Bailey Gilbert continues to dream big as we enter the new year. After the best year of his career, the regional triple-champ has his sights set on an opportunity on the upcoming season of Dana White’s Contender Series.
Last year, Gilbert went (4-0), attaining three featherweight titles across three different promotions. At only 23 years old, Gilbert boast’s a 100% finish rate from his eight professional victories.
The Sensei MMA representative began his 2022 campaign by collecting his first title in a headliner on Unity Fighting Championship against Sam Bird. Gilbert cruised his way to victory after securing a head and arm triangle choke in the opening round. Following that, five months later, Gilbert featured in another title fight on British Fighting Championship 3, which saw the youngster bag another first-round stoppage win over Sebastian Koszarski.
To round of the year, in December, Gilbert challenged for the Golden Ticket Fight Promotions featherweight title against his most high-profile name to date, Thomas Paull. Before the fight, Paull had featured on Dana White’s Contender Series but fell short in the first round to Esteban Ribovics. The “Juggernaut” was highly touted to go on to great things, and perhaps still will, but Gilbert ruined his party and dispatched of him viscously in the first round. The win not only marked the young prospect’s third title of the year and fifth first-round stoppage win but also gave him leverage moving forward after picking up his most significant win to date.
In an exclusive interview with Combat Sports UK, Gilbert weighed in on his activity in 2022 and if it was what we anticipated:
Bailey Gilbert Reviews 2022
“I told everyone that would listen at the start of the year after the first win that I would win the Unity belt, then the Golden Ticket belt. Then shows moved around, and I managed to get another one in and win the BFC belt. This ain’t no accident. It was the plan.”
The last time Bailey suffered a defeat was back in 2019, and now rides a six-fight win streak, which all come by stoppage. Everything in his game has come together perfectly at the right time in his career. What does Gilbert put his recent success down to?
“I’ve always grafted my a** off for this since day one. But I moved gyms in 2021 to Sensei MMA, and we’ve got a great thing going. I’ve got a great team around me that all believe in the vision. I’m always on the road sparring with the best guys in the UK and learning from the best coaches picking up as much as I can. I put my heart and soul into this game, and it shows.”
It isn’t easy to pinpoint a highlight after having so many great moments throughout the year, but Gilbert narrows it down to one:
“The whole year has been a highlight! I love this journey I’m on, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I’ve met some great people and had great experiences. If I had to pick one, it would be winning the GTFP featherweight title. To end the year on such a high, winning such a prestigious title against a world-class opponent, it’s the highlight of my career. So far.”
Confidence Being Built Through Hard Work
As mentioned, the victory over Paull at his home show was a testament to Gilbert’s hard work over the years, but the confidence doesn’t come from that one victory alone. It comes from the grind in the gym day-in-day-out. That being said, Gilbert does feel the respect he’s now earned around the circuit with a performance like his last.
“My confidence has always been high. I’ve always believed in my skills and knew I would take this all the way. I thrive under pressure, which showed in that fight running through him on his home show. I’m excited for what’s next.”
“I definitely feel after my last performance. People are putting some respect on my name. I’ve definitely been noticed now by bigger promotions, and I’m ready for the next challenge.”
The belt collecting by Gilbert was awarded with several nominations for awards such as “Fighter of The Year” and “KO of The Year”, filling the triple champ with pride considering how stacked the scene is.
“It’s great to be nominated for so many awards, especially when the UK circuit is as deep as it is now. I’ve dedicated the past eight years of my life to this game, and it’s starting to shine through. I’ve got a lot of appreciation for all the media guys who do what they do and try to help promote fighters. It’s great for the sport.”
Shooting for Dana White’s Contender Series
Having recently defeated a Dana White’s Contender Series contestant, Gilbert wants an opportunity himself in 2022 to fight for a place in the MMA’s pinnacle promotion, the UFC.
“I’d love to get the call for the contender series in 2023. The UFC want finishers, and I’ve got a 100% finish rate, submissions & TKOs. But Featherweight is probably the deepest division worldwide, so if that doesn’t come, then I’ll just keep putting people away until the UFC can’t deny me.”
Do you think Bailey Gilbert gets the call this year to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series?
Featured image credits to Bailey Gilbert MMA
