Octagon Newcomer Buddy Roberts Nearly Called It a Career Before UFC Offer

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- As recently as November, Buddy Roberts put serious thought into giving up the dream.

A former all-conference Division III defensive end at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, Roberts figured he could put his college degree to use in the traditional nine-to-five scene, perhaps working for the railroad.

“I wasn't quite sure exactly what I'd be doing. I'd start off as a hand and work my way up. I'm a good 'ole boy; I feel like I can do everything,” he said.

Mixed martial arts as a career had gone reasonably well for Roberts, who, like many modern fighters, developed an interest in the sport from watching episodes of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He began his training under Ken Shamrock at the Lion's Den, where he admittedly had no idea how to execute a basic takedown when he began. Eventually, Roberts would capture titles in the Cage Combat Fighting Championships and Art of Fighting promotions, dropping from heavyweight to light heavyweight in the process. He also relocated to Nevada MMA in Reno, Nev.

Seeking to take his career to the next level, Roberts moved his camp to Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts in January of last year. In July, he added a signature win to his resume, besting former King of the Cage multi-divisional champion Tony Lopez in the main event of the Jackson’s MMA Series 5. Then, he waited.

“You keep fighting and fighting [without] even talks of the big show,” Roberts said. “I want things in life, and I wasn't getting it with fighting. I love fighting, and I love doing what I do, but it was just frustrating.”

Trainer Greg Jackson, who has seen more than a few fighters come and go over the years, didn't attempt to influence Roberts' decision.

“I don't try to sway anybody from anything,” Jackson said. “I just try to help them out as much as I can. I'm not some behind-the-scenes guy playing with people's lives. I just try to give them opportunities and let them make their own decisions.”

It wasn't until the first week of January that Roberts got a call from his manager with an invitation to compete for the world’s largest promotion. On Feb. 15, Roberts will make his Octagon -- and middleweight -- debut against Sean Loeffler at UFC on Fuel “Ellenberger vs. Sanchez” at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb.

“He called me right before I went to bed, so I didn't sleep much that night,” Roberts said. “It wasn't a surprise to me, because it was supposed to happen. That's why I train, and that's what I set out to do.”

“I feel great at [185],” he added. “My cardio's great and my weight's already down. I'm right on track. I haven't been under 200 pounds since I was in high school.”

Loeffler, a 29-year old native of Hermosa Beach, Calif., has finished 24 of his 25 victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. In his lone appearance with the Bellator Fighting Championships, Loeffler was stopped by Season 6 welterweight quarterfinalist Bryan Baker in the opening round.

Meanwhile, Roberts, who was sick when he defeated Lopez in July, believes he has room to improve upon that showing.

“It definitely wasn't my best performance -- I fought through it and got the win,” he said. “It doesn't matter what my last fight looked like, it's what I'm going to do this fight in the UFC. I plan on staying there quite a while. I'm a way better fighter than I showed that night.”

While friends and family predictably flooded his voicemail and Facebook page with congratulatory wishes, Roberts said he didn't hear from Shamrock, his original mentor.

“I haven't talked to Ken in a few years. I think maybe [there were] a little hard feelings [about] me leaving,” Roberts said. “He felt like he did a lot for me, and he did. He helped me get my start. To get where I am today, I had to leave. No call or anything, but it's OK -- he's a good guy and he's doing other things. I know he's focused on his sons fighting.”