Half Way Home: Why Ricardo Lamas is a fighter in exile

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY SportsWhen Ricardo Lamas went to Monterrey in November, he did far more than secure a convincing victory over a tough veteran. While there, the 5th ranked UFC featherweight took time to discover half of what made him the man he is today.

Monterrey was home to Ricardo Lamas' mother. There, in a gritty industrial town that cares more about function than flash, Lamas was able to outwork Diego Sanchez on route to a memorable win at UFC Fight Night 78.

But Ricardo Lamas earned much more than a signature win in Monterrey. In northeastern Mexico, 'The Bully' was also able to access a new understanding of not only what it meant to be Mexican, but what it meant to be from…