Late replacement Hector Fajardo confident heading into Combate Americas 56

Since turning pro in October, 2018, bantamweight Hector Fajardo has found the consistency he lacked when he was an amateur.

Having gone through stretches of multiple wins and losses as an amateur, Fajardo has managed to stay on the winning track as a pro, picking up wins in all three of his fights.

“My first year as a pro starting off I was a little bit nervous, because for me it’s all about building up the momentum, and I had a pretty back and forth amateur career, so starting off on the right foot was really important,” Fajardo told MMAWeekly.com.

“I haven’t had any shortage of tough opponents. Everybody has been quality. I’m ready to make another statement and continuing that momentum I have right now.”

A part of what has helped Fajardo find consistency has been his development over the course of his year plus as a pro.

“I think I’m a much more complete fighter,” said Fajardo. “I had every skill down pretty well, but what I missed was being able to blend it all together.

“Before I was a pretty good striker, pretty good off my back, and more or less pretty good in the clinch, and I needed to up my wrestling game. I think I’ve addressed all of that during my pro time, and shown that. I think I’ve addressed all of that during my pro time, and shown that.”

On Friday in Fresno, Calif., Fajardo (3-0) steps in as a late replacement to face Shane Torres (2-0) in a preliminary 135-pound bout at Combate Americas 56.

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“He’s a good grappler and a tough, durable, fighter,” Fajardo said of Torres. “For me it’s more to make it a mixed martial arts fight rather than treat it like a grappling match.

“I think I’m more well-versed than he is in blending my skills and am more well-rounded. I just have to be the smarter fighter, react appropriately, and utilize my strengths.”

For 2020 Fajardo is looking to be a bit more active than he has been in the past and continue to move forward with the consistency he’s established in the pro ranks.

“I only fought twice in 2019 and that was a bother to me,” said Fajardo. “I definitely didn’t like that. The goal is to get at least double the amount of fights in 2020.

“I’m looking at events every two to three months, and if I’m healthy I’m looking to fight as consistently as possible and make this run. I think the short term goals build to the long term goals. Fighting as often as I can I’ll end up where I need to end up.”