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 Tedrick Macklin ahead of his fight against Devon Dixon
Tedrick Macklin is currently a 6-0 prospect who is coming into this off the back of a 2nd round submission victory last time out. This victory came against Raymond Cardenas. Tedrick Macklin will be looking to keep this momentum going as he looks to get the victory against Devon Dixon.
Tedrick Macklin on His Last Fight
In his last fight, Tedrick Macklin was able to get the submission victory against Raymond Cardenas in the 2nd round. I was able to ask Tedrick how he thought the fight was going and what improvements he had made since that last fight. Tedrick responded by saying;
“I’ve improved massively since the Cardenas fight, it’s been a little over a year, and ontop of that being a relatively easy fight, I overcame him being overweight and getting sick a few weeks prior to the fight. I’m a completely more polished and all around lethal fighter, and I’ve always reserved a few tools for the right opponents in my fights. Dixon is a great candidate to really let some of them go!”
Tedrick Macklin feels this fight was an easy matchup for him however, it was made a bit more challenging. This was due to his opponent coming into the fight overweight and Tedrick not coming in 100%. Tedrick was able to overcome these challenges and was able to get the victory which has set this match-up against Devon Dixon up. Since that victory, Tedrick has been able to improve as a fighter. He has made sure he is stronger and more dangerous on the feet and knows Devon is someone who will stand and trade with him as an opponent.
Success In That Fight
I was then interested to see what Tedrick thought he had done well in that victory. While he did put on an impressive performance especially for not being 100%. I was curious to find out what he thought he particularly did well throughout that fight. Explaining this Tedrick replied saying;
“I controlled where the fight took place. I started a bit emotional and probably had the ability to pick him apart, but I executed my game plan, I knew he had a subpar ground game and exploited his weakness.”
Tedrick admits he may have started the fight a bit emotional however, he was still able to choose where this fight took place. This would have allowed him to use his game plan to find the holes in Raymond’s game to be able to get the stoppage. Raymond has faith in his ground game to be able to finish his opponents and be able to secure a stoppage.
Tedrick Macklin on His Training Camp
Fighters go into training camp and fill in any holes that they may have in their game. Fighters also make sure to watch the tape to be able to see any holes which the fighter they are fighting may have. Being able to have a good training camp is essential to having a good fight as the fighter will be able to learn from mistakes in previous fights. I was curious to see how the training camp has been for this fight against Devon Dixon. Tedrick explained by saying;
“It feels like I’ve been on camp since the beginning of the year! I’ve had a lot of potential that just never really ended up happening, and then I got injured unfortunately which led to another delay. I don’t think I could be anymore prepared for this fight. I wish it was tomorrow haha!”
Tedrick feels he can’t be any more prepared. These two fighters were supposed to fight back in May however, Tedrick had to pull out with an injury. This fight then got rebooked so both these fighters have had plenty of time to come up with the best game plan they can have. Tedrick feels he is ready and he is ready to show the best version of Tedrick Macklin he can.
Weaknesses From Devon Dixon
I was able to ask Tedrick specifically what weaknesses he has seen in Devon Dixon. Tedrick has had plenty of time to prepare for this fight so has had plenty of time to watch the tape to be able to get the game plan sorted. Talking about the weaknesses he has found Tedrick explained;
“I think I’ll just overall be the better athlete and martial artist. The type of pace I bring to the fight and the ability to walk him down. When he feels my power, he’ll panic and do what everyone else does. He’s vastly outclassed in the stand up, and the grappling will be interesting, but stylistically I’ll be dictating when we strike/grapple. He’s on my time, and the speed will just be too much for him ultimately.”
Tedrick believes that he is the better MMA fighter and he will be able to pick the pace of the fight. Macklin will be able to choose where this fight will go and be able to hurt Devon Dixon with the power he possesses. Tedrick sees holes in the stand-up game which will cause Devon problems when he feels Tedrick’s power. Tedrick believes it will be interesting to see how the grappling will be however, said it will be his choosing when they grapple or strike.
How he sees the fight going
I was interested to see how Tedrick sees this fight going and if he has a prediction going into this fight. Fighters will be able to have an idea of how a fight is likely to go even if the fight doesn’t go that way. I was interested to learn what Tedrick thinks about this fight speaking about this Tedrick explained;
“1st/2nd rd ko, how it gets done depends on if he wants to stand in front of me or run away. I hear my right hook isn’t good for your health”
Tedrick has suggested he will allow Devon to choose where he wants to take this fight. Even if he believes in his ability he shouldn’t allow Devon to choose this. This is due to him having a dangerous ground game. While he is letting Devon choose he doesn’t believe this will enter the 3rd round as he thinks he has what it takes to finish the fight before then.
What is Next for Tedrick Macklin
Before a fight a fighter may have another fight in mind if they are able to go and get the victory. A fighter may have another fight in mind due to them wanting to push themselves it doesn’t mean they are taking this fight anything less serious. Speaking about what Tedrick feels is next for him after this fight he explained;
“I’m hoping for a contender or ufc shot primarily. Idc who I fight next but it at the LEAST be for a title. But ultimately let’s jump to the big show.”
Tedrick wants to fight on the contender series or the UFC but would also settle for a title shot. Tedrick believes he has what it takes and thinks a title shot should be next if he isn’t called up. I was able to then go on to ask Tedrick if he believed a call-up was close to this victory. Explaining this Tedrick said;
“Well i have tons of people calling for it and asking for me to be in the ufc so im sure it’s coming soon. Yall tell Sean Shelby we need to talk big show opponents after this one because im coming to shake up the division!!”
Tedrick believes that he is close to a victory that could push him over the edge. Tedrick also said people have been calling for him to go to the UFC. He knows this opportunity will be soon. He will be looking to get the victory this weekend and will be looking at the UFC roster to be able to work out who he wants next.
Fan Pressure
Fighters handle fight week and the pressure from fans differently. Fans are expecting highlight reel knockouts just like the one from Max Holloway at UFC 300. However, this can’t always be the case due to a fighter being tough and not being able to break. It could also be due to the fighter being up on the scorecards and not wanting to risk a defeat. I was also curious to see how he handles the pressure from fight week and the build-up for the fight. Explaining how he handles the pressure Tedrick Macklin explained;
“There’s no pressure. I’ve been competing since I was a kid. I stay relaxed and locked in, but I know what I’m there to do and what I’ll be doing. I just have to let the story play out and create it on fight night.”
Tedrick knows there is no pressure on him as he has been competing since he was a kid. Tedrick knows his capabilities and knows what he needs to do and doesn’t let outside pressure affect him. He knows he has power in his hands and is willing to show this and get his hand raised hopefully it will be due to a stoppage but Tedrick will go and get the job done.
Featured image credits to Embed from Tedrick Macklin Instagram
