Elliot Durham is set to make his amateur mixed martial arts debut this Saturday at On Top 24 against Dane Conneely at the ON-X Leisure Centre in Linwood.
On Top makes its triumphant return following a long hiatus from putting together events. The Scottish-based promotion was the leading organisation for the up-and-coming Scottish talent for a number of years.
Back with a bang, we had the pleasure of speaking with a handful of athletes competing in Linwood this Saturday. First up, Elliot Durham.
Interview With Elliot Durham
It’s fight week. We are a few days out from you making the walk for the very first time. How are you dealing with the anxiety and nerves in the lead-up to Saturday night?
It’s a weird one. I’m nervous cause I’m not nervous. Just dying for it to be Saturday already so I can get in that cage and do what I love.
Making your debut can be an exciting but daunting time. How long have you been training, and how did you and your coach come to the conclusion that the time was now right to make your debut?
I have been training for two and a bit years, always looking to fight, then one day, everything just came together with my striking and grappling etc. Then I think Iain had taken notice of this and decided that I was ready.
I imagine you have envisioned different scenarios and outcomes to your fight over and over again, which I perfectly normal. Truthfully, do you have any expectations going in there? Not only for yourself but for the experience as a whole?
I’m going in there to do what I love and enjoy it in front of my friends and family. I have no big expectations for when I’m in there. All I’m looking to do is enjoy the moment, I’m a young, healthy kid with loads of fights yet to come, so Saturday night is all about getting valuable experience in the cage.
You are essentially a blank canvas at the moment, with only your teammates and coaches knowing what you’re capable of. That being said, what can your friends, family, and those in attendance expect from you on fight night?
I’m hoping to make a statement when I make that walk on Saturday.
You’ve had a switch of opponents relatively last minute and will now meet Dane Conneely at Catchweight? Did that affect the preparation or game plan at all, or did it not cause much of an issue considering it was your debut?
The game plan for this opponent is staying the same as it was for my last one. The only impact it has had is on the weight, as I haven’t had to cut as much, which just means I can focus on my performance on Saturday night.
What do you know about your opponent, if anything? Does it give you a sense of comfort knowing he’ll be debuting and going through all the same motions as you for the first time?
I have only heard bits about Dane. I know he comes from a good gym with some great guys up at fu dog and is looking to put on a good performance.
Can we expect to see good support for you on fight night? Are there many making the short trip?
Should be decent support from friends and family, got a couple of tables sold and a full bus coming up, so I will have a decent wee crowd there for my debut.
Lastly, can you give us an official fight prediction? How does Elliot Durham get it done?
I genuinely don’t picture a specific outcome. I know it will be both our debuts, and it will be wild. Saying that, I’m hoping we have a great 3 round scrap with me coming out on top.
