Simone Abley is eager to showcase her striking ability in her upcoming fight this Saturday at Badmofo 6.
Abley will meet the experienced Charlotte Brown in the Barnsley Metrodome. She enters the bout with a 2-2 record and hopes her new confidence in competition translates to the Octagon on July 15th.
Ahead of the fight, we had the chance to catch up with Simone Abley. Hear what she had to say below.
Interview With Simone Abley
Simone, we are closing in on your first MMA outing of 2023. How’s the mindset, body, and overall health after a recharge of the batteries?
The mindset is definitely the best I’ve ever had for a mma match. With a lot of work over the first half of the year, my body is ready to go, and my health is good after having time off from fighting, minus my taekwondo comps at the start of the year.
A recharge of the batteries was certainly deserved after an extremely busy 2022 for you fighting in MMA and kickboxing. Looking back now, what are some of the biggest takeaways from your second year in competition?
My biggest lesson, I’d say, is that I’ve gained a lot more confidence in myself as I’ve always had low self-belief due to trying to be a perfectionist majority of the time, but it’s thanks to Charles. I’ve been able to see what I’m capable of if I set my mind to it and that it can be done.
Simone Abley Talks Recent Bout
In your last MMA bout, you picked up a first-round finish over Danni Ashfield. How happy were you with your performance that night, especially picking up your first stoppage win of your career?
I was rather pleased with myself because I wanted to show people I’m an all-rounder in progress. However, in the fight, I didn’t show my striking the way I should have, and in this next fight, I’m looking to show what I can actually do on the feet.
For those who may not be fully aware of you and your background in mixed martial arts, I know you are experienced in Tae Kwon Do. Can you touch on your background in that discipline and how much having the background helped you transition into MMA?
I started WT Taekwondo when I was four years old and had my first competition at 8. I’m 4th degree black belt. The background has definitely helped me pick up little details quicker than I thought, just from always training from a young age, but I’ve had to adapt a lot of what I do to make the kicks effective in MMA.
Coming from a traditional martial arts background, and in your last fight, securing a submission showcasing you’re a well-rounded fighter. Was that result a testament to your hard work and development as a complete mixed martial artist?
I think it was a result of my hard work, and it allowed me to gain more confidence that I could actually get a finish. I’ve been working really hard on my ground game and feel like it’s just starting to click.
Women’s MMA
Women’s MMA is currently in a great space, with more women walking through the doors of a gym and trying it out. What do you make of the surge in Women’s MMA in the UK, and what advice would you have for anyone eager to try it but apprehensive about turning up and getting that first class under their belt?
I love that more women want to get involved. At TFT, Katrina runs the women’s classes, and now some of the ladies have been coming into the normal classes, which is amazing because it shows more women are gaining confidence and getting stuck in.
The advice I’d have is to get straight into it. It’s a great skill to learn and to get fit. If you are nervous before turning up, that’s good because what I’ve also learned this year is to really push myself out of my comfort zone to help me be the best version of myself.
Charlotte Brown is the girl standing across the cage from you on July 15th. I believe she has double the amount of experience you do. What do you know about the fight, and how do you feel your skills match up against one another?
I feel good about this fight. It’s a good test for me. Charlotte has double the experience in the cage, but I’ve been competing in martial arts since I was eight, so I see myself used to the competition mindset. I feel the fight will be a good one, I’ve been working hard, and I’m sure Charlotte has, so I’m eager to get in and show my improvements once again.
Fight With Charlotte Brown
Finally, what will leave you satisfied waking up on July 16th after you and Charlotte meet? Is it all about wins at this stage for you, or are you mostly focused on developing and your progressing fight by fight?
Obviously, a win would be nice, but I’m mostly focused on performance. I feel if I go in, I have to win. I don’t always perform how I’d like. So I’m going in to stick to my game plan, and the result should follow the performance.
Feel free to shout anybody out, team-mates, or sponsors etc.
I’d like to say thanks to the Healthy Prep Chef, who has kept me fuelled throughout the whole of camp. Kinetic for the regular work with me. To all my training partners who pushed me to my limits this camp, especially Matthew, Joe and Jamie.
Featured image credits to Battle Arena MMA
