Manchester Top Team’s Ateba Gautier, who is vying for his UFC debut this weekend, has revealed that he is grateful for tasting defeat early in his career.
Gautier has attained multiple notable victories in his young career, highlighting his progression.
The lone loss in his professional career came in the form of a split decision in his second contest against Glenn Williams at Budo Fighting Championship, in July 2022.
Speaking exclusively to MancSport, when asked if the decision going against him bothered him, Gautier said:
“I feel like I won this fight, but I’m happy to have lost the fight because that is my inspiration for me. Now I know how someone can feel when they lose the fight, because of their ego. High ego.
“You have to always be humble. Always take every single opponent like yourself, or more than yourself. So you can work more harder. Never take an opponent like a kid, like a baby.
“See, this loss, now I can laugh about this one. For me, oh my god, I can do better than this. This happens, and also it is a big lesson for me.
“I’m not ashamed to have lost this fight. I’m happy because this is my inspiration. That’s me.”
Ateba Gautier’s MMA career
Gautier is slated to take on Bolivian Jose Medina, having earned himself a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in September last year.
The contract was awarded in the wake of a dominant performance, that saw the Cameroonian leave a beaten Yura Naito, on the canvas.
A kickboxer by trade, Gautier always aims to finish his contests. Prior to his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, the 22-year-old competed in numerous promotions.
His stellar display at Full Contact Contender 33 in Liverpool against Yu-Joe Lewis Lai, earned him widespread recognition within the landscape of British MMA.
With his UFC debut beckoning, Gautier looks to make a statement. Watch UFC on ESPN: Morenco vs Erceg at UFC Mexico this Saturday!
