Loman eyes cage return in May or June
MANILA, Philippines — It has been 14 years since Stephen Loman fought his first mixed martial arts match, which ended up to be a smashing debut.
The challenges are of course normal. The odd loss once in a blue moon, but Loman has always bounced back with a win streak. However, in the last six years, there have been hurdles that he cannot just punch or kick at inside the cage.
First, there was the Covid-19 pandemic and the long global lockdown that resulted in a long work stoppage. Then there was the dispute with ONE Championship, where he sat on a shelf after going 3-1, including an impressive win over one of the all-time greats in Bibiano Fernandes.
“Two years — matagal din nabakante,” Loman said after his last match in September 2023 that resulted in a loss to John Lineker in ONE, which was contentious in terms of the result.
Shockingly, ONE kept Loman on the shelf, prompting him to post on his social media “Give me a fight.”
With none forthcoming for reasons only known to ONE, Loman left and has since returned to Brave Combat Federation, where his star rose as he became the promotion’s first ever bantamweight champion.
“I am lucky that they allowed me back,” said a grateful Loman.
Except now, the war in the Middle East has seen the sports calendar in the region greatly upset from mixed martial arts to Formula 1.
During the lull time, Loman opened a gym in Baguio and got married. He trains every day just to keep in shape.
“I work out two hours a day and I run. You will not know when I am suddenly called back into the cage,” he added.
He looks at the good things that have since happened and acknowledges that they help with his mental health.
Loman is approaching his prime being only 26 years of age, but ring rust and the hard-fought confidence are concerns.
“You need to feel the intensity of fighting in the cage, and you don’t want to lose it,” he underscored. “Ang two years is a long time not to be fighting.”
There’s talk of his next fight being scheduled in Europe. “Probably in Slovenia in May or June,” he bared. Loman has been watching videos of possible opponents in current Brave bantamweight champion, Borislav Nikolic, or even Nicholas Hwende or Hamza Kooheji.
For now, he is awaiting developments this April to know when exactly he would be back to fighting.
“Sabi nila, patience is a virtue,” he summed up. “Lalo na ngayon mas kailangan.”
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