Chef-turned-fighter Mehdi Baghdad ready to tackle Montreal’s John Makdessi
Lightweight Mehdi (The Sultan) Baghdad earned a diploma in culinary arts in his native France and loves to cook — good food, rather than dietary meals, that is.
“When I have some time, I cook,” he explained. “But I’m not really a cooker for diet (purposes), I just cook really good food.”
Since cutting weight and hollandaise sauces don’t really go together, Baghdad spends more time in the gym than the kitchen in his adopted California home. But he can see calories on the horizon. On Thursday, the foodie fighter takes on Montreal’s John (The Bull) Makdessi in one of three UFC cards in Las Vegas this week.
Brazilian Rafael Dos Anjos defends his lightweight title against No. 2 contender Eddie Alverez in the main event of Thursday’s Fight Night card at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.