UFC Mexico's Jesus Aguilar says he temporarily closed his restaurant to focus on career

MEXICO CITY – Jesus Aguilar had to make multiple sacrifices ahead of UFC Fight Night 237.

Aguilar (9-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) meets Mateus Mendonca (10-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) in a flyweight bout on Saturday’s prelims (ESPN+) at Mexico City Arena.

The 27-year-old Mexican fighter says he temporarily closed his restaurant in order to concentrate on fighting.

“It was a hard training camp. I had to move from my city. I had to close the restaurant that I have in order to focus 100 percent on the fight,” Aguilar told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at Wednesday’s media day.

“I’m really excited, and all of Mexico is going to watch me win on Saturday. … It’s going to be temporary. Probably it’s going to be closed for three to six months because I’m focused on this fight. Probably, I’m going to reopen, but I want to focus on my career. I’m on another level, and I’m going to take it seriously.”

Aguilar admits he was initially tentative to fight in Mexico City because of the altitude, but thinks it’ll have more of an impact on his opponent.

“He’s always really aggressive, but right now we’re fighting in Mexico City in the altitude,” Aguilar said. “It’s really important, and I guess if he starts the fight so aggressive, I think he’s going to get tired, probably in the second round. Of course I’m going to take advantage of that.”

Watch Aguilar’s full media day interview in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 237.