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Crane sees 'Rage' 122 as route back to UFCThe lights were blinding. The crowd, deafening. The feeling, euphoric. Alberto Crane remembers what it was like. To be in those lights. To not hear his own thoughts. To feel the addiction that is fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the biggest mixed martial arts organization in the world. It's been a little over a year since Crane, 32, fought in the UFC, losing both of his fights there. His goal is to climb back to the top. But first, he must rack up wins, including in the main event of Rage in the Cage 122 on Saturday at Celebrity Theatre. "Absolutely I'd like to get back in the big show (UFC) and I'm hoping to do that this year," said Crane, who is fighting Eric Regan (11-12) at 165 pounds. "When I fought in the UFC, I had a lot of changes. I moved to California (from Santa Fe), and I was coming off a long layoff. It's a big difference this time. I'm looking to get back on track. (Saturday) is one step in that direction." Crane (11-3) is a decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, well-known for his academies, books and videos on the martial art. Before entering MMA, Crane was a three-time Brazilian national jiu-jitsu champion and won a gold medal in the black belt division of the 2002 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. He won his first eight fights, all by submission, in various MMA leagues. He then got his shot in the UFC in 2007, even though he did not compete in more than two years prior, which cost him a longer stay in the UFC. He lost his first UFC fight and his second in January 2008 by TKO. But Crane has now put in full dedication to his MMA career, entering his fifth fight in eight months and carrying a three-bout win streak. "I've been working hard on my standup in the last year in the half," Crane said. "I'm definitely looking to show something there. But if (Regan) gives an opening, I'll make the fight go to the ground. Everyone knows what I can do then. It's no secret." |