Kyler Phillips explains why he holds no resentment for controversial first UFC loss

HOUSTON – Kyler Phillips insists he isn’t harboring any resentment following a controversial decision loss in his last outing. If anything, “Matrix” says he’s grateful for the result.

“I’ve been just getting better,” Phillips said of his time since the July setback. “That was a perfect opportunity for me to grow, get more focus, and I’m really glad it happened.”

Phillips faced Raulian Paiva in that contest, nearly finishing him in the first round before the Brazilian rallied over the final 10 minutes. While the first round seemed a clear 10-8 in Phillips favor, only Sal D’Amato awarded that score, with Eric Colon and Chris Lee going with 10-9, instead. That meant Paiva was awarded a majority decision win rather than a draw, which is how 14 of 16 media scores tracked by MMADecisions.com had the result.

Still, Phillips said there’s no reason to concern himself with any potential controversy.

“I have no resentment for anything,” Phillips said. “I’m here right now – like, I’m literally right here, and I’m able to do this as my job. I love this. I’ve been working my whole life to do this, and there’s no resentment. I’m just grateful to be able to do this, and you guys are going to see that this is what I’m made for and this is what I like to do.”

Phillips (9-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) returns to action at Saturday’s UFC 271 event at Toyota Center when he takes on fellow bantamweight Marcelo Rojo (16-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC). The bout holds a featured slot on the evening’s pay-per-view main card, and Phillips said he’s expecting to prove victorious.

“He’s another dude in the way that is willing to fight,” Phillips said. “Tough dude. He’s got some skills – also has got some weaknesses, and we’re going to expose those.”

Prior to the setback, Phillips was gaining momentum as a top prospect in an increasingly deep bantamweight division. An impressive win could certainly start that talk again, especially on the big platform of a pay-per-view main card. But Phillips said he’s not allowing himself to worry about things of that nature. Instead, he’s entirely focused on being 100 percent present, physically and mentally, on Saturday night.

“It’s just being aware of every moment,” Phillips said. “We all have that. We can choose to make any type of situation work for us or work against us, whether that’s thoughts, whether that’s physical on the outside, ut on the inside, we’re being renewed every single day. We keep growing that factor, that muscle, faith in your mind that you start to build and over time, like what’s next? Whatever comes after me, I’m going to just make the best out of it.

“What can we make the best out of this moment? And that’s just by being here, not by the past. The past is the past. Not being apprehensive of the future, but just being right here, being able to enjoy it and taking what is rightfully ours, you know?”

To see the full interview with Phillips, check out the video above.