It’s not typically a regional fighter declines a number of UFC affords, however that’s precisely what high prospect Losene Keita did earlier than signing a brand new deal to stick with Europe-based promotion Oktagon MMA.
The 26-year-old fighter, who moved to Belgium from Guinea when he was only a boy, at all times dreamed of shining underneath the brightest lights within the UFC. It’s a fantasy he nonetheless hopes to meet sooner or later, however Keita simply didn’t really feel the time was proper when the UFC got here calling.
“Oktagon is sort of a house for me,” Keita informed MMA Preventing. “Oktagon gave me lots of possibilities and the followers love me and I’m very fashionable there. For me, the UFC was my first possibility, however I’m like, why ought to I depart my house to go someplace else?
“I’m 26 years outdated, I’ve a very good file, I’m nonetheless studying on a regular basis. I can nonetheless have lots of expertise earlier than going to the UFC. I by no means say the UFC dream is completed, however for me, Oktagon is now my house and I’m comfortable there.”
Keita admits it’s unattainable for cash to not play some half in the place he fights, however it’s not the one think about his resolution to stay with Oktagon over the UFC. Whereas he actually appreciates that the UFC sees him as an asset price a number of affords, Keita felt like Oktagon actually understood his worth to the group.
Keita is presently the featherweight and light-weight champion of Oktagon.
“[UFC tried to sign me] 3 times already,” Keita revealed. “It doesn’t occur, however I don’t suppose lots of fighters are in my footwear. That’s why it doesn’t occur [very often]. I’m getting paid and I’m getting paid nicely in Oktagon. I’m one of many largest stars there.
“Going to the UFC, preventing for $12,000 [to show] and $12,000 [to win] or $15,000 and $15,000 is loopy. I do know the UFC is the most important group and I do know my price. In Oktagon, they know my price, they respect my price. That’s it.”
Maybe the closest instance of one other athlete choosing a route much like the one Keita travels now’s present UFC star Paddy Pimblett, who additionally turned down a number of affords from the promotion earlier than lastly signing there as a free agent in 2021.
Pimblett overtly acknowledged that he wished extra time to develop his sport and really feel actually prepared for the competitors he’d face within the UFC. The choice appeared to work out nicely for him; Pimblett is undefeated in 5 UFC appearances and has develop into one of many promotion’s largest names over the previous couple of years.
Keita understands the comparisons he’ll get to Pimblett as a result of they each handed on UFC affords, however he guarantees they couldn’t be additional aside exterior of that lone similarity.
“I do know if I’m going to the UFC, I don’t need to be a contender. I need to be the champ,” Keita stated. “I need to be a double champion within the UFC. It’s not the time but to go to the UFC. I’m studying on a regular basis. I’ve been six or seven years in MMA, I’m nonetheless younger, so now isn’t the time. Additionally, financially, it’s not the time.
“I’m not boastful however I’m assured. I may be within the UFC proper now and be within the high 10. Paddy, I might beat him within the first spherical proper now truly. I’m prepared [for the UFC]. The primary time [UFC reached out], they gave me an opponent, I already had the date, every little thing, however financially I really feel nice in Oktagon, it’s my house. I stroll on the road and all people is aware of me. I’m going to the UFC, I’m no person there but. I do know that may change fast, however I’m hooked up to the followers of Oktagon so I don’t need to change that but.”
Keita says he additionally handed on a proposal from PFL to hitch the corporate’s featherweight season, the place eight fighters compete for the possibility to win a $1 million grand prize.
As a lot as he appreciates the curiosity, Keita commends Oktagon for placing up that very same sum of money for their very own light-weight event, which matches down Saturday in Germany. Keita is, after all, part of that event.
“Probably the most attention-grabbing one was truly PFL, as a result of PFL wished me within the $1 million featherweight event,” Keita defined. “It’s a fantastic deal truly. However I stated I can win 1,000,000 there or I can win 1,000,000 right here, however one place I’m house and one different place I’m not house.”
Keita is aware of there’s danger hooked up to staying in Oktagon slightly than simply taking the provide to hitch the UFC. He already confronted that sort of adversity in his solely skilled loss after Keita broke his leg in a combat again in July 2023, which serves as the one defeat on his file.
He bounced again slightly rapidly with a knockout win this previous December, and now Keita is laser targeted on the light-weight event beginning for him on Saturday.
Keita expects the UFC will finally search him out once more, and if the time is correct, he’ll clearly hearken to the provide. However for now, he’s comfortable listening to his identify being chanted by 20,000 rabid followers nearer to house.
“Think about a child from the road, strolling into an enviornment with 20,000 folks screaming your identify. It’s loopy,” Keita stated. “So think about going to PFL now and I must stroll out and no person is aware of me. I do know I can change that round rapidly, however I don’t need to do this to the followers.
“Each time I see the followers chanting my identify, there’s only a feeling strolling into the world with 20,000 folks screaming your identify, it’s simply loopy.”
