Flyweight fighter Elliott Hoye is preparing to return to competition after a two-year hiatus this Saturday at Shock N’ Awe 32.
Shock N’ Awe 32 will take place at the Portsmouth Guildhall with an action-packed preliminary and main card in-store. Fans can expect 26-fights with a mixture of MMA and kickboxing on display.
Hoye aims to capture the flyweight championship this weekend and break a long streak of inactivity when squared off with Aaron Laleye. The 25-year-old enters the contest with a grand record of (7-2) but is coming off a loss in his last outing in 2020.
We caught up with the flyweight prospect ahead of his championship bout with Laleye. Check out the full interview below.
Interview With Elliott Hoye
It’s fight week, something you’ve been eagerly waiting for again. Talk to me, a long time out. How do the process and the nerves/anxiety of fight week feel now you are finally here again or are you just happy to be back, taking it all as it comes?
It feels great, to be honest. I thought I might be more anxious as it’s been such a long layoff, but going through the process again, it just feels right. It feels like this has been missing in my life, and I’m super excited to show off my improved skills.
It’s been over two years since we have seen you compete, which must have been mentally challenging as you were someone who liked to keep active. How mentally taxing has it been on you over the last two years, and how have you found it building back to this week?
It has been difficult at times, but overall I’m a happy guy. I’m grateful that during this period, I was still able to coach full time, so I’ve still been around the team every day, helping them improve. I feel like this had helped to keep me sane during periods when I was unable to train due to injury. Building back up hasn’t been an issue as I feel like I never really left.
Lessons Learnt
A lot can happen in two years. Are there any positives you’ve taken away from the long haul of inactivity, or lessons of that matter?
The most important thing I’ve learned is to be grateful for a healthy body that enables me to train and compete. And also to be grateful to compete again as it is a luxury that can be taken away at any point.
This Saturday, you meet Aaron Lalaye. What would you say to a Lalaye who expects the same Elliot Hoye in 2020 to turn up on fight night?
I think Aaron is smart enough to understand that I have improved significantly in the two years since we last fought. As I am sure, he has also improved.
When offered the fight with Lalaye, what were your initial thoughts on the fight itself, considering you already held a win over him in the past?
Initially, I was just happy to be fighting, as with such a late notice pull out (the 2nd one in 6 weeks), I was fearful that I might not get to fight again.
Elliott Hoye Talks First Meeting With Aaron Laleye
Do you look into the first meeting much and take anything away from it, or are you looking at Saturday night as a completely different fight?
Not really. Each fight is different, and to think this fight is going to be anything like the last would be a mistake on my part.
A statement victory over Lalaye would get you back on the right path. If uninjured, are you looking to get back in there relatively quickly to make up for lost time? What goals have you set yourself for the year?
I am looking to stay as active as possible and gain experience against tough opposition. Four or five fights this year would be ideal.
Lastly, how does Elliot Hoye get it done on Saturday night? Can we get an official fight prediction?
No predictions, only violence.
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Featured image credits to Battle Arena
