MMA Fight Academy’s Francesco Mazzeo Channeled Anger for Violent Stepfather Through Combat Sports

Nothing hits harder than life and Francesco Mazzeo knows it pretty well, but he plans to punch back with all he has.

Mazzeo (1-0) is looking for redemption as he’s making his way as a mixed martial artist. The Milan-born fighter lost his father as a child, and when his mother found another man, he was abusive with Mazzeo and his sister. Growing up, the Aurora MMA representative accumulated much frustration and hatred that he learned to channel and vent through MMA. Thanks to the MMA Fight Academy program sponsored by Mola TV, Mazzeo had the chance to train for three months in the United States and polish his skills at an early stage of his career. Mazzeo will now take on Joan Arastey at the upcoming CW 154 event on May 6 in Rome with a Cage Warriors contract on the line and the chance to change his family’s fate.

“When I was a child, I lost my father. After that, my mother met another man who was a monster with me and my sister; a very violent man. My sister and I grow up sad and alone. When I decided to take up this sport, it made me free and happy. I think this sport can give me a chance and the opportunity to change our lives. Life punched my sister, my mother, and me very hard, but now is my time. I want to bring my family to the top, and for sure, I will do that.”

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro
(00:39) Taking part in the MMA Fight Academy program
(02:29) Thanking Mola TV for the opportunity
(03:14) Fighting in Rome
(04:43) Training in the U.S.
(06:38) Making a career out of MMA
(08:09) His relationship with his stepfather
(09:26) Having his sister cageside in Rome
(10:18) What he’s going to eat once he gets home
(11:11) Outro