Looking at a return to the cage later this year, Marco “Machete” Viedas is slowly easing back into life at home after a month in Montreal.
Through June, Viedas trained at the famed Tri-Star Gym in Montreal, home to UFC stars like Georges St. Pierre, Jon Jones, Kenny Florian, Miguel Torres and Rory MacDonald, who was part of what many are calling the “fight of the year” at UFC 189.
Viedas added a lot of new tools to his ever-growing mixed martial arts (MMA) arsenal.
“It’s an amazing atmosphere,” Viedas said. “You take a look at the place and on the outside, it doesn’t look like anything. It’s in a neighbourhood that doesn’t look all that great and there’s not much to it.”
“As soon as you step inside, you’re blown away. I couldn’t believe how amazing it was. There are just so many things, from the equipment to the coaches and fighters, that are there to help you get better.”
Viedas spent his time at Tri-Star learning new techniques and how to use them. While his fellow fighters spent time sparring, Viedas had to sit that out due to a concussion two weeks earlier.
“It was terrible timing,” Viedas said. “It happened to me while I was training here before I left. I just got caught with an accidental blow to the back of the head and it stunned me but I didn’t really think much of it.”
“I went back out to train again and that’s when it really made me stop and think that there might be something wrong. Sure enough, it was a concussion. So I missed out on getting to spar while I was there but I was still able to learn a lot.”
Viedas will slowly make the transition back into sparring back home in Parksville and he will continue to take precautions to heal before resuming full training.
“I don’t want to have a relapse,” Viedas said. “I’m not sparring yet and I’m doing everything that I can to make sure that I stay as safe as I possibly can so that I can heal up and get back to 100 per cent health before I start sparring again.”
In the meantime, Viedas continues to work on the things he learned in Montreal and he’s excited to use his new abilities when he steps back in the cage for Battlefield Fight League.
“I can’t wait,” Viedas said. “It’s one of those things where you’re so excited to get back to it but I just have to be patient.”
“I’ve learned so much and I can already visualize everything I’m going to add in to my MMA game already and I’m just really pumped for that time to come when I can find another fight and show what I’ve learned in the cage.”