Andrea Cola is an Italian MMA fighter who trains with Team Lakay in La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines. (Photo : Yibada/Conviron Altatis)
Team Lakay's Andrea Cola believes that MMA fighters should abstain from sexual intercourse before a bout. This is contrary to Conor McGregor's take on the issue.
I got to talk to Cola during the weigh-in for "Team Lakay Championship XIII: The Kapangan MMA Invasion 2" on April 30, Sunday, at Kalei's Grill, La Trinidad, Benguet. The weigh-in venue is located just below the Team Lakay Gym.
During an interview after the weigh-in, I asked Cola about the things he usually does a day before a fight. He emphasized that it is important for an MMA fighter to not have sex at least one week before a big competition.
Apparently, McGregor believes otherwise. On July 3, 2015, the Irish UFC fighter appeared as a guest on the TBS talk show "Conan," in which he discussed why superstition is another form of fear.
"Let me ask you this," Conan O'Brien told McGregor then. "This is an old maxim in fighting that you've heard about over the years. Abstain from sex before a fight. Where are you in that category?"
"That is most certainly a superstition that I do not abide by," McGregor told the host. "I definitely have much sex as possible."
With this, McGregor received a round of applause from the audience. On the other hand, O'Brien responded, "Again, another path where you and I differ."
After becoming the UFC featherweight champion, McGregor is now the reigning UFC lightweight champion. He was born on July 14, 1988 in Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland.
Despite their difference when it comes to sex before an MMA fight, McGregor is one of the MMA fighters Cola considers as the best one of all time. Coming from Italy, Cola worked in Ireland for several years before deciding to move to the Philippines and train with Team Lakay legends Mark Sangiao and Eduard Folayang.
Cola is set to fight Gridlock MMA's Leo Alejandro in the 70 kg division of the "Team Lakay Championship XIII: The Kapangan MMA Invasion 2" MMA event on May 1, Monday, at the Kapangan Municipal Gymnasium in Lomon, Kapangan, Benguet. Here is a clip from my interview with the Team Lakay fighter from Italy:
