Tag: Gaston Reyno

ESPN Deportes commentator Gaston Reyno enamored with BKFC: ‘It made me feel alive’

Following a successful BKFC debut, Gaston Reyno is enamored with bareknuckle boxing.

[autotag]Gaston Reyno[/autotag] finally has returned to competition, and he is stoked.

The Uruguayan MMA fighter turned combat sports commentator for ESPN Deportes made his long-awaited comeback this past Friday when he fought on the main card of BKFC KnuckleMania 3 in Albuquerque, N.M.

Reyno, who was debuting in bareknuckle boxing, beat Daniel Vansickle by first-round TKO. It was his first fight since December 2019.

“I realized that I missed this a ton,” Reyno told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “It made me feel alive. I always hated the weight cuts. When the day came that I needed to get into the sauna or the hot tub, I would say, ‘No, no, no. I don’t want to. I don’t want to.’ But this time, I was putting on the cream myself to get into the sauna, and I was happy. I thought, ‘How lucky I am to be doing this again.’

“And don’t get me started about going into the arena, being at the fighter’s meeting with that silence that you can cut through with a knife, the weigh-in, the staredown, the support from the people. It was all incredible. I enjoyed every single second of it. It’s true that I’m passionate about commentating combat sports and all that, but there’s truly nothing like fighting. That’s what I enjoy the most.”

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“Tonga” wasn’t sure about his future in bareknuckle boxing going into KnuckleMania 3. He had it on his bucket list to see what is like to fight bareknuckle, but nothing beyond that. However, after a successful camp and debut, Reyno is eager to do it again.

“I’ll be back,” Reyno said. “They already offered me something, and we’re going to chat once I get to Miami. I truly enjoyed this. I felt great. I didn’t know what it was like to strike bareknuckle or get hit, but my body is good. Maybe my hands are a little swollen, especially the left one, but they say that it’s normal, and it’s starting to go away. I have nothing broken and I’m good.”

Reyno recently turned 36 and knows his time competing at his highest potential is limited. That’s why he wants to stay ready and fight as much as possible in the next few years. Reyno will continue under the BKFC banner, but the Bellator and Combate Global veteran hasn’t forgotten about his roots.

“I feel like fighting again and generating that buzz not only in Uruguay, but Latin America, has opened the doors for me with other organizations. I haven’t negotiated anything, but I got several messages from several matchmakers congratulating me. That’s how this business works. You’re only as good as your last fight, and if you’re not fighting, you’re not good. So I think this can open opportunities. I’m open to it all.”

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Gaston Reyno, ex-Bellator fighter and Spanish-language UFC commentator, signs with BKFC

Former Bellator fighter and Spanish-language UFC commentator Gaston Reyno has signed with BKFC and is expected to debut Nov. 5.

[autotag]Gaston Reyno[/autotag] is headed to the bareknuckle boxing world.

The former Bellator fighter and current Spanish-language UFC commentator for Latin America has signed with BKFC. Reyno is expected to make his debut at BKFC 32 in Orlando, Fla., on Nov. 5. An opponent has yet to be determined for the Uruguayan, but is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Sources with knowledge of the signing informed MMA Junkie on Friday, but asked to remain anonymous, as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

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Reyno is set to compete at 155 pounds under the BKFC banner, which was his usual weight class in MMA.

Reyno hasn’t competed in combat sports since he beat Rey Trujillo at Combate Global 51 in late 2019. He was nursing a knee surgery, which ultimately required surgery. Reyno currently is on a three-fight winning streak since his release from Bellator, where he went 2-2.

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Gaston Reyno eyes mid-2022 return to MMA after knee surgery recovery

Former Bellator fighter and UFC commentator Gaston Reyno provides an update on his knee injury and return to MMA.

[autotag]Gaston Reyno[/autotag] is itching to get back in the cage.

The former Combate Global and Bellator fighter is targeting a return to MMA competition for mid-2022 as he recovers from an ACL injury that’s kept him out of action.

Reyno, who’s also an ESPN commentator for Spanish-language UFC broadcasts outside of the U.S., is healing faster than expected.

“I’m 10 weeks post-operation,” Reyno told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I should be jogging one minute and resting two, but I just jogged 12 minutes at 5 miles per hour. I’m like three or four weeks ahead of the normal recovery. I’ve been doing therapy and following the doctor’s instructions.

“Next week, I have an appointment with my doctor, and I should know when I’ll be able to train again. But for sure you guys will see me again. I’m hoping it’s as soon as possible so I can step in the cage again.”

Reyno hasn’t competed since late 2019. He’s currently on a three-fight winning streak since his release from Bellator, where he went 2-2. The Uruguayan, who’s currently a free agent, is convinced he’ll compete this year and is eager to get back in action wherever that may be.

“For sure, I’m fighting again in 2022 – I think mid-2022 or a little before,” Reyno said. “Now I’m a free agent. I don’t have a contract with anyone, so I’ll be open to offers. I want to fight again and make up for lost time.”

Hablemos MMA EXTRA: Entrevista con Gastón Reyno

Escucha nueva edición de Hablemos MMA EXTRA con Gastón Reyno.

(Editor’s note: Hablemos MMA is MMA Junkie’s weekly Spanish-language podcast hosted by reporter Danny Segura. New episodes are released every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more of your favorite podcasting platforms. You can also stream or download the latest episode above.)

En este episodio de Hablemos MMA extra, Danny Segura entrevista a [autotag]Gaston Reyno[/autotag] acerca de su tiempo inactivo debido a la pandemia, su partida de Combate Américas, su futuro ahora como agente libre, [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] 2, y mucho más.

Free agent Gaston Reyno no longer with Combate Americas, looks to resume career in 2021

Uruguay’s Gaston Reyno is looking to resume career in 2021 after a long layoff.

[autotag]Gaston Reyno[/autotag] is in search of a new MMA home.

The Uruguayan fighter is no longer with Combate Americas and has become a free agent. Reyno (9-2), who is also a former Bellator fighter, is hoping to make a return in 2021 and build on his three-fight winning streak.

Reyno is also at a new gym and fighting out of a new city as he embarks on a new chapter.

“My contract with Combate Americas finished, now I’m a free agent,” Reyno said in Spanish on Hablemos MMA. “I have a new manager, who’s Brian Buttler, but beyond my contract with Combate Americas, they’re my family and I have a lot of love to them and respect. So whatever I do, I’m going to speak to them first.

“But I’m training and I’m improving. I’m with MMA Masters because the pandemic forced me to go to Miami. I was very happy with Alliance MMA, but I had to move to Miami and I found a great gym in MMA Masters.”

Reyno last fought in December 2019 on the Tito Ortiz vs. Alberto del Rio pay-per-view card in Texas. The pandemic put a halt on his career, causing the longest break for his professional MMA run. Although Reyno hasn’t been able to compete, he remains optimistic, all things considered.

“This was the first year of my life that I didn’t fight,” Reno said. “I’ve been competing in MMA for seven years and this is the first time I didn’t compete. I can’t complain because I know that there’s people who’ve had it more difficult, people who’ve lost family members So I can’t complain, but I do wish I would’ve fought because that’s what I love to do. Luckily, I’ve continued to train, I’ve continued to improve, and I’m ready for a return.”

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The 34-year-old fighter is in fighting shape and could make weight with a week’s notice. Reyno is open to jump at nay opportunity that comes his way preferably at his natural weight class of 145 pounds, but open to lightweight bouts.

Reyno, who’s an MMA analyst for ESPN in Spanish, is hoping to make up for lost time and compete as much as possible in the coming years. Despite being in his mid 30’s, Reyno feels he’s in the best moment of his career and is eager to get back in the cage.

“From a physical and technique standpoint, I’m at my best,” Reyno explained. “I started late, I started not so long ago, so I keep improving every day. And from a physical standpoint, it’s crazy – I’m lifting more than ever, I have the best cardio, so I feel like I can fight several more years.

“I do want to start a family and that’s very important so whenever I have to form my family, we’ll see if I can manage it all from my analyst work and my training for MMA.”

 

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