Jacob Shepherd is set to face Matthew Dixon for the Almighty Fighting Championship amateur middleweight title at Almighty FC 33.
Shepherd is entering the fight filled with confidence, and rightly so, after finishing both opponents in the two amateur fights he’s had. When he faces Dixon, he doesn’t anticipate the judges will be needed.
Saturday, 25th, November, in the Metrodome in Barnsley, these two will stand toe-to-toe to for gold. Ahead of the battle, we caught up with Jacob Shepherd. Hear what he had to say below.
Jacob Shepherd Promises Extraordinary Showdown
Jacob, two weeks until you return to the cage for the first time since the beginning of the year. Where’s your head at after 9-months of training and getting better?
Right now, I feel great. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I’m sharp mentally and physically and can’t wait to show my skills on the 25.
During those nine months, have you actually been training consistently in the gym, adding to your arsenal, or have you decided to take some time just to recharge the batteries?
Since my last fight in February, I have been training consistently. Yes, I’ve added new skills and refined my old ones; I went out to Thailand for a month over the summer, learned some new things and am excited to showcase my new skills on the 25th.
The Success at Amateur Level
Your amateur career thus far has seen you pick up two wins and two stoppages. Why do you feel you’re finding such success?
I think it’s a mixture of things. Firstly, I’m always looking for a finish. I don’t want my fight to go to the judges. Whenever I step into that cage, I intend to stop the person away from me. My height and reach also give me an advantage over almost everybody in the division and my speed. I train with a lot of smaller guys, which has meant that I have had to be quick, or I’m getting hit.
I believe you were originally scheduled to face Brandon Klein but will now take on Matthew Dixon. Talk to me about the opponent change. Has it impacted your preparation or made you alter your game plan in any way?
The opponent change has had no impact on my preparation. The game plan remains the same. I take into consideration the style of the person, but I don’t get caught up in it. I go in there and inflict my Will on the other person, whoever that is.
More to Show
Although you’ve shown us quite a lot in just two MMA fights, what part of your game have we not seen in full throttle that you can’t wait to display?
I think my full game has not been on display yet. With the improvements I have made, I’m looking forward to showing I’m just as dangerous on the feet as on the ground.
Matthew Dixon, on paper, is the more experienced fighter. What were your initial thoughts when Ray came to you with this matchup?
Matthew is more experienced on paper, but my reaction to finding out the matchup was what it will always be. Unbothered. I don’t care who it is; I want to fight.
Looking back at his previous fights, there’s a lot more tape out there on him than you. Are you impressed by anything he does? Is there any area in his game you know you’ve to be switched on for?
Yes, there is more tape on him, and I will say his hip toss from the cage looks nice, but I wouldn’t suggest he use that on me. It won’t go the way he thinks.
Lastly, I’ll leave you with the final word. Almighty FC 33, Jacob Shepard vs. Matthew Dixon. How does it unfold, and will the judges be needed?
The judges won’t be needed for this fight. With two extra rounds, I have longer to wear him down and make me quit mentally. As far as how I’ll do that, you will have to wait and see, but however it is, you not going to want to miss this one.
