Fury FC are returning on July 12th as they host Fury FC 93. Fury FC 93 will see Lorram Esteves who will be looking to compete in the main event against Alfred Walker. Lorram Esteves is coming into this fight on a 3 fight-winning streak. His last fight was a unanimous decision victory against Gabriel Macario. On the other side of the main event, Alfred Walker is making his debut within the Fury FC banner. Alfred Walker is coming off a featherweight title fight defeat to Elijah Johns in LFA. Combat Sports UK has been able to have the honour of interviewing fighters before their fights to get an insight into how they feel going into their fight. Combat Sports UK was able to speak to Alfred Walker ahead of his main event fight this Friday.
Alfred Walker on His Last Fight
In Alfred Walker’s last fight, it was in a title fight for the LFA featherweight title. Unfortunately, Alfred Walker was unsuccessful as he lost due to a unanimous decision and I was curious to see how Alfred saw that fight and what he has gone on to improve on;
“I don’t see that fight as a loss. I accepted the fight on 8 day notice, my decision. Did I win that fight? No, I didn’t. To fight a guy on 8 days and still go the distance screams how much of an athlete I am. He controlled the fight with his wrestling and never tried to fight me. Anything he done while we was on the ground i neutralized it. I knew I was a better fighter but I was facing more dilemmas than the norm. I have things i do getting ready for fights that i knew i wasn’t ready for a fight better yet for a world title.”
“I felt I could finish him. Seen the opportunity in the second round and didn’t capitalize like i would normally do. I had coaches telling me it wasn’t smart but I took the fight knowing he wasn’t a better fighter than me. With any kind of camp it wouldn’t go the distance. On top of not having a camp I cut 27lbs in 7 days making championship weight, I’m nothing like the rest of them. I love striking so before the Johns fight striking was all I’d do unless I was getting ready for a fight, now the grappling is mandatory and I enjoy evolving into the fighter I’m becoming.”
Alfred had taken this fight as he knew what kind of an opportunity it was even with his coaches advising him not to take the fight. However, even with going into this fight, Alfred feels he was able to showcase his abilities. Elijah tried to keep the fight on the ground as he didn’t want to try and grapple with Alfred which shows respect to how much Elijah respected his striking. However, Alfred is coming into this fight being able to have a proper weight cut and not having to push himself to make weight. Alfred has also improved in his grappling ability so even though he was able to have success before he will be even stronger this time around.
Training Camp
Last time in his title fight Alfred accepted this fight on only 8 days’ notice. This meant he didn’t have a proper training camp dedicated to that fight in particular. This time around Alfred has been able to focus everything into this fight and he was able to analyse his opponent properly. I was able to ask Alfred how he thought this training camp had gone for him. Responding Alfred said;
“Training has been great, I’m chasing greatness so one fight isn’t gonna change my mindset. I know who I am. In order to be great in this sport you gotta be well rounded in striking, grappling and wrestling. My striking is world class, I’ve realized just my striking isn’t going to get the job done. I’ve been able to put the people in position to help me grow as a fighter and soon the world will know who Alfred “FreightTrain” Walker is.”
Alfred has come into this fight off the back of a great training camp which is important to have success. Walker has been able to bring in fighters who are going to make him a more well-rounded fighter. Alfred has confidence in his striking however, he has been able to improve his grappling ability. Alfred is ready to make sure the world knows what his name is and get him to the big stage.
Grappler vs Striker Match-up
This fight will definitely show us if his wrestling has improved. This is because his opponent Lorram Esteves doesn’t have any knockout victories however, has had 6 submission victories and 2 decisions. I was curious to see if Alfred sees this fight as being a grappler vs striker match due to this. Responding to this Alfred explained;
“I’m getting ready for a Mixed Martial Arts fight. I’m not worried about what the opponent brings. We’re all training to be the best and on July 12th the work ethic will speak for itself. I’m working on myself and becoming the best MMA fighter I can be.”
Alfred is not worried about what Lorram may or may not bring to the table. All he cares about is what he brings. Alfred is getting ready to become the best all-rounded MMA fighter and he is making sure he works on everything so he is ready for what Lorram may bring.
Weaknesses from Lorrem
During training camp, Alfred Walker will make sure he analyses the game of Lorrem Esteves to work out what holes he may have in his game. I was curious to see what he had found out so far and if there was anything he was looking to take advantage of coming into this fight. Alfred explained when he said;
“I don’t look for anyone’s weakness. We’re all training to be the best. We’re all growing as fighters, especially the level I’m seeking to reach. I just know this kid isn’t on my level and July 12th I’ll prove to the world that I don’t talk the talk I also walk the walk.”
Alfred doesn’t look to see what weaknesses Lorram may have but more what he can improve. Alfred is looking to become the best so is needing to improve as much as he can to become the best all-rounded fighter. When July 12th comes Alfred is looking to show the world the real Alfred Walker and be able to move closer to getting a shot in either the UFC or for a chance for the title.
Who Is Next for Alfred Walker
Speaking about moving closer to the title I was curious to see if Alfred Walker had anyone he was wanting to call out next. Fighters may be going into a fight looking to get a certain fight with a good performance. Explaining about what he had planned Alfred Walker said;
“I want the best. There’s only one way to the top and I’ve knocked off some up and coming prospects already. I accepted to fight Diego López for Fury when they first came to Oklahoma but we couldn’t lock down a price. I now wish I would have accepted the fight seeing how everything has played out for him. Now I’m a fan, training to eventually share the stage with him. If not I’m ok with that, I’ll always compete with the man in the mirror to continue my growth as a professional.”
Alfred is looking for the best that is available. It doesn’t matter who is next as long as it will progress him further in getting to the top. He was scheduled to face off against Diego López however, that fight ended up not happening and Alfred Walker wishes he had accepted it to test himself further.
How Does Alfred Walker See This Fight Playing Out
Every fighter is going into this fight with a certain plan and how this fight is going to play out. Alfred will have an idea of how this fight will go and how he feels this fight will finish. I was curious to see how Alfred saw this fight going and if he had a prediction for the fight. Speaking about where he thought this fight will go and how it will play out Alfred explained;
“I see me finishing him in less than three rounds. With this being a five round fight I have the advantage, he’s never been in a championship fight and he’s known to die as the fight goes on.”
Alfred believes him being able to go the distance will definitely help him going into this fight. Alfred believes that he will be able to get the stoppage in less than 3 rounds. He believes he will have the cardio to go the distance. However, doubts if Lorram will be able to keep up with him as they go into the championship rounds.
Pressure Surrounding Fight Week and from Fans
I was curious to see how Alfred Walker deals with the pressure from fight fans who are expecting a stoppage victory going into every fight. As fight fans, we always want to see a highlight reel stoppage like Max Holloway at UFC 300. However, this can not always be the case due to a variety of reasons. I was also curious to see he deals with the pressure from fight week and all the attention he will be getting from it. Explaining how he deals with it Alfred explained;
“Fight Week is rest Week. There’s no pressure. My last 15 fights I’ve headlined so this is nothing new to me. Yeah this will be my first dance for Fury but it’s what I love to do. True fans know a fight can go so many ways and no matter the outcome they’re still fans. I do this for me while entertaining the fans. Win win situation my opinion. I understand what’s in front of me and I plan on taking advantage of every situation moving forward.”
Alfred is looking forward to it and isn’t in any way nervous about it. Alfred has had the honour of headlining multiple different cards. This definitely has helped him prepare for this event. Alfred also believes that real fight fans of his know how a fight can go and know a finish isn’t always a guarantee. However, Alfred is still confident he is able to put on a exciting fight and be able to win the crowd over even if the fight does go the distance.
Featured image credits to Embed from Fury FC Instagram
