UFC's Guido Cannetti inspired by Lionel Messi, Argentina's World Cup win: 'The best year of my life'
Guido Cannetti’s 2022 was like none other.
The Argentine fighter, who returns to the octagon this Saturday against Mario Bautista at UFC Fight Night 221, was able to save his spot on the UFC roster and revive his MMA career in dramatic fashion. Standing as the oldest bantamweight on the UFC roster at 43 years of age, Cannetti (10-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) defied the expectations of many.
Entering 2022, Cannetti was on a three-fight losing streak and 1-4 in his past five bouts, with the lone win dating back to 2018. It was far from an ideal circumstance. Yet, Cannetti firmly believed that he had more to give, even in his 40’s, and that he did.
He blasted Kris Moutinho with a series of shots to earn a first-round TKO in March 2022, and then returned in October to quickly submit Randy Costa just over a minute into their fight. The submission over Costa earned Cannetti a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
“I’m so happy with the moment that I’m going through right now,” Cannetti told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I’m coming off two consecutive wins, but for me three, because I believe I beat Mana Martinez.”
But the 2022 ride didn’t stop there. Outside the MMA world, Guido witnessed the Argentine men’s national soccer team become world champions, winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December. That, for any Argentine, was priceless.
“It was a moment that made me very happy because of the players and Messi who had been fighting for it,” Cannnetti said. “Everything would go wrong for Messi and everyone was criticizing him. I think I went through something similar. It’s like I just won Copa America, and now I’m going for the World Cup. It’s something very similar.
“You put in all the effort and do everything so that things work out, but they don’t and that’s a very strange feeling. You stick to your guns and say to yourself that you’re never giving up, but at some point, you think, ‘Man, what is going on? Why aren’t things working out?’ So it’s very similar and the vibe and energy is now on our side.
“I feel great and I’m very happy. I’m enjoying things a lot more than before. Remember the interviews we had before where I would cry, and I was just in a terrible moment because of everything that I was going through. This past 2022 was the best year of my life. I achieved everything that I wanted, and I’m at the happiest moment. I feel ready for what’s to come. Win or lose, I know that I’m going to give my best. I feel ready to put on a show, and I feel great as a fighter and as a person.”
As an Argentine athlete, Cannetti takes much inspiration from Lionel Messi and in many ways identifies with him. Messi struggled for many years to achieve trophies for the national team, in contrast to his club-level success. To many, it was puzzling to see a high-level player underperform for the national team.
Cannetti feels the same happened to his career.
“I felt very identified by Messi,” Cannetti said. “I saw it in Messi’s face, not knowing what more could he do to win. I was going through the same situation. I think when you relax, look within, and try to look at it from an outsider’s perspective, you can understand certain things that allow you to click and have everything unfold how it’s supposed to unfold.
“That happened to me last year and to the national soccer team. The truth is that it was an incredible year. The best year of my life, by far.”
Winning the World Cup was something Cannetti will never forget. It fills him with pride to see Messi and the rest of the squad bring back the World Cup trophy to Argentina. He’s hoping that he can continue that streak for his country, but this time in the octagon.
“It was a magical December, and what a way to close out the year,” Cannetti said. “I hope that this year is even better for me. Maybe I can get in the rankings or fight for the title at some point.”