As a kickboxer, Ilias Bulaid was very successful with, among other things, several world titles. His ceiling was getting closer and in 2018 he opted for a new challenge: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). The 29-year-old Bosschenaar, who works as a youth worker during the day, is still undefeated and ready for the next step. “The UFC is the highest stage, it is a matter of time before I go there.”
In his youth in a Bossche Volkswijk, Ilias said he was a rotkind. “I checked all the boxes to go in the wrong direction. I was too busy and too energetic, but luckily I had the right guidance within our family at what I had and should not do. Thanks to my family I was sent in the right direction and I have the discipline and mindset developed to get everything out of life. ”
“If I can make the difference for them, that’s great.”
Because he saw with his own eyes that many other young people do not have the right examples in their immediate environment, he founded the Jeugdkracht Brabant company. With this he supports young people and parents/guardians. “I want to be an example for young people and help them with different problems. If I can make the difference for them, then that’s great. “
“I got the feeling that I also want to be the best in this.”
His work is important for Ilias, but his greatest passion is martial arts. As a kickboxer he took title after title, but in 2018 he chose MMA. “I had fought for almost all major organizations and achieved a lot what I wanted. MMA triggered me as a new challenge. I trained at the gym of Conor McGregor and fell in love with the sport. Immediately I got the feeling that I also want to be the best in this. “
Ilias, who was a fan of Badr Hari in his youth, knew that he needed a lot of time to be able to fight competitions. “I really felt a beginner the first period. As a kickboxer you are only busy stairs and bumps, with MMA there were also groundwork. That requires something completely different from your body. It was clear that it would be a lot of investment, but I knew that I would also be at the top here. “
Because of Corona, he was unable to fight for a long time and, to make matters worse, he then suffered a wrist injury. When he had recovered, he tore off his front cruciate ligament. Ilias did not give up, fought back after a long rehabilitation and now stands at seven professional parties, which he all won winning. The last game last weekend he won very convincingly against Kewin Jacques.
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“I always want to win, but also provide a spectacle. People who come and see I want to give the feeling that they have seen something abnormal. That motivates me to always go full. Every day I train hard to become a better fighter and don’t give myself room to renounce. I do everything to not get into the position that I am losing. “
“The people shout for my name.”
His next goal is clear. “The UFC would like me. The people scream for my name and my manager has good contacts. I am very close and then I also want to show that I am the best. ”
