This Sunday at Rise and Conquer 12, live from the Rainton Arena in Houghton le Spring, Stan Baglee will make the walk following a successful debut stint in Abu Dhabi representing England.
The man looking to spoil his party is Lee Waters (2-1), who’s entering the cage after a massive period of inactivity.
The fight is expected to deliver in front of a loud and rowdy home crowd, but Baglee isn’t letting any external factors impact his performance and is laser-focused just days out from battle.
Ahead of the fight, we spoke with Stan Baglee to see how he was feeling. Read the full exclusive below.
Interview With Stan Baglee
This weekend you’ll step foot back inside the cage at Rise and Conquer 12. It’s been 36 weeks since you stepped in there and represented England at the IMMAF’s in Abu Dhabi. How has life been since that experience?
Life’s been great! After Abu Dhabi, I took two weeks away from the gym, then got straight back to it and have been grafting and improving ever since. Between work and college, I’ve spent my time working on every aspect of my game and loving doing it.
The Abu Dhabi trip was a great way to kickstart your amateur MMA career. Firstly, what did it mean to you to represent your country, and secondly, can you sum up the feeling of leaving with a bronze medal?
To represent my country on debut was a massive honour. Then to be competitive amongst that level of fighter, and come away with a medal, was a real bonus.
What are some of the biggest lessons you feel the experience taught you?
It taught me that I could perform, thrive and enjoy myself in front of large, sometimes hostile crowds in a pressurised situation.
Having had that experience and earning a medal, how much confidence does that give you leading into your clash with Lee Waters?
Abu Dhabi will count for nothing if the best version of me doesn’t turn up on Sunday. I’ve had a great eight-week camp which has gone without a hitch. Along with the excellent coaching, that’s what gives me the confidence that I’ve done everything I can to prepare for whatever comes on the day.
Stan Baglee on Journey Into MMA
I like to ask those I have yet to talk with on their mixed martial arts journey how they got involved and their earliest memory of the sport. Can you remember what made you walk through the gym doors for the first time and begin training?
I played rugby from the age of 7 until I was 16. I always loved the contact element of the sport and stopped playing when the contact element was removed during covid. In 2018 I started boxing but didn’t fully warm to it, so in 2019, after going down a rabbit hole of watching Conor McGregor on YouTube I began training MMA and haven’t looked back since.
Lee Waters is the man coming to Houghton le Spring with the intention of spoiling your party. What do you know about your opponent? If anything, let us know your thoughts and feelings on this matchup for you.
I don’t know much about Lee, but I’m expecting he’s worked as hard as I have, has the same desire to win and that the fight is going to be a battle of wills. That’s what we’ve prepared for. Having dropped down from heavyweight, I’ve never been faster or fitter, so I just can’t wait to get in there and hear the cage door slam shut.
I believe Lee’s been around the game for a long time but has suffered massive hiatus and is returning this weekend. Having had such a long period of time off, what do you anticipate he brings to the cage on fight night?
I’m hoping he brings everything he’s got and let the best man win.
Expectation When Baglee Makes the Walk
For those who didn’t catch your trip to the UAE, can you let them know what they can expect from Stan Baglee when he steps inside the cage?
My coaches have instilled in me that we fight for whatever is in front of us. Nothing preconceived. I will adapt to whatever Lee brings and react accordingly. If he has the same “no quit” attitude as me, it should be entertaining.
To finish off, I’ll leave you with the last words. Is there anybody you’d like to thank or have any last words for your opponent?
I’d like to thank my coaches, my friends and my family, especially my Dad – for running the camp and nutrition. I’d also like to thank Rise and Conquer for putting me on their card. Finally, I’d just like to say all the best to Lee and his team. We’ll see you Sunday.
Featured image credits to Stan Baglee
