The late change of opponent hasn’t fazed Scotland’s Ben Hastie one bit ahead of his second amateur MMA outing this Saturday, April 29th.
Hastie is set to face Rhys Aiyeola-Keys at the Lochgelly Cetnre, Lochgelly, at Goliath Fight Series 3. The event put together by Steven Harris and UFC lightweight Chris Duncan has sold out. Those eager to tune in can watch via pay-per-view.
Ahead of his walk to the octagon, we had time to catch up with Ben Hastie, who dived into his debut, his K1 experience and much more. Hear what he had to say below.
Interview With Ben Hastie
We are days out from you making the walk for the second time in your amateur career. Talk us through the emotions and excitement ahead of Saturday night in Lochgelly.
This date has consumed my life since, I’d say, late February, as I knew I’d be fighting on this show. There has been much excitement and anticipation. However, like every fight week, I’m at the stage now where I am zoned in and ready for the fight on Saturday night. All other emotions don’t really compute with me at this stage.
Originally you were set to face Reber Sofi and now meet Rhys Aiyeola-Keys. Was there any doubt you may not compete at Goliath Fight Series 3, and has the change of opponent caused any disruption in terms of your preparation?
Obviously, there was an element of doubt that seeped in when my opponent pulled out with a week and a half to go. In regards to a change of opponent disrupting my preparation, not at all. In the days when it didn’t look like I had a fight, I still came in and trained like I had a fight, you have to have that mentality in case something pops up, and that’s exactly what happened. Plus, my teammates still needed the bodies to help them prepare for their fights.
Ben Hastie on K1 Experience
About 23 weeks ago, you made your MMA debut after picking up your first win in kickboxing previous to that. Walk me through your debut. It doesn’t come sweeter than that, right? How important was it for you to start your amateur career with a victory?
It was an amazing feeling winning my mma debut, indescribable. Something I had foreseen and visualised for some time. It was important to get that first victory to give me a kick start. That’s in the past now, and I did not sit back and smell the roses for too long. I was straight back in the gym that next week working hard and developing my skills.
How much do you feel competing in K1 prior to your MMA debut helped you in terms of being comfortable and not so oblivious to competition as a whole?
I believe it helped me massively. Getting me used to the nerves, environment, crowd, the feel of the cage, just everything really that comes with fight day. I remember stepping into the cage for my mma debut and thinking, “I’ve been here before. This is not new to me now”. And having that first fighting experience beforehand was a massive contribution to not being oblivious to what to expect when stepping in there.
The last twice we’ve seen you out there, you’ve looked incredibly calm and composed. Where does that calmness come from for someone just starting out their career?
It comes from the strength of my schedule and the time I’ve put in on the mat. Knowing I haven’t missed sessions, cheated on my diet, or been out doing all the wrong things. Just solid hard work and dedication. Another thing is visualisation. I’m a big believer in this. Visualising being backstage, the walk, the announcer, sequences and scrambles in the fight, getting my hand raised and celebrating with my family and friends at the end. Feeling like I’ve already been there before I’ve actually done it.
Opposition
Rhys Aiyeola-Keys is the man you’ll go toe-to-toe with in the Lochgelly Centre. How do you feel about this matchup as opposed to your original opponent Reber Sofi?
The opponent does not matter to me. I’m confident in the body of work I’ve put in. It doesn’t matter who’s across from me; I believe the result will be the same, and that’s me getting my hand raised. I believe Rhys will be a little craftier than my original opponent due to his experience. However, you have to dissociate and not get wrapped up in who you are fighting and rather what you are fighting, different body types, styles etc., and I am confident against whatever.
Despite results not falling in his favour, Rhys does have a good bit of experience and cage time and has fought on reputable shows. Have you managed to watch any of his previous fights back? If so, can you briefly break down the skills he has at his disposal?
Yeah, I’ve watched his fights. He’s fought on good shows and looks like he’s a little bit of an all-rounder and seems game, which is evident of him taking the fight on short notice. I’m sure he’ll bring it but so will I.
Support
I assume many will be making the trip to watch you compete on what is essentially a home show. How much-added motivation does that give you stepping in there when you have the support you have had in the past? How much more fuel does that give you in the tank?
Yeah, I have friends and family coming to watch, which I massively appreciate. However, it won’t compute for me when I’m in the cage. That’s when people let the occasion get to them and have an adrenaline dump. I’ll do my job on Saturday and then celebrate with them all after.
Saturday night, April 29th, what does Ben Hastie need to do to leave with his hand raised at Goliath Fight Series 3?
Remain calm and use all the weapons at my disposal, which have been sharpened during camp. Make that cage mine, listen to my coaches and fall back on the vigorous work I have put in this camp.
Any last words for your opponent or anybody you’d like to thank? I’ll leave you with the last word.
I would like to thank my coaches at the gym, Harris, Scott, Chris, and Ben, who have all helped my progression explode. All my teammates at the gym for the invaluable rounds of sparring/live drills, and lastly, my family, but in particular my mum and grandad. My two biggest supporters.
To my opponent, huge respect for taking this fight on short notice; however, when that cage door shuts, you’re locked in there with me.
Featured image credits to Ben Hastie
