“Not Just Anyone Can Do It” – Felipe Lobo Reflects on the Huge Difference Between Fighting and Life as a Restaurant Owner

Felipe “Demolition Man” Lobo is much more than the elite fighter fans love to watch compete on the global stage. The Brazilian knockout artist is now in his final preparations for his World Title showdown against reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty in the main event of ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video.

That matchup will air live in U.S. primetime this Friday, February 16 from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Felipe Lobo talks about his two career profession

While Lobo has certainly spent the past several weeks supremely focused on Haggerty and his 26 pounds of gold, he’s also spent some time devoted to his Phuket restaurant, Recovery Foods.

When the 30-year-old moved to Thailand, he came with two distinct goals: reach the top of the Muay Thai world and own a successful restaurant. Now a year into owning the restaurant, which specializes in health foods for athletes, Lobo seems to have found the perfect balance between being a fighter and a business owner.

The key, he says, is balance. A fighter’s life is extremely demanding, requiring hours-long daily training sessions that can be draining both physically and mentally. But business is different, as it allows him to simultaneously pursue other avenues.

The Brazilian explained, “I’m sure it’s harder to be a fighter. There’s daily training, diet. Hard work affects emotions a lot. It’s something out of the ordinary, so not just anyone can do it, especially at the highest level. In business, you can balance your life with other things.”

Luckily for Lobo, he doesn’t have to balance business and fighting all alone; he’s supported by his wife, who has backed his dual goals from day one.

The role of “Demolition Man” in his restaurant

According to “Demolition Man,” he’s not as involved in the day-to-day functions of the restaurant, which allows him to focus more time on training.

He added, “I don’t go to the restaurant every day. I go to the restaurant every weekend, and at home, I organize restaurant things with my wife. I dedicate myself a lot to business, but I do more from home. My wife goes to the restaurant more often. She is Thai and communicates more easily with employees.”

Also Read: “I Pay My Bills With Fight Money” – Felipe Lobo Opens Up on the Struggles of Living in Thailand

Felipe Lobo seems to have just as much passion for food as he has for Fighting. However, at the moment, he seems focused on taking the belt away from Jonathan Haggerty. Do you believe that he will be successful in doing so? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Also Read: “He Likes to Talk a Lot” – Felipe Lobo Looking to Shut Jonathan Haggerty Up at ONE Fight Night 19