LAS VEGAS — Mando "El Toro" Gutierrez still has a bad taste in his mouth after suffering the first loss of his career.
The aftertaste, however, isn't so bad.
"This is definitely the biggest fight of my career," the Team Iridium killer says before returning to action tonight at Legacy Fighting Alliance 106 in Shawnee, OK, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass.
"This is a true test, because everybody is looking to see how I respond to my first loss. Not that I care about what anyone thinks, but if you want to perform at the highest level, you have to come back stronger each and every time regardless of results."
After a successful amateur career, Mando burst onto the professional MMA scene with four straight first-round finishes. Although a loss is obviously never the goal, he insists it was ultimately a positive experience.
"That one fight alone taught me more about not just my game and what I have to work on, but myself as a man," he says. "That was definitely a blessing in disguise."
Now, following the best training camp of his career, Mando is excited to showcase the adjustments and improvements he's made in his game. But, he's the first to admit some things never change.
"I'm gunning for the finish, as always. You know me, man; I like early nights!"
ABOUT IRIDIUM SPORTS AGENCY
Iridium Sports Agency is a full-service professional management firm. Founded in 2009 by attorney Jason House, Iridium represents more than 80 fighters in the UFC, Bellator and ProFightLeague. Iridium's team of agents is devoted to assisting athletes in all aspects of their professional lives.