It’s Adam Battley fight week, which I feel we often hear. The Scotsman is one of the most active and experienced amateurs in the country. He steps foot inside the Octagon on Saturday night once again in the Grangemouth Town Hall at Budo Fighting Championships 48.
Adam Battley will square off against Dundee MMA’s Stuart George, which he feels is a favourable matchup to find himself back in the win column.
I had the opportunity of catching up with Battley before Saturday night. Check out his thoughts below.
Interview With Adam Battley
We are just days out from Budo FC 48. It’s very cliche, but how are you feeling in the lead up this one? With you being one of the most experienced amateurs in the country, does the fight week feel just feel like second nature now, or is there still a bit of nerve and anxiety in the lead up to fight night?
There will always be nerves, I usually don’t get them until fight day, but I’d say you hit the nail on the head there. It does feel like second nature. I’m trying to get as much experience as I possibly can and be as active as I possibly can. Fighting in a cage is a very uncomfortable environment the more I’m in there, the more comfortable I’ll get, and the more comfortable I am, the better I’ll perform.
It feels like you are fighting every few months. How much do you feel that’s benefited you travelling across the country, testing yourself and taking valuable lessons to win, lose or draw away with you?
I’d say it’s benefited me massively. I feel as if every fight, I’m improving bit by bit. I’m fighting really good guys, and that’s only building me to become a better fighter. I also feel myself being more dangerous each time I go in there. I enjoy watching my improvements every fight, and that motivates me to get better every time.
What has been the most crucial lesson you’ve learned in your amateur career thus far?
Being active, like I said, you need to be comfortable in there and rack up the experience before entering the pro ranks. I’d hate to turn pro, wishing I had more cage time as an amateur. I’d also say not caring about results too much if something doesn’t go your way. Who cares? It is amateur. This is where the learning is done. This builds you. Pick yourself back up. If it doesn’t go your way, just go again and again.
Saturday night, you will meet Stuart George, who has been out of competition since 2020. Considering your recent activity as opposed to George’s long haul of inactivity, do you expect that to play a factor in the fight in any way?
I’m sure I saw he had a fight a few months ago, but either way, I never underestimate anybody. Anybody who’s put in front of me that knows what they’re doing I’ll take very seriously. I’ve watched Stuart’s fights. He comes to fight and is a tough individual like me, so I look forward to meeting him in the cage on May 7th.
What do you know about your opponent George, if anything? What do you feel he brings to the table?
I’ve watched some of Stuart’s fights back. He has a few moves, is tough and comes forward. I believe I have the experience and tools to deal with this and look forward to meeting him.
With notable Octagon time banked as an amateur. How much longer can we expect to see you competing as an amateur before making the leap to the pro ranks?
I’ll let my coach Adam Stevenson make that call on when he feels is a good time. I’d like to think the end of the year, or possibly into next year, and have another 3,4 or 5 fights.
Lastly, can we get an official fight prediction? How does Adam Battley get it done at Budo FC 48?
My fight prediction is a TKO/KO in the 2nd.
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Featured image credits to Cage Warriors Academy
