Qudrat Safi is fired up and ready to add another amateur flyweight strap to his locker ahead of his bout with Sonny Crossman at Golden Ticket Fight Promotions 20.
Golden Ticket will return yet again with another fun-filled night of fights, and as always, the K.K Steelmill will be the venue that plays host.
I had the pleasure of catching up with a handful of athletes competing on the card. Among them was flyweight sensation, Qudrat Safi. Check out what Qudrat had to say below ahead of his second title fight within a two-month period.
Interview With Safi Qudrat
Just over one week out from fight night, Qudrat. What’s the mindset like leading into another title fight just one month after securing the BMF flyweight strap?
My mindset and goals are the same: get in there and display my skills and get as much experience as possible because my ultimate goal is the UFC. Nevertheless, I don’t mind getting another belt.
Touching on your last contest with Ali Sohaiki. You got the nod on the judge’s scorecards. How satisfied were you with your overall performance? Is there anything you feel you could have done better in there?
I went into that fight with a very experienced opponent and absolutely dominated him in every aspect of martial arts. Obviously, I felt like I could and should’ve gotten a finish, but my team didn’t want me to rush anything and just be more patient, you could say.
Safi Qudrat Talks Strap Season
You called it “Strap Season” in a recent Instagram post. Does your preparation change with it being a title fight, or do you prepare the exact same every fight?
Yeah, it’s strap season I’m coming for all the belts and smashing all these guys. Birmingham, mma is on a roll right now, so it’s only fair I join in the party. I’ve got a good team around me, and the preparation is always somewhat the same. We don’t think about that if it’s a title fight.
For you personally, does it add any motivation to have gold on the line, or again, do you just view it as another fight?
These belts in amateur are nice, but they don’t mean anything to me. I’ve got two at home, so another few don’t really do anything for me.
When you made your debut in 2019, you were submitted. You then took a break from competing and returned with a vengeance, winning your next five connivingly. What do you believe switched for the results to be going in your favour?
This is a very funny story that only my friends and coaches really know about. So in 2019, I didn’t even train for that fight, and it came about so randomly. I was watching some fights on Instagram, and a video of Muhammad Mokaev came up. And he was this amateur phenomenon, so at the time, I didn’t know about amateur mma, but I watched UFC, so I just was looking into it. Then I came across Battle Arena needing some fighters, and I just messaged them, and everything else happened. I went in there, having never done any BJJ, wrestling or striking but hand full of stuff I learned off YouTube. All that aside, the fight personally helped me a lot because It motivated me and kind of sparked a fire inside me.
Amateur Career
From your own view, how would you sum up your amateur career thus far? What other goals have you set for yourself?
I am only getting started. You know, I feel like I’ve done well with four finishes in 5 wins. How many other amateur guys are finishing their opponents?
On Sept 3rd, you square off with Sonny Crossman. What is your honest opinion on his skill-set as a fellow competitor, and how do you feel this matchup suits you?
I will dominate in every aspect of the fight. I can strike, grapple and wrestle, but he cannot.
Do you anticipate Sonny bringing anything to the table you haven’t seen before? Where do you feel his strengths lie?
I know his a kickboxer, but I believe I can outstrike the striker in sha Allah. However, I am prepared for everything. You know I ain’t underestimating my opponent, but he has never been locked up in a cage with an animal like me.
Those who will be tuning in on PPV and attending live. Sell this fight to us. What can we expect from the fight and, most importantly, from you?
Fights are very unpredictable, haha like my coach Dani says, “mma fights are like being in a washing machine” because it’s so crazy. Anything can happen. Either way, my fights are never boring. I come to fight, and when the lion is hungry, he eats.
Lastly, can we get an official fight prediction? How does GTFP 20, Quadrat Safi and Sonny Crossman go down?
And New Flyweight GTFP champion Qudrat Safi via whatever he wants. In sha Allah.
Featured image credit to DN4 Photography
