Belal Muhammad's boxing coach Horacio Gutierrez not ruling out UFC return
Belal Muhammad's boxing coach would like to make a return to the UFC.
Horacio Gutierrez is getting the itch again.
Being in the corner and watching Belal Muhammad get his hand raised at a championship level last month at UFC 304 was inspiring to see – not only as his boxing coach, but also as a fellow fighter. Gutierrez (7-3), season two finalist of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, has been considering picking up the gloves and making the walk again.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and this fight with Belal motivated me a lot,” Gutierrez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Because of life situations, I had to start working and focusing on making money, but this is an addiction. I’ve been thinking about it.
“I’ve been a few years inactive, but I was doing well. I’m on a four-fight winning streak. All the wins I have, I think only one was a decision, all are knockouts, so I’m looking into it. I can’t promise you anything, but I think you do see me fight again.”
Gutierrez competed twice for the UFC – once in 2015 and the other in 2016. He was cut after losing his two bouts, but then rebounded with four consecutive wins, including a decision victory over Chris Avila. He last competed in 2019, but never hung up the gloves officially.
At 33 years old, Gutierrez thinks he’ll compete again in MMA, and he has a feeling that could lead to more fights if all goes well.
“If I fight right now, it would be just to do it,” Gutierrez said. “However, I know myself. I know that if I win, I will want more because I would have five wins in a row and who knows, maybe it gets me back into the UFC. So I can see that adrenaline returning to fight and train because I’m very competitive. But it’s just about getting in the cage once again and seeing if that fire returns.”
Being a pioneer of Mexican MMA, Gutierrez would be honored to make a comeback to the UFC at this point in time, given how much the sport has grown in his country. He knows there’s work to do for a return, but doesn’t see it as impossible.
“Of course, it would be my pleasure,” Gutierrez said regarding fighting again for the UFC. “It’s a dream to be fighting at that level. I don’t deserve it at this moment. I need to fight a few times to return, but of course, I would accept a UFC offer. Again, I don’t want to promise anything, but there’s a good chance you see me return.”