LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — From Mexico City to Las Vegas, UFC fighter Daniel “Golden Boy” Zellhuber is fighting for more than wins inside the octagon.
Zellhuber, 23, left Mexico City for Las Vegas to prove he belonged on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts. He said the move meant leaving family behind for a new country, a new language, and a shot at his dream.
Before he ever fought in the octagon, Zellhuber said he took up fighting after being bullied in school.
“It was kind of like a funny start because I get bullied in the school, like hard,” Zellhuber said.
What started as self-defense became his career. In Las Vegas, he said he found community among Latino fans who follow his career.
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“I feel blessed because a bunch of Latino people in here knows me from fighting,” Zellhuber said. “And everybody’s like, ‘hey, carnal. Hey, it’s good to see you. Like, I follow your career.’”
Zellhuber said he is not on his best streak after coming off losses, and admitted there are days when he thinks about walking away. He said his story is not about how far he has made it, but what he does next.
“I want to inspire all the Mexican kids, all the Mexican kids that are in here,” Zellhuber said. “I want to be an example of how many things you can achieve if you really don’t quit, you know.”
He summed it up in Spanish: “No importa que pierdan mil veces mientras se levanten mil y una.”
In English: “It doesn’t matter if I fall a thousand times, as long as I get back up a thousand and one times.”
In addition to fighting, Zellhuber now also works as a commentator for UFC en español.
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