Stepping into the cage with a positive spirit and lessons learned from a dynamic 2023, Kieran Halliday gears up for his 2024 campaign, first up at Unity FC in the Dolphin Centre in Darlington.
In an exclusive pre-fight interview, Halliday shares insights on his mindset, reflections on last year’s debut, and the unwavering to improvement and expanding his skill-set in all facets of mixed martial arts.
With back-to-back losses fueling his fire, Halliday opens up about adjustments made, camaraderie in the gym, and his straightforward approach to facing opponents, including a memorable quote on how he plans on getting the job done against Jack Cochran. As Kieran Halliday prepares to showcase his evolution on Feb. 17, this is a glimpse into the determined mindset of a fighter ready to leave it all in the cage and reclaim victory.
Kieran Halliday Ready for Battle at Unity FC
Kieran, all set to kickstart your 2024 campaign next month at Unity FC. How’s the mindset and general feeling going into the new year?
I feel fine, mate, I always say it’s just a fight or another day in the gym, and this year will be no different; the only reason I’m in there is that I enjoy it, so the morale is good.
2023 witnessed you undergo your debut in your year in MMA. Upon reflection, what are your overall thoughts on the year and the lessons you’ve taken from that?
Yeah, it was a good laugh of a year. Camps, diets, injuries, and nights in the gym annoyed Iain. I didn’t end the year brilliantly, but it is what it is. It’s a fight. Someone wins, and someone loses, but I’ve learned a lot from getting in there.
You finished the year with back-to-back losses, and you strike me as someone who’s straight in the gym adjusting and working on what went wrong. What do you feel went wrong, and how have you corrected that ahead of Feb. 17?
I had back-to-back losses, but on two short-notice fights a handful of weeks apart, I said I’d fight a minimum of three times last year, and I honoured that by finishing the year the way I did. I’ve worked on a handful of things and kept evolving my striking, hopefully getting to showcase the new kick I learned on the ranch.
Preparing With Team Mates
You’ll be joining some teammates on the card. What’s the vibe like in the gym when training and preparing for war alongside your brothers?
It’s always a good buzz when there are a few boys fighting; sparring gets a bit harder, but we always have a laugh and get each other through it; once we get the music sorted out, I feel we’ll truly have cracked the code to a happy gym.
You’ll look to right the wrong of your last outings. A new year, a fresh start, and a clean slate. What improvements are you eager to showcase, and where have you made those improvements since the last time we saw you?
I’ve found more comfort in being in the cage and keeping my composure; I’m finding that I’m constantly improving bits of my game with Iain, who’s a class Judo thrower-guy and a great striker; his all-round skill set makes improving a piece of piss.
When I spoke to Jack pre-fight, he said you look like a “game lad” and use hold a win over the same guy in Joe. That said, what do you see/think when you look at his game and the threats he possesses?
He’s a good wrestler. He showed that against Joe, but I showed a willingness to engage in the wrestling and remained standing. Hopefully, he wants a scrap as well, though, cause that’s what people watch MMA for.
Being Satisfied
What’s Feb.19 about for you? What’s going to leave you satisfied? Is it the win? Is it showcasing improvements, putting some new tools to use, or all of the above?
If I can leave the cage and say I gave everything in there, I’m always happy with that. The main thing is to enjoy it for me, but of course, keep proving we’re Fifes Top Team.
Finally, James said he’ll be returning to Hull with the win. What do you feel you need to do to not make that an accurate statement?
Probably punch him dead hard in the mouth and just stifle his whole plan. He’s a good fighter, but I’m willing to punch him from anywhere.
