Aidan Rooney is set to make the walk this Saturday at Golden Ticket Fight Promotions 23, and is eager to keep his 100% finish rate intact.
GTFP 23 will take place at the K.K Steelmill in Wolverhampton, England. Those attending can expect to see hard-fought action from the opening fight. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the promotions website.
Aidan Rooney enters the fight 4-0 and will square off with Jack Henshall on the night. Ahead of the battle we had the chance to catch-up with the amateur prospect.
Interview With Aidan Rooney
It’s fight week, Aidan. It’s nearly time to make the walk again. Having made the walk five times already in your amateur career, is the process second nature, or do you still go through all the same raw emotions?
I still go through the same rush of emotions, but feeling the emotions is beginning to feel routine, so rather than fighting becoming less intense as an experience, I feel like I am just getting used to it.
You’ve had an incredible amateur run thus far. What do you put that success down to?
I think my ability to find a way to win has a lot to do with it, which has, of course, come through submissions thus far, as I have started a couple of fights on the wrong foot but being able to make the correct adjustments to get the win while in the cage has been a huge part of my success.
I saw you recently got awarded your purple belt. Can you summarise what that means to you and for your coaches to notice your hard work day to reward you with that belt?
My purple belt oddly felt less emotional than my blue belt, but I think it certainly felt like I had reached an important milestone in my ju-jitsu, which is encouraging and rewards the time I spend in the gym.
Aidan Rooney on His 100% Finish Rate
Many fighters with 100% finish rates and winning records find it hard to identify flaws and holes in their performance. Given your performances, is it difficult for you to go back and assess your holes and mistakes?
I have taken something from every fight regarding my mistakes, as they seem very clear to me in all of my fights, even down to small details such as the way I finished even my successful submissions.
Saturday night, you’ll face Jack Henshall. What do you know about your opponent, and how do you feel you match up against one another?
I know Jack is extremely experienced and has fought in many big competitions, such as the IMMAFs and Four Nations, including a Four Nations gold medal this year. He has a high-volume striking style and seems to have very good cardio, also. I think there are weaknesses in his game, however, that have previously been exploited, and I will aim to do the same, with all due respect to him.
Jack is very experienced. Do you expect that amateur experience to play a factor on fight night, or do you feel you’ve seen everything he offers?
I think his experience will show up on fight night, and I expect to find him making mid-fight adjustments, as well as knowing how to win rounds, which I have less experience in.
GTFP 23
Saturday night at GTFP 23, what does Aidan Rooney need to do to ensure his 100% finish rate stays intact but his undefeated record remains?
Saturday night, I need to stay composed and show all the improvements I’ve made in the gym since my last fight, as well as make sure I find a way to finish Jack so as not to leave it in the hands of the judges.
We know what we can expect when you step in from the opening bell, but for those who may not have watched you, give them a tease on what to expect when the cage door closes on Aidan Rooney.
People should expect to see me chase the finish in this fight, as I have done before, with my submission game, particularly my chokes.
One year from now, where do you see yourself? What’s the goal?
I don’t really tend to look into the future and try to envision where I will be, but I would like to have a few more belts and a top-10 ranking on Tapology.
Finally, do you have any last words for Jack before you both step in on Saturday night?
Good luck Jack.
Featured image credits to Rise and Conquer
