Austin Bailor wanted to be an entertainer. Kickboxing gave him the opportunity to step into the spotlight, with all the eyes in the arena on him. And when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Bailor turned his passion for fighting and UFC into a tangible and competitive part of his life.
Now, after putting kickboxing in the forefront, Bailor is preparing for the biggest event of his young career. After winning the ISKA New York state 135-pound title over Andreas Quiroz on Aug. 17, the 22-year-old Niagara Falls resident aims for a gold medal as a member of Team USA at the AMA ISKA World Championships Oct.
23-27 in Vienna, Austria. “It feels amazing,” Bailor said. “I’m honored that they asked me to go.
I was kind of baffled at first when they asked me. But hard work, it’ll get you anywhere if you believe in yourself. So we’re here now.
I’m happy to be here.” Standing at 5-foot-8, Bailor got on Team USA’s radar after defeating Massachusetts’ Jayden Mazariegos with a first-round knockout in June and moved on for a state title. And while training for his fight with Quiroz, Bailor was officially offered a spot.
After one fight in Muay Thai, a unanimous win against Pennsylvania’s Vishnu Shridhar in May 2022, Bailor moved to kickboxing, starting with a unanimous win against Frank Davenport in July 2022. But on his way towards Vienna, Bailor, who has a 4-1 overall fighting record and three wins in kickboxing, adopted a training routine for all his fights, with the motivation of competing for a living. After training between 60 to 90 minutes per day at the Fight Sport Training Center in Niagara Falls, with coach Craig Reed, Bailor continues by running up-and-down the stairs at the Niagara Gorge or riding his bike for 10 to 15 miles.
Along with the physical training, Bailor had to adjust his diet to now primarily chicken, rice and blueberries, with the latter to help cut weight. “I’d say my discipline has gotten a lot better,” Bailor said. “I don’t go out as much or drink as much or anything like that.
I just kind of stay focused on this now. ..
. Just staying focused and staying healthy, not allowing other things get to me. That’s definitely been a way bigger difference for training camps.
” But competing in Austria also has its own challenges for Bailor. When competing for a local fight, Bailor has the luxury to watch film on his opponents before stepping into the cage. But on the international stage, Bailor and Reed won’t know who his first opponent will be until he arrives in Austria.
Along with the uncertainty, Bailor and Reed are preparing with the intent of having to fight for up to six matches in a two-day span. “It’s weird not knowing who we’re fighting so we’re going to go into this just kind of prepared for anything,” Reed said. “.
.. That’s almost like a year or two worth of fights in two days.
So that's a lot to take in, mentally and physically. So hopefully he doesn't get banged up right away. Try to be smart with it.
He's got a level head on him.” Niagara Falls' resident Austin Bailor goes through a training session, Wednesday, at the Fight Sport Training Center in Niagara Falls. No matter what the outcome is at the championships, Bailor is looking ahead.
Bailor has plans to start learning jiu jitsu and compete in MMA amateur matches before eventually turning professional. The opportunity to compete in Austria, to Bailor, is the first stepping stone. And gaining as much experience against competition is an opportunity.
“Every day, (competing) gets me out of bed,” Bailor said. “Definitely makes me happy.”.
