By Phil Wong (@philwong6470)
A freelance journalist and cannabis blogger for Cannabis.Wiki.
As a journalist, I have amazing opportunities of interviewing some world class athletes’ who are open-minded forward thinkers. One memorable interview was with the Bellator Middleweight Championship belt holder Rafael Lovato Jr., the guy is a class act. When you think how crazy MMA can be with the likes of Conor McGregor and his shenanigans, it really drags down the sport, so I was surprised to meet the exact opposite.
I was shocked when I heard Rafael Lovato Jr. had to retire the Bellator Middleweight belt due to a brain condition. Crazy as I had the pleasure of meeting him last summer. I was fortunate enough do a photo shoot and interview Rafael Lovato Jr. on two occasions, including once on the Dean Blundell Podcast (Episode #136). He has just won the belt this summer and was in town with a friend of mine for a BJJ training demonstration with his coach Mauricio Veio of Evolucao Thai MMA, Toronto.
Meeting Rafael Lovato Jr. for the first time was really cool, because he’s such a big intimidating guy, the guy is nothing but pure muscle but once you shake his hand you know the guy is a true gentleman and ambassador to the sport.
Obviously Rafael Lovato Jr. was raised with a lot of respect for his father, trainers and mentors; you can tell Rafael has nothing but great respect for the traditions of this sport. His family also has some ties with some of the big names in BJJ. It was really cool to hear some of those old family stories.
It was a sad thing to hear Rafael Lovato Jr. vacate the belt, as I was looking forward to following his Bellator fighting career. However, Rafael Lovato Jr. is a true fighter, and I am sure we will see him in some capacity in the MMA world. He brings a lot of respect and does the sport of MMA a great tribute, so I think it’s just a matter of time before we see him once again on top.
Check out my other interview with Jimmy the Prince (IG@jimmy_theprince) as he chats with Rafael Lovato Jr. (IG@lovatojrbjj) and Mauricio Veio (IG@evolucaothai).
A Class Act – Rafael Lovato Jr.
By Phil Wong (@philwong6470)
Check out my other interview with Jimmy the Prince (IG@jimmy_theprince) as he chats with Rafael Lovato Jr. (IG@lovatojrbjj) and Mauricio Veio (IG@evolucaothai).