LFA welterweight Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani knows he will reach the ranks of the UFC one day, but for now he’s focused on growth and his main event fight at LFA 206 this Friday night against Kegan Gennrich.
“I feel like there’s been times in my career where I felt like I was ready to make that next step, and life taught me that, you know, that wasn’t my time,” Lebosnoyani told Cageside Press.
“Going into this one there’s definitely a lot of voices that are like ‘Oh you’re ready. It’s your time to go to the UFC’. Honestly, I’m not too focused on that. I think that me getting to the UFC is inevitable whether it’s after this fight or whether it’s after 5-6 fights from now.”
Lebosnoyani (7-2) is clear about what his mindset is when it comes to the fight game, and life. You stay focused on what’s in front of you and nothing else.
“I’m not really focused on that at all I’m focused more on my self-development as a human and as a fighter. I’m trusting in God’s plan and the universe of when my time is right,” he said.
“Obviously I believe in myself, and I back myself 100%. I check all the boxes, but ultimately at the end of the day, nothing matters. You can do everything right and go out there and lose. You can miss training and not take it seriously, and go out there and win.”
This Friday he gets Gennrich who’s had 7 fights in LFA. The former LFA lightweight champion makes his return to the promotion after taking a fight outside of it. It makes for a very big fight for Lebosnoyani who would love to add a former champion to his resume.
“I’m very aware that he’s a very skilled guy. Very experienced. At the same time I think that part of my approach to victory is honestly not really focusing on what he’s good at. I’m focusing more on what I’m good at. Just kind of looking forward to how the fight will play out,” he said.
‘Mufasa’ is one of the more well-rounded welterweights, not only in LFA, but in the world. Google the name ‘Lebosnoyani’ and you’ll see he’s not only one of the best Jiu-Jitsu fighters on the planet.
He’s part of royalty.
“I’m definitely blessed to have been born into the sport. Specially with so many legends that I’ve learned from. It’s a privilege and an honor to have a foundation, a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu foundation, that I’ve sort of built my style on top of,” he said.
“I’m super grateful for it, and I remember it throughout my learning process and my career and it allows me to build off of it.”
Legends like Helio Gracie who Lebosnoyani’s father trained under before going on to train Royce Gracie. It’s a legacy that the younger Lebosnoyani is proud of, and carries, but it’s time to create his own.
“I’m going to try to enjoy the process as much as possible and not focus too much on the outcome, or what comes after that, and just be present every punch, every kick, every grappling exchange. Just enjoy it because this is what I love to do. I do it every day,” said Lebosnoyani
“On this Friday expect the unexpected. No matter what I’m going to find a way to get my hand raised.”
Watch the entire interview with Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani above. He headlines LFA 206 this Friday night against Kegan Gennrich in Prior Lake, Minnesota on UFC Fight Pass.
