Stephen Regman watched from his couch.
While eating a home cooked dinner in his Brooklyn, New York home, Regman turned his TV on to UFC on FOX 19. Regman’s last opponent, Darrel Horcher signed with the UFC a few weeks before making his UFC debut against Khabib Nurmogomedov on the event’s main card.
Regman watched disappointed 1,136 miles away from the event in Tampa, Florida.
“I knew he would get in the UFC after our fight,” Regman said. “I thought in time that I am getting closer to my dream. Just like I told him after our fight, Horcher is a tough dude.”
Regman challenged Horcher for the Cage fury Fighting Championships lightweight title on October 31, 2015. After what Regman considered a close fight, Horcher caught the 24-year-old and won the fight via technical knockout in the third round at CFFC 52 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The loss created a roadblock for Regman after snapping a five-fight win streak.
“Everything I planned on doing with my fight with Horcher worked. I just got caught with a good shot which anyone can get caught with,” Regman said. “That feeling hurt a lot because I knew that winner would more than likely get their shot in the UFC.”
Regman’s only other loss came from a split decision defeat to Eddie Lenoci at Ring of Combat 46 in his professional debut in September 2013.
The former Tiger Shullman member made a change after the Horcher loss by going to go to Pellegrino Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Lake Como, New Jersey for his main gym.
Regman, who is (5-2) inside the cage first attended the gym owned by the former UFC lightweight Kurt Pellegrino in preparation for Horcher. Regman attended just twice a week.
“I saw that my ground game became a lot better in such a short time period while I trained there,” Regman said. “Also, Kurt is an awesome guy and coach that understands and works a lot with me.”
Regman’s first fight as KPMMA fight team member will be May 21 at CFFC 58 inside the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic CIty. Regman steps in the CFFC cage for the sixth time to meet Louisiana’s Thomas Webb (10-3) after his original opponent, Cole Presely (6-2) backed out of the fight due to injury.
Webb is currently riding a two-fight win streak with a third round technical knockout finish of Sean Soriano and a unanimous decision against Scott O’Shaughnessy.
“I am excited for this fight,” Regman said. “A big win puts me back on the radar and with the potential to hopefully fight for the CFFC lightweight title.”
By Connor Northrup