The journey to the top, for any fighter, is a long, winding, twisting road.  Nothing worth having comes easy and former Bellator world champion Pat Curran can attest to the that.

Curran is in the biggest slump of his career, 1-3 in his last 4 fights. Not, only did Curran have to deal with fighting some of the world’s best featherweights, he also had a struggle with depression.

When asked about the depression said, “I wasn’t sure if the losses caused the depression or the depression caused the losses,” Curran told The MMA Corner. Many fighters would feel the door is closing, but not Curran. Curran says he’s ditched the medication and feels like he’s back to normal.  Anyone that has ever dealt with depression can tell you how debilitating it can be.

This Friday night in Mulvane, Kan., Curran looks to bounce back to world champion form at Bellator 139.  Emmanuel Sanchez will be the man standing across the cage from Curran.  Sanchez, a Roufusport fighter replaces Goiti Yamauchi just weeks out from the bout. Curran states, “I need to put the pressure on him,” Curran admitted. “I need a definitive win.”  Sanchez (10-1), jumped at the opportunity to fight Curran.

Curran isn’t looking past Sanchez in any way, but when asked about his place in the featherweight division he is point blank. ” I think I’m a few wins from being in the title picture, maybe 2-3,” Curran said. “I don’t think this one victory gets me there.”

If Curran can get back in the win column Friday night, look for him to remain active.  A climb to the top is one that requires hard work and staying in the cage.  An interesting match up, with a Curran win, would be the rubber match with Daniel Strauss. Former Bellator champion, Strauss, is 1-1 against Curran and is coming off of a decisive victory last weekend at Bellator 138.

Can Curran turn his career around and head back up the ladder? Or, has his ship sailed.  Tune in Friday night on Spike TV for a stacked Bellator 139 card and watch the answers unfold.

About The Author

Josh Cate
Staff Writer

Josh Cate started his martial arts training 27 years ago. Josh become instantly passionate about the arts. One road led to another in his journey. Josh holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, 2nd degree black belt in Shingitai Jiu-jitsu, 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Brown belt in Judo. In 1998 he had his first professional MMA bout. A bronze medalist at the BJJ nationals, gold medalist at the Jiu-jitsu World Cup, NAGA national champion are a just a few of the many awards on Josh's list of accomplishments. Aside from owning and operating Team Kaos MMA/BJJ in Knoxville, Tennessee, Josh has started working with Valor Fighting Championships and occasionally writes for mma websites. Be on the lookout for the Full Frontal MMA podcast that he is getting ready to launch as well. Josh is truly grateful for all of the opportunities MMA has given him and looks forward to this chapter with The MMA Corner!