LONDON – If Aaron Chalmers were the average MMA up-and-comer, a loss in his fifth professional fight would’ve drawn a shrug from most observers.
Instead, a certain section of the fan base was waiting with knives out to mock the ex-reality star.
“Because I’m from TV, that’s not allowed,” Chalmers told MMA Junkie in advance of his Bellator London fight against Fred Freeman (2-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA). “So you kind of put yourself on a pedestal to fail.
“I knew when I lost it would be bad. But you’ve just got to deal with it. You can deal deal with it, or you can let it affect you, and there’s no way I’m going to let them win, hence why I’m back.”
Chalmers, a former star of the “Geordie Shore” reality series, moved back to his hometown of Newcastle to re-dedicate himself to the sport. He recruited a new coach worked every day on the wrestling that failed him in his fight against Corey Browning in February.
When a spot on “Bellator Europe 3” opened up at the SSE in London, Chalmers (4-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) saw a timeline perfect for his training and volunteered.
“I know I’ve been working hard,” he said. “I can’t see this kid putting me anywhere I haven’t been many times in the gym.”
The former reality star estimates there’s less attention on him nowadays. He’s no longer the undefeated reality star blowing through the competition in one round. He’s back to the middle of the pack, even though he still stands out.
“I wouldn’t say (the pressure is) off,” Chalmers said. “But I think it is a little bit. I don’t feel as much stress, I’ll put it that way.”
There are still plenty naysayers who would love to see him stumble again. Chalmers, though, said he’s wiser now about where to put his energy before a fight and his mind is focused on the right things.
“I learned that instead of trying to please everyone, just please myself,” he said. “And that’s all that matters, really.”
Chalmers has a motto going back into the cage after an embarrassing loss on home soil, and he hopes it will carry him through this rough patch.
“Every (expletive) day wrestling,” he said.
For more on Bellator Europe 3, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.
