan, because once the door closes, that goes out the window. Now it’s a fight.”
As part of his evolution as a mixed martial artists, Guerrero competed in a kickboxing match at GLORY 24 last year. Unfortunately, Guerrero came up on the short end of a unanimous decision loss to Robert Fraterelli.
“It was an amazing experience,” Guerrero said of his GLORY bout. “Not many amateurs can say they’ve fought for GLORY.”
With his background in wrestling, Guerrero considered it a “big accomplishment” to compete in kickboxing. If he choses to compete in the sport again, it won’t be as a professional, but as an amateur.
For now, Guerrero’s full focus is on the WSOF and his upcoming bout with Stubblefield. He signed a professional contact with the WSOF.
“I believe I’ll stay with them for as long as they’ll have me,” he said.