JC Llamas is thrilled to get back behind the cage.
A combination of pandemic cancellations and last-minute fight withdrawals kept Llamas (9-7) on the sidelines since September 2021, with his most recent outing being a bare-knuckle boxing match. Through it all, though, he stayed in the gym. When the opportunity came to headline BFL 74 against Dejan Kajic (14-7-2) for the BFL super welterweight championship, he didn't hesitate to sign on.
"I had several fights scheduled, including one for a world title, but my opponent bailed about two weeks out," Llamas told MMA Empire.
"Opponents have been dropping out with barely any notice, so I couldn't even find a replacement. Then the pandemic hit and I wasn't competing, but I've never stopped preparing."
Even though Llamas didn't recognize Kajic's name when the bout was offered, his ambitions remain clear: he wants to compete on major stages or pursue gold, and this fight delivers the latter.
"The vast majority of the fighters I face are top-tier talent, whether that's in Bellator, Combate, BKFC, or going after a world title," Llamas explained.
"I'm not interested in pushing paper wins. I chase the hardest matchups I can find."
After reviewing footage of Kajic's bouts, Llamas has grown increasingly sure that he'll walk away from BFL 74 with the belt.
The 37-year-old American figures he can match Kajic on the feet, but the smarter route to victory lies in taking the fight to the mat and hunting the submission with his trademark leg lock.
"I have the tools to win on the feet or on the ground. I'm complete across all disciplines, and I'm confident I can lock in a leg and finish him that way to claim the title," Llamas said.
"If he wants to trade punches, fine. If he wants to wrestle, he's walking right into a submission. The choice is his, but I'm certain I'm taking this one home."
Becoming champion would add a meaningful notch to Llamas' resume—and he knows time is running out. With only three or four years of fighting left in him, every opportunity carries extra weight.
"I see myself staying active for maybe three or four more seasons, so I want to keep competing," Llamas said. "But I also produce music, write, act, run gyms, and teach seminars—all of which demand serious time. Training for fights requires that kind of commitment too, which is why I'm planning to wrap up after a few more years."
