TUCSON, Ariz. - MMA Combate Americas bantamweight champion has fought in places such as Japan, Costa Rico, and Brazil. But, he hasn't always been so welcome everywhere he has been.
Born in Sonora, Alday lived in Tucson from age 9 to 20. He was working in landscaping when he was deported back to Mexico.
"I had big dreams," said Alday. "And then everything gets crushed. I had to go back to my home country."
It was back in Hermosillo where Alday found his talent for mixed martial arts.
"MMA gave me a path, a straight path to success."
Alday caught on with Combate Americas, a division of MMA that markets to Latin Americans. He's back living in the United States as a legal resident. And, he's become Combate Americas, which markets to Latin Americans, first ever bantamweight champion.
This Friday, at Casino del Sol, Alday will be defending his title against Gustavo Lopez in a rematch from an earlier fight.
"All the blood that was bled. All the sweat that I sweat. All the tears I cried.
This belt is staying here. I've been working for this. It's been many years."
