Geoff Pavey is entering his Unity Fighting Championship middleweight title bout with Jake Smythe filled with confidence, and see’s no legitimate path to victory for his opponent this Saturday.
Unity Fighting Championship is set to take place this Saturday in the Dolphin Centre in Darlington. As it stands, the fight card consists of fourteen bouts, with two titles up for grabs in the main and co-main event of the evening.
Ahead of the main event title fight in his own backyard, Geoff Pavey spoke exclusively with Combat Sports UK in the leadup to fight night. See the middleweight thought’s below.
Interview With Geoff Pavey
We are vastly approaching fight night this weekend in Darlington. You have the opportunity to kickstart your year by attaining a championship belt. That must be motivating, right? What will it mean to you to pick up Unity Fighting Championship gold this Saturday?
I am highly motivated by this fight. To be able to showcase my skills in front of friends in my home town means a lot to me. Getting a title is just the icing on the cake.
You had a fairly busy year last year, with four outings going 2-2. In your own assessment, how satisfied were you with your 2022 year in competition?
I am satisfied with how I finished last year, picking up a different middleweight title on UFC legend Ian the machine freeman’s show. I was very active but planned on having two additional fights that did not go ahead because of pullouts.
Although I am still disappointed in the result from my last time on UNITY, I lost via RNC because I rushed in after nearly knocking him out twice. I won’t make the same mistake again.
What would you say was the biggest lesson you gained last year in terms of MMA?
As I said in the previous question, don’t smother your work. I lost on UNITY last year because I rushed in after rocking him. I won’t make a mistake twice.
Geoff Pavey Talks Early Amateur Career
You started your amateur career by dropping your first three bouts. However, something seems to have changed in your game, winning your last two and by stoppage. What do you feel’s changed in order for you to get those results at the back end of 2022?
I started my career off fighting at super-welterweight and welterweight. I feel this weight is too light for me. I am a big guy, and the weight cut is hard. I had to focus more on losing weight than technique in the camp when I fought at a lower weight. I am a natural middleweight and perform so much better fighting heavier.
How important is it for you to take part in grappling competitions in-between fights? Have you felt the benefits of doing so? If so, in what way?
I think it is very important to stay active in and out of camp. There is no such thing as to much time on the mats. My grappling and wrestling have improved so much in the last year by training with world-class grapplers and wrestlers such as Shaun Matthews and Michael Sudron. And by competing in competitions such as SUBFIFTEEN and empire.
Talk to me about how the fight originally came about with Jake Smythe. I know he was originally set to face James Marley. Did you get the call as soon as that fight fell through, and was there any hesitation on your end, with perhaps a lack of time to prepare for a title fight?
I was already planning on fighting on UNITY, but my opponent pulled out back in January. I did a full fight camp, waiting to get rematched. Rick rang me as soon as Marley got injured and could not fight and asked if I wanted it. Without hesitation, I said yes. I hadn’t looked at Jake Smythe when agreeing to fight him. I’ll fight anyone with any record. I dodge no one. If you want it, you can have it. I watched Smythe’s fights after I accepted, and I wasn’t impressed.
Saturday Night’s Matchup
Now the fight’s set to go down this Saturday. Have you had time to study the game of Smythe? What do you think of the matchup as a whole and the dangers he brings to the cage?
I watched his fights and wasn’t impressed; he is a big stiff cross-fitter. He isn’t a danger to me in the slightest. If anything, he should be worried about me. I’m coming to make a statement; I’m going to send him back to London with a loss on his record and his tail between his legs.
Jake recently posted, “I’m not coming to mess about, I’m coming to fight.”, and “same job, different opponent.” Do you have a response to that?
For starters, James Marley would have made mincemeat of him. This kid is delusional if he thinks he is in with a chance of beating either of us.
After a successful end to 2022 for you. What are you looking to get from 2023? If I spoke to you a year from now, what position are you hoping to be in that would make you pleased?
My plan is to take this title and become the double champ. Have 1 or 2 more fights at amateur, then hopefully go professional.
What to Expect From Pavey?
For those that haven’t watched you compete before, why should they tune in on Saturday night? What can they expect from a Geoff Pavey bout?
Fireworks. I’m not going in there with the intention of letting the fight go the distance. Iv been there and done that in my debut. I feel I won that fight against Winiarski but lost via split. I’ve since asked him for a rematch three times since then, but he’s running scared. I don’t plan on leaving it to the judges ever again.
Finally, readers love to know the fighter’s predictions and how they envision the fight unfolding. Can you enlighten the audience on how Geoff Pavey gets his hand raised with the Unity FC middleweight belt strapped around his waist?
Whether it’s via ko or submission, I can’t tell you that. What I can say is my grappling is better than his, and my stand-up is better than his. He will not be lasting all three rounds in there with me.
Featured image credits to Geoff Pavey
