Despite being faced with a last minute opponent change ahead of his professional debut, Dorian Swiatkowski is “far more excited” for his upcoming fight with Jabeed Rahman.
Swiakowski was originally scheduled to face Urmat Jakshybaev this Saturday at Battle Arena 77 in Coventry, England. Fans can expect an exceptional professional card, warmed up by a tasty amateur card.
Ahead of a monumental moment in his mixed martial arts journey, we had the chance to have a small word with Dorian Swiatkowski. Hear all his thoughts below.
Interview With Dorian Swiatkowski
Next Saturday, you make the walk to the cage for the first time as a professional mixed martial artist. How has preparation altered as opposed to you preparing for an amateur fight?
One of the biggest changes for the pro fight was my getting ready for 5-minute rounds. Having been through longer rounds in sparring I feel confident I got the gas tank to outwork my opponent even if the fight goes all three rounds.
You leave the amateur ranks behind with a very credible record. In your own words, how would you sum up your time competing as an amatuer? Is there anything you would have done differently upon reflection?
I’ve picked up a couple of losses in my amateur career, but I don’t regret anything. They were all against good opponents, and I’ve never said no to any fight. I’m glad to know that win or lose, I’ve never had a boring fight.
Dorian Swiatkowski Talks Pro Debut
Making your pro-debut can be a daunting task as you embark on what could be a life-changing career. What did the conversations look like between you and your coaches? How did you know the time was right to take that leap?
I knew I wanted to fight professionally from before I stepped into the gym for the first time. There’s no point waiting any longer I need to see how far I can go before I’m too old to compete.
As mentioned, your debut is a monumental moment in your career. What small/long-term goals have you made for yourself?
I don’t really have set goals like that. I just know what I want and what needs to be done to get there. For example, I want to be a better fighter so I train hard and challenge myself against good opponents. That said I do plan my moves and aren’t just aimlessly wandering through my career. I hope to get a few wins hopefully some highlights and start looking at getting onto bigger and bigger shows.
Opponent Change
In Coventry, you’ll face Urmat Jakshybaev. What do you know about him, and how do you feel about this fight for your pro-debut?
Jabeed is more experienced than my original opponent, which makes me far more excited for the fight. He has a good record, so a win over him will be a great start to my pro career.
A solid win will kickstart your pro career with a bang. What will the remainder of the year look like for you, will you look to get another in, or is that you until 2024?
I hope to get one more fight in this year, maybe two if possible. Next year, I’d like to stay active and challenge myself against better and better opponents on my way to the top.
