Craig Skelton is not short of confidence heading into his clash with James Saville this Saturday in Barnsley at Badmofo MMA 5.
Skelton enters the bout at (2-5) and has always taken pride in willing to take tough matchups, wherever and whenever. The man standing across the cage from him, Saville, has 24-pro fights to his name, dating back to 2009.
Looking forward to Saturday night, we had the pleasure of catching up with Craig Skelton. Read the full exclusive below.
Interview With Craig Skelton
Fight night is closing in, and you make the walk for the first time in 2023. You’ve had somewhat of a little break to reset and recover. How are the body and mind feeling since the last time we saw you?
Since my last fight, I’ve been focused and made sure I have correct team and correct people around me to make me the best version of myself. My body’s in its prime, and my mind is now bulletproof. I’m excited to show what the work I’ve done mentally and physically on Saturday night.
We last saw you on FCC 29 in mid-2022. In terms of the fight, what do you feel went wrong in there, or are you putting it down to just one of the nights where you get caught?
The last fight on FCC was a tuff pill to swallow. I had an opponent change on four days’ notice. I planned to spank Jamie Hay and focused a lot on leg locks for his game, then ended up with another opponent. I’m not making excuses, but I was stuffed mentally with a lot going on in my private life and also having a staph infection for the last two weeks of the fight camp, which hindered my whole body.
In terms of the fight, I shouldn’t have taken it, but I was practically homeless and needed the money. The shot never hurt; I was never out, and I managed to turtle after throwing an up kick. And he landed two shots. Then the referee was keen to jump in. I remember fighting Warren Mason and having to hit him 24 times clean until the ref stepped in, so it was very frustrating. It’s one of them, so I got to just love forward and put it on the next one.
Craig Skelton Talks Mindset
You’re always taking on the toughest fights regardless of records and always eager to challenge yourself. Where does that mindset come from, and do you feel that mindsets sometimes set you back somewhat in terms of results?
Yeah, haha, the saying “anyone anywhere “is my motto. There are hundreds of fighters out there that say they want it, but they don’t. I don’t give a **** if my opponent is 5-0 or 2-7. If it’s going to be a good scrap, you got to do it. I could have easily padded my record out and been 7-0, but it just makes you look stupid.
A few of my fights have been injuries or DQs that were the wrong decision, but again, we move forward.
You found success on BMF’s first instalment in 2021. What do you need to do to find the same success this Saturday against James Saville?
On Saturday, I plan on showing everyone who I am and what I can do. Even if it was Alex Volkanovski or Mike Tyson, it’s not about them; it’s all about my performance and my journey.
Training at Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA
I saw you spent some time in Phuket, Thailand, soaking up the rays and repping the benefits and high-quality training at Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA. Firstly, how much did you think played a role in your development, even picking up little things here and there, and secondly, what advice would you have for someone apprehensive about travelling out to Thailand to train?
Yes, I spent five weeks in Bangtao. I booked it and went out on my own and didn’t know a single person. I came back with friends for life and a complete mindset. For me, it was the right time for everything to evolve. I was training with Alex Schilds most days, the Hickman brothers, Woody alongside Eric Splicey, Dareen Till, Jeremy Kennedy and Brendan Loughnane. If you can’t swim with sharks, you’re going to get eaten. And I was in every session working on my mind and my skill set. I’m excited to come and show what I’ve got and how different a person I am. It’s not just the mma that changed; it’s been my life, my head and my attitude.
Anyone thinking of going, just go. You won’t regret it.
James Saville
James Saville is a heavily experienced amateur and professional and has been competing for a very long time. In terms of the matchup, how do you feel about it, and how do you think you guys match up against one another in terms of skill set?
I’m looking forward to this fight. I remember when I was an ammy and starting out, he was in Bamma and Cage Warriors. I looked up to him. Also, I think I’ve trained alongside him. He’s a good fighter with lots of experience, and for me, it’s the perfect match to prove I am coming into my prime.
He’s a great grappler and slick striker. I truly believe when I say this, I am better than him everywhere. I’ve been working very hard on my wrestling for the past year, and no one is taking me down. I’m subbing browns and black belts and keeping control. If I want to take him down, I will. If I want to strike, I will. It’s all about where I want to take it. The fact we are fighting at 70kg instead of 66kg shows how much I want this. I’m a small featherweight, and at lightweight, I’m walking around fully fueled and last few weeks, been smashing my PB’s.
Saturday night, you get the win and return to the win column. What’s next for you for the remainder of 2023?
What’s next for me? I’d like to fight Jamie Hay next as he’s pulled two times and then calls me out all the time and loves a drunken FB message telling me he’s game, then anyone who wants it, bantamweight or feather.
When you put your head on the pillow at night, what type of fight do you envision from James, and can you leave us with your official fight prediction?
When my head hits the pillow, I get up early every morning, knowing I’m preparing for the scraps I’m his prime. So that drives me to get after it. The fights going to be technical with a lot of violence. Don’t get me wrong, I respect James, but I’m coming for a finish.
Featured image credits to Graham Finney Photography
