MMABay’s EXCLUSIVE interview with Iain ‘Badman’ Martell
With just two weeks until his first trip into the cage in 2012, top UK prospect Iain ‘Badman’ Martell sat down for a chat with MMABay Radio’s Brad Wharton. After a blistering start to his pro career in 2011, Martell is looking to make 2012 his year, and discussed his training at Kaobon, his upcoming fight and constant desire to improve.
Martell has followed the Bruce Lee philosophy when it comes to training – taking a little bit of everything and keeping what works. We asked him how his recent training had been going as he approaches his fifth pro fight…
“Training has been wicked mate. I’ve been back at Kaobon up in Liverpool, and it’s just better and better every week. I feel great…I’m fit, I’m strong, my weight is good…and I’m developing every day, y’know? Every part of my game is getting better. I’m just looking forward to the fight, I really can’t wait.”
One thing is for sure; the Martell that steps into the cage on February 4th is a different beast from the one that made his pro debut a year ago. We asked Iain exactly how different…
“Oh wow…Well last year I was a baby. Last year I knew the jist of jiu-jitsu, wrestling and I knew I could swing my fists. But now I’m a complete mixed martial artist, I can work in every area. I’m not the complete package at all y’know…I’m a five out of ten…but I’ve got skills in every area and I’m dangerous in every area. Now I feel that we’re starting to get somewhere.”
The first obstacle that many athletes have to overcome in a new year is getting back into the gym after the holiday break. With strict diets and fitness regimes, for many fighters the holidays are a time to pig out and hit the beers, but Martell’s love of training has made the transition back to reality an easy one.
“I did have a week off, or two weeks off…had a drink and ate a load of shit…but I can’t stay away from the gym! Whatever happens I want to be in the gym…I have to. There’s nothing better for me in life, I just want to get better, so there’s been no time off period or rusty phase, it’s been good.”
Iain was originally scheduled to face the highly-touted Nick ‘Headhunter’ Chapman for the UCMMA light heavyweight title, before an injury put paid to the bout. Iain gave us his thoughts on the situation.
“I was livid, because my heart was set on it….I just had my heart fixed on something and us fighters, we are emotional guys. We’re not normal, y’know (laughs)…I had my eyes fixed on it and I wanted it. But things happen, maybe it was a blessing in disguise. But I hope Nick gets better and recovers well. Hopefully it’ll happen in the future.”
Almost as soon as Chapman was out, a replacement was found and Martell had a new opponent to prepare for. We asked the Badman what he knew about his new opponent, Mohamad Ali, and how he expected the bout to go.
“I know he’s a strong guy, more of a wrestler…a confident guy. I’m gonna push the pace in the fight, he’s gonna try and take me down. I don’t think he’s gonna stand with me and if he does, it won’t be for very long. It’s gonna be a fast fight, it’s gonna be exciting whatever happens! I’m gonna go at him and try and finish the fight wherever I can, whether it be submissions, ground and pound or by knocking him out!”
Elsewhere on the card, hard-hitting Linton Vassell takes on powerful grappler Przemyslaw Misiek for the vacant light heavyweight belt. Although Martell himself is not looking past his upcoming bout, rumours abound that he will face the winner of Vassell and Misiek later in the year. We asked Iain for his take on the highly anticipated contest.
“It’s gonna be a wicked fight! Linton is a nice guy, I respect him, and he’s good at what he does. Miseik, I think, is a blackbelt. He comes from a great gym, London Shoot. I can’t really call it! I just can wait to sit there, with a Red Bull in my hand watching them go at it. So it’s gonna be a great fight, and a brilliant card…Ultimate Challenge have really put the work in on this one!”
Check out the full interview on Sunday’s episode of MMABay Radio, or click the video above! UCMMA 26: takes place at London’s Troxy Theatre on February 4th. Check out www.UCMMA.com for tickets.
By Brad Wharton. Follow me on Twitter @MMABayBrad
Thanks to Harry Shoebridge at UCMMA for setting up the interview.
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