Just four months ago, Tyson Pedro’s life took an unexpected turn as he shifted his focus from boxing to a new venture. Disillusioned by injury setbacks and the unpredictable nature of boxing politics, the Penrith fighter embraced a partnership in Drink West Brewery alongside Nathan Cleary and Tai Tuivasa.
Now, he finds himself launching Bakery Brothers in Jamisontown, Sydney, with his mate and pastry chef, Rama Pattison. Pedro jokingly admitted to indulging a bit too much during the pie-making process, having reached about 115kg before realising he needed to trim down for his return to MMA. The former UFC fighter now prepares for his debut in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) on Friday against Turkmenistan’s Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov in Belfast.
“Sometimes things don’t work out, and I thought about quitting fighting for baking,” Pedro reflected. However, a new contract with PFL rekindled his passion for the sport. He’s undergone an intense three-month training regimen at Auckland’s renowned City Kickboxing gym, where he refined his skills and regained flexibility after a six-month hiatus from training.
Pedro also took valuable lessons from his boxing experience. “In boxing, it’s crucial to break down your opponent gradually since knockouts in the early rounds are less common,” he explained. The strategy contrasts with MMA, where swift knockouts can occur due to smaller gloves.
His upcoming opponent, Yagshimuradov, boasts a successful MMA career and has acted in the popular Turkish series Kuruluş: Osman. Pedro is prepared for a challenging clash, having studied Yagshimuradov’s fighting style and picked up tips from his coaches.
As for local support, Pedro, who recently discovered some Irish heritage, hopes to win over the Belfast audience. When asked about his culinary preferences, he cheekily sided with Kiwi pies, reminiscing about a particularly delicious Palusami pie from a local bakery, though he’s certainly a supporter of his own exquisite Bakery Brothers creations.
With his newfound focus and the backing of the PFL, Pedro is stepping back into the cage with enthusiasm, ready to blend his combat capabilities with the lessons learned from his recent culinary escapades.