Daniel Barez has been chasing the UFC dream for a long time. So long that he was starting to grapple with the idea that it may never come true.
For many years, Barez (16-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has been one of the main standout fighters to come out of Spain. After a decade of professional fighting with many ups and downs over the span of 21 bouts, Barez finally got the call to fight in the UFC. He’ll be making his debut in the octagon this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 224 in London against Jafel Filho (14-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), and he’s almost in disbelief that it’s finally happening.
“Yes, yes, of course, I remember like it was yesterday,” Barez told MMA Junkie in Spanish when asked about the moment he got the news that he was in the UFC. “I was in Phuket with my girlfriend, totally on vacation. We had been there for 10 days, and we were already about to go back. I was on my phone around 1 a.m., and I don’t know why I was up so late because I go to sleep early. So my manager called, and I was like, what does he want now? What’s he going to tell me? He’s going to play once again with my feelings? Because I was called twice before to fight (in the UFC) but we weren’t able to make it happen.
“So I answer, and he laughs and goes, ‘You’re in,’ and I’m like, ‘Wait what?’ I couldn’t believe it, I couldn’t process it. That night I couldn’t sleep. I mean, sh*t, this is my lifelong dream, and he just drops it like that out of nowhere, it shocks you a bit until you’re able to process it.”
Barez is no rookie. He made his professional debut in 2012 and has a wealth of experience. Barez has fought in many respectable regional promotions such as Combate Global, UAE Warriors, BAMMA Ultimate Warrior Challenge, and others.
In 2021, Barez had put together a sturdy record of 11-4, which was topped by a six-fight winning streak.
It was then that he got the call to show his skills on Dana White’s Contender Series, but unfortunately lost to Carlos Hernandez in a split decision. He continued fighting and got four consecutive wins, all coming by stoppage.
Throughout that process, Barez had several failed attempts to jump in and take short-notice fights. Add the past loss on Contender Series and being a 34-year-old flyweight, and Barez was starting to see his UFC dream dwindle. So much so that he was thinking about retirement.
“I would see it further and further every time,” Barez said. “Contender Series and didn’t get it. A call and didn’t get it. Another call and didn’t get in. In the end, if it comes great, if it doesn’t, what are you going to do?
“Everyone would tell me, ‘You’re going to get in for sure. Stay patient.’ But was a bit tired because I would get close and hear things, but it would never materialize. … So, I was unmotivated a bit, which is a normal reaction. And even then, I would still be working hard and believing in it. Many people, after a failed Contender Series fight get down because it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. But I think that gave me even more strength. I evolved as a fighter and a person, and look where I’m at.”
Barez will accomplish a lifelong dream this Saturday. However, even though this was all he envisioned, he knows he’s got more in than tank than just to make it to the UFC. Barez wants to do big things at flyweight.
“Super, super, mega thankful because this easily couldn’t have happened after everything that I’ve put into this,” Barez said. “I know a lot of people deserve this because there’s a lot of 125ers that are good, but they’re giving the opportunity to me. They’ve seen me and know that I’m right there.
“Also, all the work of my manager and my team. It’s a team effort from many ends. I’ve invested too much time and money into this. So when they just give you the news out of nowhere, sh*t, it’s hard to process. It’s a mix of excitement and happiness. I’m accomplishing a dream because my dream was to fight in the UFC regardless of the result. Now I have to put new goals because I can’t be satisfied with just this. I am happy that I was able to reach an objective that I put in my life. I’ve been doing this for a long time. It’s a feeling of happiness and emotion, nerves and pressure because it’s UFC.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.
Spanish standout Daniel Barez recalls getting long-awaited UFC call: ‘I couldn’t believe it’
