TORONTO — Ivan Menjivar took a break from MMA in 2006 to be a good family man and the game nearly passed him by.
Four-and-a-half years later, the El Salvador-born Montrealer is ready to thrust himself right back into the thick of things at the biggest UFC show in history.
Menjivar (21-8) takes on Charlie Valencia (12-6) on the undercard of UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields Saturday night in front of more than 55,000 fans at the Rogers Centre in a bantamweight bout that’s only his third fight since his return from a three-plus year hiatus.
The 28-year-old could be considered a veteran, fighting since 2001 and having as many career fights as Randy Couture. In August 2006 he had built a very respectable 20-5 record.
But after a second straight loss in November 2006, the father of two thought he should take some time off. He returned in June 2010, but while he was away, “the sport became so big, so I felt like a beginner and I had to prove myself and prove to everybody I’m ready to get back.”
He said that’s easier said than done.
“It was a test,” Menjivar admitted. “Putting my body (through everything again), training, losing the weight, etc. And trying to get the time to prepare because when you work, and have kids, it’s not the same like when you’re 23 years old and have no obligations.”
The jiu-jitsu practitioner is 1-1 in his return — a submission victory over Aaron Miller last June followed by a close decision loss to Brad Pickett in his WEC debut in December — and now he has a shot at the UFC.
It’s not technically his Octagon debut — he fell to Matt Serra at UFC 48 in 2004. But he was a lightweight then and he also believes things are very different these days.
“I realize the level (of competition) is much bigger now,” Menjivar said. “Guys are in shape, have good strategy and fight smart.”
Menjivar said he wasn’t happy with his strategy against Pickett and didn’t respect his takedown ability.
“I didn’t sprawl and Brad took me down two or three times,” he said. “But I’m happy with my performance because I had a good show.”
He knows it will be a challenge Saturday night against Valencia, who recently had a three-fight win streak in the WEC before a loss to former champion Miguel Torres in September.
But Menjivar thinks he’s adapted to the way the game has changed.
“For this one I prepared well,” he said. “I made mistakes in my last fight, but they won’t happen again. I’m ready.”
| UFC 129 Sportsnet/sportsnet.ca schedule | |||
| What? | When? | Where? | |
| ‘Super 7’ special presentation (replay) | Friday, 3 p.m. ET | UFC live stream | |
| UFC 129 weigh-ins (replay) | Friday, 4 p.m. ET | UFC live stream | |
| UFC 129 live results | Saturday, 6 p.m. ET | Fight card | |
| Prelims on Facebook | Saturday, 6-8 p.m. ET | ||
| UFC Connected pre-fight special | Saturday, 7-8 p.m. ET | Sportsnet/sportsnet.ca | |
| Prelims on Sportsnet | Saturday, 8-9 p.m. ET | Sportsnet | |
| UFC 129 main card (PPV) | Saturday, 9 p.m. ET | Pay-per-view | |
| UFC Connected post-fight special | Saturday, 12-12:30 a.m. ET | Sportsnet/sportsnet.ca | |
| Post-fight press conference | Saturday, 1:15 a.m. ET (approx.) | UFC live stream | |
Menjivar, who was born in El Salvador but came to Montreal when he was 10 years old, considers himself equally Canadian and Salvadoran. “I’m proud to be from both and represent both,” he said.
A full-time airport worker, Menjivar would love to fight for a living but says he definitely needs the job security because “you never know what could happen in a fight.”
“If I break my ankle and can’t fight for three months, it’s important to have a second option,” he said.
Menjivar said it’s great having the new market of Ontario open to the sport, and the next step is to have more local media and sponsors to realize that MMA is serious and is a good business market for them.
He’s certainly doing his part to entertain. He had a little fun at the weigh-ins Friday, sporting a claw like that of the comic book character Wolverine on his left hand.
The five-foot-six Menjivar is one of a handful of fighters on the card who trains out of Tristar gym under Firas Zahabi. This includes Georges St-Pierre, who defends his welterweight belt in the main event. The now champion can perhaps thank Menjivar, who began his career as a welterweight, for getting his legendary career started — GSP made his professional debut against him on January 25, 2002, and defeated him by TKO a second before the end of the first round. It was Menjivar’s first career loss in five fights.
Little did he know what his opponent that night would eventually become.
With the UFC now having a 135-pound division better suited for his size, perhaps down the line he can get to that pinnacle too. And then maybe say goodbye to his day job.
