UNCASVILLE, Conn. — [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] went through Bellator 243 fight week with a heavy heart, as the Lebanese-American competitor learned of the explosion which killed nearly 150 people and injured thousands in the Middle Eastern country’s capital of Beirut.
But he also used it as motivation. Homasi (14-8 MMA, 3-2 BMMA), who still has family over in Lebanon, fired on all cylinders in his main card catchweight matchup against Curtis Millender as he earned a unanimous decision victory with scores of 29-28 across the board.
After the bout, Homasi dedicated the victory to the people of his family’s homeland as they put the pieces back together following the devastating events of the last few days.
“For all the people in Lebanon, this victory was for you,” Homasi told reporters, including MMA Junkie. “The (expletive) tragedy that happened over there, you know? And I’m just happy my family is safe and I’m sorry for all the people who did lose loved ones or got affected by it.”
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The 31-year old American Top Team welterweight has now won three consecutive fights, and feels like he’s just reaching the point where he’s getting his game together.
“I’ve been in this sport a very long time and, as I’m getting older, I’m putting it together, said Homasi, who indicated he’d like to fight Paul Daley next. “In the beginning of my career, I wouldn’t say I was my record was (expletive). I had a rough road in the beginning. I have the physical ability, I just wasn’t putting it together properly. I reached a certain age where it just clicked for me. Everything just changed.”
Homasi said he plans on auctioning off his fight kit through Dustin Poirier’s “Good Fight Foundation,” with proceeds going toward Lebanon’s recovery efforts.
Bellator 243 was held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. It aired on Paramount and streamed on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
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