Mateusz Duczmal is excited to make the walk for the second time in his career as a professional mixed martial artist.
The former K1/Muay Thai standout is coming into the bout after a successful debut on Budo FC earlier in the year. He will clash with Scotland’s Jamie MacDonald, who’s riding his own momentum after winning both his professional bouts in the way of stoppage.
Ahead of the fight night in Wales, we had the chance to catch up with Mateusz Duczmal who is filled with confident. See the full interview below.
Interview With Mateusz Duczmal
Mateusz, you reached incredible heights in K1/Muay Thai. What was the reasoning behind making the transition into MMA, and how have you found it thus far?
After a successful career in Muay Thai and K1 and many fights in striking, I started looking for a new challenge, and that’s why I decided to start fighting in MMA. I love the process of learning and challenging myself, it’s a new sport, and even if I Can use my striking experience, I still learn something new every day, and I honestly can’t imagine why I stayed limited to only stand-up formula for so long. So I have a really good approach towards training and the same mentality that brought me success in Muay Thai / Kickboxing. I also used it when I started learning grappling and wrestling. Punching and kicking were always gonna be my first choice, but I put so much effort into becoming more complete that I think I could surprise many people.
Mateusz Duczmal : The Art of Striking
For you, the striking comes naturally, and it’s something that’s probably second nature for you at this point. How has it been learning the grappling, wrestling, and BJJ side of the sport? Before transitioning into MMA, had you undergone any grappling training before?
It’s always tough at the beginning when something it’s totally new, but I really surround myself with the best coaches and team who really care about me and my progression. Liam Cann, my grappling coach from IMA Leeds, spent so many hours levelling up my ground game, Carl Prince, head coach from Manchester Top Team, and all of the guys from MTT really helped me progress fast, and I improved day by day. Also, I have the opportunity to learn from Owen Livsey from Gracie Hull, and Stewart Graham from Hit Squad and spar/training with some biggest names in the sport and some biggest talents, so I have no other option than get better and better/
You made your debut against Jan Lysak at Budo FC earlier this year, where you scored a first-round finish. That said, how did you feel about the fight? Given Jan’s record, can you take any real value away from the fight, or was it just good to get the first one out your way?
Fighting with Jan was to feel the atmosphere and difference between a ring and a cage, feel the nerves and just start the journey. For me, it really has value cause I get some cage time and get used to new things.
Talking Opposition
Scotland’s Jamie MacDonald is the man you’ll face on fight night. How do you feel about the fight and the threats that Jamie possesses?
I feel really good about the fight with Jamie Macdonald, we originally scheduled it for 27 th of May, but it was postponed to the 1st of July. It was a great – long fight camp, and I improved a lot since I changed the big gloves to small gloves. Fighting with Jamie is not going to be easy. He’s a good opponent, much more experienced in Mixed Martial Arts. He’s a good fighter. I would say his main strengths are grappling control and ground and pound. I was impressed with how he defeated Robbie Kennedy, but I know I can beat him, and that’s what I will do on Saturday.
Assuming you’ve watched your opponent’s previous fights, what do you see in his game that you feel you can exploit come fight night?
I didn’t really watch his fights, but my team did. I’m aware of his strong sides, but I like to focus on myself, and I know what I’m gonna bring into the fight. Trust me, with all respect, Jamie never faced an opponent like me.
Finally, leave us with your official fight prediction.
I don’t like predictions. The only thing I’m sure it’s that I’m going to win this fight no matter what. We can go through distance, or it can be finished in the first round, but I will be declared a winner.
Featured image credits to Graham Finney Photography
