Youcef Whitelaw returns to action at Badmofo MMA 6 in Barnsley, England, on July 15th, and believes his opponent Zamaan Al-Islam is the perfect man “to put away in spectacular fashion”.
Whitelaw is no stranger to the BMF crowd after he recently made his MMA debut with the promotion earlier this year at BMF 5. The Higher Level MMA fighter put on a mature performance to get his hand raised against Corin Smith over three rounds.
Hungry to keep the train rolling on, Whitelaw feels he can display an even better version of himself next Saturday in the Barnsley Metrodome. Ahead of the fight, we had the pleasure of catching a word with Youcef Whitelaw. Hear what he had to say below.
Interview With Youcef Whitelaw
Youcef, 1-0, a clean, composed, dominant showing in your debut, just as you called prior to stepping in there. How have things been since you made your debut, and was it everything you expected?
Not really, to be honest. I expected the opponent to deploy a completely different game plan. Despite being a brown belt, I was expecting him to be more confident in keeping the fight on his feet as he’s had more success in the past striking. However, once he saw my movement and saw I was getting into my rhythm, he turned into a major ball sniffer fast. I mostly expected to get my hand raised thought, and that’s what happened, so in a way, everything went to plan.
In reflection on your debut, it really was a great showing, but fighters are often their own biggest critics. Were you totally satisfied with your performance, or was there anything you weren’t completely happy with?
Looking back, I can see that in the 2nd and 3rd, he was done, and I could’ve definitely capitalised and pushed for a finish. The first round was pretty 50/50 as he had a wild start, something I’m not used to as I spar against elite athletes that take a more calculated approach to the game. This is something I’ll need to deal with, I believe, until I climb the ladder and start to face more solid competition.
Youcef Whitelaw Talks Calmness
I was extremely impressed with the way you moved in there, given it being your first fight. It looked like you had been in there numerous times before. What do you put that down to? The rounds upon rounds in the gym with the great bodies you have at your disposal?
That’s exactly it, mate. Surround yourself with calculated killers, and you’ll become one.
You’ll face off with Mohamed Zamaan Al-Islam, who enters with a 1-1 record. Looking at his previous fights, what are you expecting him to bring come fight night?
I reckon he’ll come in looking to get a nose full of my Niagara Falls. If he’s lucky, I might fart in his face and give him something tasty to smell.
The BMF faithful saw a lot from you in your first outing under their lights. Give them a teaser, although it’s a short time between your last fight and next weekend. What improvements can we expect to see from you?
I don’t even think they did, tbh. That was a small taste of what I am capable of. Now I know I’m comfortable in that setting, it’s time to step it up a notch.
The Fight
Despite a calm and composed performance at BMF 5, you did mention you were disappointed not to get the finish. Is that something you’ll be hunting this time around, or are you happy for it to just happen when it happens and not go chasing it?
If it comes it comes, however, I will be pushing the pace more in this fight, and I believe this is the perfect opponent to put away in spectacular fashion.
Finally, leave us with your official fight prediction and any last words for your opponent.
Two-round KO/TKO. I’ve not washed my balls in weeks, so good luck.
