Ilay Barzilay, who is only 24 years old, is already being looked at as one of the more prominent names in lightweight. Of Israeli and Brazilian descent, he eventually relocated in its entirety to Brazil to pursue his MMA aspirations. He trained at Chute Boxe in São Paulo for a brief period but it did not pan out, and then moved on to Fighting Nerds gym. That transition, he claims, was the turning point in his career.
Training At Inside Fighting Nerds
Barzilay still recalls his first time there. “I was nervous because the level was so high, and I didn’t know anyone,” he said. Soon enough, he found those fighters to be a lot tougher and quicker than he’d envisioned. Guys like Mauricio Ruffy, now in the UFC lightweight division, and Jean Silva allowed him to observe what top-level training is.
From them, he not only learned technique but also observed how a proper professional routine should be. “I saw what UFC level really was, and what I must do to reach it,” he mentioned. That experience convinced him that the path is possible for him, as well.
Record That Tells the Story
Upon stepping into LFA 215 in Ventura, California, Barzilay had an unbeaten record of 7–0. Of those, four within the LFA cage and one by knockout finish. His opponent, Richie Miranda, was previously tested in LFA with eight victories, the majority by finish. Miranda is a nonstop pressure man who delivers heavy shots and wears down opponents with wrestling.
Where Barzilay Believes He is Ahead
Barzilay credited Miranda, describing him “an excellent athlete.” Nevertheless, he maintains the edge is in his favor. He contended his strength makes him all the more dangerous, with a genuine opportunity to finish off the bout with one shot. Regarding conditioning, he maintains his endurance just never depletes: “It’s a five-round fight… my cardio is endless.” For him, what Miranda might have to offer, he can respond with all the more ferocity.
More Than Having a Belt
To Barzilay, the LFA lightweight belt is more than the prize. He views it as a step right in line toward a UFC deal. “I’ll take the LFA belt and see what happens next. I think UFC is not far away,” he stated. That indicates his thoughts are already beyond the regional level.
Conclusion: His Next Stage is Coming
The way is straight for Barzilay. Surrounded by tough teammates, remaining unbeaten, and conditioning himself for title rounds, he sees the LFA belt as the last step before UFC. His confidence, along with striking ability and resilience, positions him as one prospect worth watching in the foreseeable future.
