Robert Valentin drew motivation from mother’s death for first UFC triumph

Robert Valentin felt he just couldn’t lose at UFC Winnipeg. 

Valentin (11-6) took on Canadian debutant Julien Leblanc (10-3) in a middleweight bout at the Canada Life Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on Saturday. Valentin looked for his first UFC win, having lost all three of his previous fights in the promotion. However, Valentin didn’t let the pressure get to him this time, unlike in his previous fights. “Robzilla” also had the added motivation to win for his late mother, who passed away last November. The Swiss fighter scored a first-round submission win over Leblanc to make his mother proud.

“I had all of this pressure and it led me to not enjoying the moment,” he told the UFC. “I went back to having fun with my everyday workouts and being around people. And another big thing that motivated me is the passing of my mom. I just know that she’s watching and she’s proud of me not matter what. I couldn’t lose today… I know momma’s up there watching and she’s so proud.”

Backed by a Team

Valentin also thanked his coach, Dewey Cooper, who took him under his wing without any questions. Valentin now feels that he has a team behind him at Xtreme Couture who really wants him to win.

“I’m so happy that I found coach Dewey because he just picked me up,” Valentin said. “He didn’t even know where I am, what I am, who I am. He just was like, ‘You approached me, you have good hands, let’s just get to work together.’ And we put in so much hours and so much work. And he gave me the feeling that I’m not alone, I’m with a team, someone that believes in me and truly wants me to win.”