Jack Banks is all set to make his mixed martial arts return after a three-year break from competition.
The amateur fighter will feature on Almighty Fighting Championship 30 this Saturday live from the Barnsley Metrodome.
Ahead of fight night, we had the opportunity of catching up with Jack Banks, who discussed his time out, the evolution of the sport, and much more.
Interview With Jack Banks
Several days out from you making the walk for the first time in three years. What’s the feeling like now to be back in fight week after a long period away?
I feel much better this time around, even with the three-year layoff. Fight camp has gone very well, and I feel much stronger than the last. We’ve got a really good fight team coming through now, so it’s good to have that extra push from my training partners.
Talk to us about the long layoff. You made your debut and then haven’t fought since. What was the reasoning behind it?
I was ready to get straight back in, in-fact I fought on Saturday and was back training on Monday, I knew where I needed to make improvements, but unfortunately, we went into lockdown three weeks later (so that was a slow year), having that time to reflect really helped me, and I realised I was still very young so decided to have a couple of years of just training before making a return.
Have you been training consistently throughout that three-year stretch, or did you take a break completely?
Other than the lockdowns, I’ve been training consistently and feel I’ve gotten much better. I’m more technical, more relaxed and have put on a bit of size.
As mentioned, your debut didn’t go your way. How did you handle that loss, and looking back now, can you take anything from the fight three years ago?
It’s one of those things with this sport. It doesn’t always go your way. I’d say I handled it the best I could, and I only really see it as a positive. I’ve been working on my mistakes and sharpened up. I’ll be a totally different fighter come May the 27th.
Jack Banks on Changes in the Sport
The sport can change so quickly over the years if you’re not actively competing. Have you seen any notable changes from the outside looking in?
Suppose I’m honest, not really. I do keep an eye on the amateur events, and it’s good to see other people progressing. It makes me hungry to do that myself. Im sure this fight will be the beginning of that.
Although you’re coming back after a long time out, you’ll meet Sam Mastropitetro, who currently finds himself on a bit of a skid. Does that give you a slight sense of comfort knowing you’re not coming straight back into a shark tank against a guy who’s finishing everybody put in front of him?
The opponent doesn’t really matter that much to me. I will fight my own fight no matter who it is. We are both going in hungry to get the win, and I think it will be an exciting fight. I’ve done my studying, and we feel we have a solid game plan to put into place.
You posted you’ve “got some things to get straight.”. Tell the viewers, what are those things, and how do you hope to correct them?
Obviously, coming off a loss isn’t ideal, so I’m looking to level out my record, and I’m not going in there to knock the rust off; I will be taking the fight to him, so he best is prepared. Im looking for a finish, but if it doesn’t come, im more than prepared for a three rounds of war.
Finally, just highlight what it would mean to you to return to the cage after three years out and get your first win under your belt.
I cannot wait to get back in there. It’s what I love to do. As I say, I’m hunting for a finish, so you can expect 100% intensity from the start. Getting the win would just be the first of many.
Featured image credits to Battle Arena
