Aftab Javed is coming for war as he prepares to make the walk this Saturday at UK Fighting Championship 20.
Javed, fighting out of Reps MMA, enters the Octagon (5-5) in his amateur career. Recently the featherweight, turned bantamweight snapped his four-fight skid by defeating Alex Gil at UKFC 19.
We had the pleasure of catching up with Aftab Javed before his battle this weekend. Read the full exclusive at Combat Sports UK.
Interview With Aftab Javed
Saturday night, you make the walk for the third time this year. How important is it for you to remain active after your two-year layoff?
I’m looking to fight whenever I can. Before my two years layoff, I had eight fights in less than two years, and I’ve always been active. Soon as the lockdown kicked in, it kind of took a hit on me. I stopped training for about a year and wasn’t motivated, but it just made me realise one thing, and that’s how much I love doing this, so I want to be very active in the future.
Talk to me about camp. How has this camp been for you ahead of Saturday’s bout at UKFC? Have you had an extra spring in your step after snapping the four-fight skid you found yourself on?
Camp has been the best one so far, and I know everyone says that, but it actually has. I’m just getting better and better every day and non-stop learning. I went on a losing streak, but I took away a learning lesson after every fight, so at this level, that’s all that matters.
Touching on that if we can. How much did it mean to you to get that victory over Alex Gil and break that bad run? Did you need to battle any mental demons? Or did it just continue to motivate you to progress and move forward?
It meant so much because I put in a lot of hard work day in and day out. I sacrifice so much to be the best I can be, and a win is so much better than a loss at the end of the day. Losing can always be mentally draining, but as I said before, I learnt so much from each fight, win or lose, but I’ll never give up. I’m not made that way. Trust me. I’ve not even started yet.
Aftab Javed Talks Levels
You recently posted, “September 17th. UKFC 20. We show levels”. Tell the viewers, what exactly do you plan on showing on Saturday night?
I’m going to show a different animal. I’ve worked on so much more this camp. I’ve always had the potential and skill, and now it’s finally starting to feel like it’s going to show and come together, especially now I’m at bantamweight.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt in your amateur MMA career thus far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learnt is I was made to do this. I’ve taken on every fight and never said no. I can guarantee I have more experience than some pros out there because I don’t pad my record in fighting anyone. There’s a reason I went on a losing streak because, yes, maybe some fights weren’t smart choices, but I still got the experience. I’ll be ready for anything at pro. I’ve taken fights last minute even though they have 10kg on me, but that’s not stopped me. I want as much experience as I can to get ready for the pro ranks.
I like to ask those I have yet talked to how they found MMA. Do you have any interesting stories in that regard?
Just used to watch UFC all the time and then decided to try it out and never looked back. Never thought about fighting. It was more the training, but it has changed my life.
Javed on Opponent
UKFC 20. The man who stands across from you, Paddy Symes. What do you know about your opponent, if anything, and how do you feel you match up against one another?
I’m not fighting Paddy Symes anymore. He pulled out a couple of weeks ago, but I’m fighting someone from Portugal now. Don’t know much about the new guy. Regardless of who it is il be ready for anything. I’ll be prepared for war.
Lastly, can you give us your official fight prediction?
I’ll finish him in the first two rounds.
Are you with Aftab Javed? Do you think he gets it done?
Featured image credits to Aftab Javed
