One of the most difficult tasks for an athlete who has reached the top in any sport is to stay there. After losing his championship belt, Jose “El Pochito” Alday is looking to climb back up to the top in his next fight in “Combate Americas: Tucson Unbreakable, presented by Cricket Wireless”, as the main event against Juan “El Molo “Gonzalez, on June 7 in Arizona.

Alday defeated Gustavo Lopez in their first bantamweight title fight, winning by split decision last September. In their highly anticipated rematch, Lopez won handily, via first round TKO, and thereby the Combate Americas’s 135 title. It was Alday’s first defeat since March 2017, and the first loss by knockout in his entire career.

While some might expect Alday’s performance and morale to suffer, the Aztec fighter plans to fight his way back to another chance at the title, even more forcefully than before.

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“It’s almost time to make that walk again”, said Alday in a recent post on Instagram. “And it’s truly beautiful doing what you love. Especially when you have your team behind you taking care of your”.

Alday, who trains with renowned former MMA fighter, Chris Cariaso, has already completed his training camp and is on his way to this weekend’s bout.

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The Mexican fighter has an impressive 12-4-1 record, and managed to get an 8-fight winning streak since his debut in 2013 until 2015, with five finishes. Within Combate Americas, he has represented Mexico 4 times, and after only two fights inside the company, he managed to win the title. This will be the 5th time Alday defends Mexico’s flag, something in which he takes great pride.

“I will always represent my country, [Mexico],” Alday said about his Mexican-American identity. “But this Country has given me so many opportunities, someone once told me to be a grateful/thankful, person,above all! Love this country USA.”

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One of the things that sets Jose Alday apart is his dedication and perseverance both inside and outside of  “La Jaula.” He began his MMA training as an immigrant in America, and he never lost sight of his goal, even when he was deported to Mexico. Now, facing Gonzalez, an Argentine fighter hungry for a win, Alday has the opportunity to remind his fans why he was a champion in the first place.

Gonzalez, came to Combate Americas with a 6-0 record, but lost two in a row, the first to Kevin Garcia, where he took the fight on short notice, and second against Mario Bautista. The Argentine is looking for his first victory in the promotion, and what better way of doing it than defeating a former champion.

Drawing strength from everything he has been through, “El Pochito” feels confident that he will leave with the victory next Friday at El Casino del Sol, in Tucson, Arizona, the very same place where he lost his belt. “Now comes the dessert, the hard work has already been done”, said Alday today.

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“Combate Americas: Tucson Unbreakable, presented by Cricket Wireless” will be broadcast for the United States in Spanish on Univision (12 am ET / PT) and UDN (12 am ET / 9 pm PT), and in English for the United States and Canada on DAZN (10 pm ET / 7 pm PT).