UFC Vegas 54: Frank Camacho After Two Years Away, Grateful To Be Back Fighting

Las Vegas, NV – It’s taken two years for UFC lightweight Frank Camacho to get back into the octagon to snap a two-fight losing streak. He attempts to do it against debutant Manuel Torres at UFC Vegas 54 on Saturday night.

“Two years off. A lot of things that I can’t control. I got COVID 2020. Was so stoked to get on the card against Matt Frevola. Then I got into a car wreck on the 405….you know really just soaking it in dude. I’m just so grateful for the opportunity,” Camacho told reporters on Wednesday.

“I’m walking through the fighter hotel and seeing everyone and just feeling the vibe. Grateful that I can go out there and showcase my hard work, but at the same time this right here, talking in front of all of you guys. This is so precious and a lot of fighters don’t understand that…and they take it for granted. Until you lose a loved one or until you lose something, until you really appreciate it. I lost it for two years. F*ck, everyone knows I love to fight so I’m super stoked!”

Losing two years of his career made Camacho wonder if he’d ever be able to get back into the cage and fight. He credited the team around him for helping him get back.

“Yeah a lot of questions, right? Internally, but really stoked to have a really good team. A really good support system. My wife day in, day out. Man what are we doing? Are we going to do this? It’s my stream of income, but I’m very fortunate that I can make money in other things. But I still wake up every day and I’m like, ‘Man, I love this thing, babe.’ I still want to wake up and I still want to fight. It really just helped having that support system. Just to kind of keep me on,” Camacho said.

“Let’s just say I prefer positivity over negativity so that’s definitely helped. I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I used to see a lot of guys worse, worse injuries that come back and become world champions. It was a long journey. Fortunately I’m still young and I still love it. Can’t wait to perform.”

For a veteran fighter taking on a UFC debutant would make most fighters a little sour, but Camacho was nothing but grateful to just fight.

“Honestly, I haven’t really been thinking about it like that. Everyone that gets signed is tough. Everyone is strong, everyone is fast, everyone is good. I’m really just grateful bro. Just really grateful to walk through these doors and stand in front of everyone. Yeah crazy, two years and I’m on the main card, on the APEX show, but freaking right on! I was looking forward to even just fighting on the first fight! Get in, get out,” Camacho said.

“But I want to earn my keep. Let me earn my way back to maybe like a PPV where I can fight in front of a big crowd.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 54 Media Day appearance by Frank Camacho above. More coverage from the event can be found at CagesidePress.com