Of course, seeing the same individuals on a daily basis doing the work fighters do can get tiresome, and it’d be natural to think tensions might build up and boil over, but that’s not the case. If you spend any time around the group, the chemistry – intellectually, athletically, and frankly, comedically – is clear as day.
“We can be mad at each other for whatever reason, and the next day, train like nothing ever happened,” Font said. “That’s probably when we’re close to the fight because of a weight cut or whatever. We don’t have those type of issues. I don’t foresee those type of issues either, and if we do, we get to spar, so you can handle it right then and there and squash any kind of beef or whatever that may occur. That doesn’t really happen as much.”
“I guess it’s because we get to beat the f**k out of each other all day,” Kattar added. “That probably keeps the tensions lower, at least at the end of training. You get it all out of your system, so if something is pissing you off, you’ll probably get it out of your chest during that session, and afterwards, you’re just grateful to have a glass of water at that point.”
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Along with Kattar and Font, the Cartel sports a couple fighters making their way on the regional scene: Tom Pagliarulo and Fiore. Together, they cultivate an environment in which, as Kattar puts it, the “world revolves around” whoever has a fight coming up. When Font took out Marlon Moraes at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Neal, Kattar was alongside, carrying towels and catering to Font’s needs. A month later in Abu Dhabi, Font did the same as Kattar went to battle with Max Holloway in a main event to open up 2021.
It’s that kind of selflessness and helpful understanding that Font craved when he first approached Chartier, and it’s part of their formula to success.
“The biggest thing for me and for my coach, Tyson, was just being around people that really, really cared,” Font said. “You go to certain gyms, they’re just there to get the credit, get the name, money, whatever, trying to get members to the gym. With us, it’s just about the fighter. It’s just about making sure that we do whatever we have to do to make sure the fighter is comfortable and prepared for the fight. Fighting is a hard, hard sport, and if you’re not just focused on the fight, then you’ll always be two steps behind.”