Though he was only able to get in one fight in 2016, it was momentous enough for featherweight Kevin Aguilar that it made for a very good year.
“It was really exciting I got the call to fight for the (Legacy FC) title against Tony Kelley, and he came to fight,” Aguilar told MMAWeekly.com. “It turned out to be one of the best fights of the year. I’m glad to have come out with the win and given the crowd a great show.
“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to become a champ, and now I’ve achieved become the champ, everyone is headhunting for me. That’s even better. I want the best fighters want to track me down and fighter. That’s why we become champions: to fight the best fighters and become the best fighter.”
One fight that Aguilar was supposed to have in 2016 that didn’t happen due to him suffering a back injury, was a scheduled bout against Damon Jackson in October. Since then Jackson has made it a point to finally get that match to happen.
“Honestly, the bad blood thing that (Jackson) keeps talking about doesn’t really affect me,” said Aguilar. “He got beat up from a guy (in Levi Mowles) who got ready on two weeks’ notice. He wants to put the blame on me and whatnot, that’s silly.
“I didn’t want to back out of the fight, but now he gets his wish, and I get my wish, and we get to square off. That’s all we have to do is go in there and throw down.”
On Friday, Aguilar (11-1) defends his 145-pound title against Jackson (11-1-1) in the main event of Legacy Fighting Alliance 4 in Bossier City, La.
“I have to stay away from his wrestling and ground,” Aguilar said of Jackson. “My striking is way better than his, so all I have to do is stay away from his quick shots and catch him with a punch coming in or keep him on the outside; stay on the outside and not let him get in, get close and get the takedown.”
Now that he’s achieved his goal of becoming a champion, Aguilar has his mind set towards becoming recognized as one of the best featherweight fighters in the world in 2017.
“(The goal is) to keep climbing the ladder,” said Aguilar. “It’s a never ending ladder of success and failure. I just want to keep climbing to the top as far as I can, as far as my legs and body will take me.”
