After a successful professional debut earlier this year, Dorian Swiatkowski is ready to keep the momentum going at Almighty Fighting Championship 33.
The professional mixed martial artist will take to the cage next Saturday, 25th November, under the bright lights of the Barnsley Metrodome and take on Ysai Vilamur. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting the promotion’s social media accounts, and the pay-per-view can be bought by clicking AFC 33 – FightMasters.
Ahead of his second professional contest, we had the pleasure of catching up with Dorian Swiatkowski
Inside the Mind of Dorian Swiatkowski: Overcoming Nerves, Trusting Skills, and Visualizing a Decisive Victory in the Upcoming Bout
In Sept this year, you made the walk for the first time as a professional. Tell me about the experience and how you felt with the addition of elbows, knees to the head and the extra minutes in the round.
The pro rules suit me very well; the elbows were a game-changer on the ground, and the extra minutes allowed me to take my time and not rush anything.
Pro debuts are crucial for confidence, and essentially, just getting that first win under your belt can be a daunting feeling when stepping in there. How were the nerves pre-fight, compared to how you’re feeling ahead of your fight on AFC 33? Is there a slight sense of pressure off your shoulders, or is it all the same?
I don’t worry about things like getting my first pro win or my record. I just take every fight as it comes and enjoy the process. I was nervous before the fight, as I think everyone is, but I was able to deal with it quickly, having been there before.
It took you one round to get Jabeed Rahman out of there. How satisfied were you with your overall showing? Anything you weren’t happy with?
I did want to get more cage time in, but a first-round finish is not something I’m going to complain about.
Next Saturday in Barnsley, you’ll be met with Ysai Vilamur, who boasts a 2-0 record as a professional. Upon watching his two pro fights. Are you impressed? What were your initial thoughts?
He moves nicely and has good footwork, but I don’t focus on him too much. I like to look at a couple of my opponent’s fights more to put a face to the name rather than analyze him too much.
Going Pro
The sport of MMA across the globe is in such a great place. You’ve always had amateurs training like professionals and having that professional mindset/approach to the game. That said, how has your preparation differentiated in any way since transitioning?
Since going pro, I’ve been trying to get more organized with my training. Especially my own training outside of classes. Rather than fitting roadwork and conditioning whenever I can, I’ve been planning more focused sessions throughout the week.
Throughout his amateur career and professional thus far, nobody has managed to beat Ysai. With that in mind, what makes you the man to hand him his first loss in martial arts?
Since going pro, I’ve been trying to get more organized with my training. Especially my own training outside of classes. Rather than fitting roadwork and conditioning whenever I can, I’ve been planning more focused sessions throughout the week.
When your head hits the pillow at night, after all the footage you’ve watched, all the scenarios that have went through your mind. What do you see unfolding on Nov. 25 at AFC 33?
Nerves and doubts always set it, but I think I’m the more well-rounded fighter, which will allow me to get the finish.
