Kyle Bastock is set to make the walk to the cage for the very first time in his year this Saturday, April 15th, at Badmofo MMA 5.
The English-based promotion is set for a spectacular night of action in the Metrodome in Barnsley. Thirty-two combat sports competitions are set to unfold, with each fight having significant importance.
Bastock, who was encountered with a late opponent switch. Recently caught up with Lewis Simpson of Combat Sports UK to go through his journey to making his amateur MMA debut.
Read the full exclusive below.
Interview With Kyle Bastock
Saturday night, you make the walk for the first time in your career as an amateur. Would you have believed him if a Kyle Bastock from five years ago said that?
Five years ago, I had very little interest in combat sports. During my time in the military, I did a few weeks of boxing but past that, MMA was never something on my radar. It sounds ridiculous now, but the reason I began training in MMA was that I was planning on taking part in a white-collar event with my friend. Just a spontaneous idea that took off. Anyway, my friend no longer wanted to train, and the white collar was cancelled because of COVID at the time. So I made a choice to continue anyway, and here we are. Something that five years ago I never had any intention or even interest in doing, and now it consumes the majority of my lifestyle, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
As it’s your debut, we’d like to get the audience to get to know you a little better ahead of fight night. Talk us through your background, how you first got involved in the sport, and why it’s a path you decided to pursue.
I started combat sports while I was in training for the military as a medic. I spent five years in the army. And usually, when the time provided it, especially during my last year in the army, I spent a lot of time in the gym. During my deployment to Kosovo, for instance, me and a good friend of mine called James would wake up every morning at 4am to train then go to work. Once we finished work, we’d go to the gym in the evening just to do it all over again. This must have lasted about five months.
Kyle Bastock Talks Making Debut
Making the walk for the first time is a monumental moment in your martial arts journey. How did you know the time was right to make the leap and get the first fight under your belt?
It’s a difficult choice to make when the best time is to make your debut. But ultimately I left that decision to my team at Hypaspists mma. I trust my team, and when they say I’m ready; I’m ready.
Are you somebody who’s watched the sport before you started training? If so, who are some of the guys you like to watch and perhaps inspire you?
I had never watched the sport before I started. Or when I did, it would be fair to call me a casual. But I watched a lot of boxing. And if anyone looks at my Instagram or knows me well enough, I’m a massive fan of Muhammad Ali. I’ve read books, watched documentaries and even articles just to try to discover what makes such a brilliant fighter and character such as Ali.
The 99 Commitment
I’ve seen you doing the Commitment 99 challenge alongside documentation in the lead-up to your first bout. Tell the readers a little bit about that if you can.
The 99 commitment challenge is a challenge that I came up with. Ultimately I’m a Personal trainer, and my job is to help change people’s lives for the better. Introduce good habits and eliminate bad ones where possible. “One of the greatest achievements in life is to be an inspiration to others.” And I truly believe it.
I imagine there are a million and one thoughts running through your mind ahead of Saturday night in Barnsley. That being said, what does Kyle Bastock expect from Saturday night? In your mind, is conveying your first victory under your belt everything here? Or is it just enjoying the moment and experiencing what you’re looking for?
Saturday is one night of many. Of course, I care about the outcome. But the experience, the atmosphere and the development are far more important to me, regardless of the result. This won’t be the last.
Opponent Switch
Your opponent, Liam Stones, has undergone this three times already in his career. So he’s somewhat used to managing and controlling nerves and emotions. Are you worried about his experience playing any role in the fight, or given he’s fairly new to the sport, it won’t be an issue?
My opponent has recently changed. Some unfortunate circumstances came up, and he had to pull out the fight. Instead, I’ll be going against Luke Ellerington. Luke is making his debut but has had a k1 fight in the past. However, managing my nerves has never really been an issue for me. I got faith in the work I’ve put in, my team and myself. Past that, what else could I possibly be nervous about?
You strike me as somebody who likes to make small and long terms goals by looking at your social media. If all goes well, in terms of your MMA amateur journey, what are the small and long-term goals moving forward?
We’ve discussed what the long-term plans are, but nothing is set in stone. Apart from one thing: I’m here to stay.
Finally, what can those travelling to watch you compete expect from Kyle Bastock at BM5, and do you have any last words for your opponent?
I think you’ll be surprised to find a well-prepared, calm and technical approach. I wish Luke all the best. He took the fight on three weeks’ notice and has my respect. I wouldn’t fight me on three weeks’ notice.
Featured image credits to Kyle Bastock
