HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Lazaro Dayron wants to be the new face of Cuban MMA, and he feels a PFL world title would help his cause.

Dayron (9-0-1), an undefeated PFL bantamweight prospect, is looking to make a name for himself in MMA. He's been witness to the success in MMA of former Bellator champion Hector Lombard and former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero – two Olympic athletes who came out of Cuba. However, those names are largely a thing of the past now, with both fighters being on the tail end of their career.

"Both of them have been a big inspiration for us, the new generation," Dayron said. "For me, they're equal. Hector got here first, Yoel came after, but they both put Cuba on the map. Both of them have been champions, both of them represented the country well, and I've always followed them both. They're a guide for me to follow."

Dayron fought to a draw against Danny Sabatello in his PFL debut, and then defeated fellow unbeaten prospect Bryce Meredith last Thursday at 2025 PFL World Tournament 10 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Dayron hopes to be put in next year's bantamweight tournament, so he can accomplish his dream of being a PFL champion.

"I'm out to be champion here in PFL," Dayron said. "That's my goal, be the next champion of the PFL bantamweight division. … We were up against an undefeated fighter like myself. It was a great moment what we just accomplished because he was a high-level opponent. I'd like for PFL to give me another fight before the year closes. We'll be on the lookout. As far as next year, I hope they let me compete in the 2026 tournament."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Inspired by Romero, Lombard, Cuba's Lazaro Dayron aims to be PFL champ

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