Scottish Hit Squad fighter Gary McMillan oozes confidence ahead of Saturday night’s clash with Will Brown at Rise and Conquer 10.
Gary McMillan enters fight night with a (4-3-1) record and is always looking to take on the toughest fights at his disposal in order to take valuable lessons away.
The lightweight’s last appearance came at Rise and Conquer 9, where he found himself back in the win column stopping Jorra Gill after undergoing an unfortunate run of results.
We had the pleasure of speaking with McMillan to get his pre-fight thoughts. Read the full interview below.
Interview With Gary McMcMillan
Saturday night, you make the walk again, which I imagine you’ve been eagerly anticipating since your last outing. Were you hoping to get back in there quicker than you have, or have you enjoyed the break to keep improving your game?
Between my upcoming fight and my last, I was expecting to and looking forward to competing in Forza’s four-man tournament. Apparently, I was the only guy who liked that idea, so, unfortunately, it didn’t happen. I still trained as if I was competing right up to the final week when that was supposed to take place, then got matched for Rise and Conquer straight after. I’m always looking to be more active. So long as I am an amateur, I want to fight as often as possible.
Touching on your last fight at Rise and Conquer, which saw you stop Jorra Gill. How satisfied were you to get back in the win column after facing some difficult form, and does that take some pressure off you leading into Saturday’s bout?
The fight with Jorra was a good one. I got back in the win column, and it with still a fight where I learned a few things. As far as pressure goes, I’ll be 100% honest I’ve never not been nervous before a fight, and this one is no exception, but I don’t freeze under pressure, and this Saturday won’t be the first time.
Developing New Skills
In your time away from the cage, has that allowed you to develop new tools at your disposal? How much better do you feel you’ve got since the last time we have seen you? Any areas in particular?
I don’t know about new skills. The sport might be more entertaining if it was like Naruto, and you won fights by learning new, more powerful techniques, but that’s generally not how it works. I suppose Micheal Chandler is the most recent exception to that. I train hard every day. I’m better at wrestling, striking and BJJ than I was last fight. That’s why I need to fight good opposition. They expose my flaws so I can fix them.
Does it make a difference in the gym when several of your teammates are preparing for the same card? I can imagine that gives you an extra spring in camp and hugely boosts team morale.
Teammates competing on the same show is always good. Obviously, Georgia being a lassie and Sam being huge means we don’t really spar together, but Dean and I have put many rounds in together for this show.
Gary McMillan Talks Opponent
Saturday night, you meet Will Brown. When offered this matchup, what were your thoughts, and how do you view your opponent overall?
To be honest, I don’t know anything about Will Brown besides he fights out of TFT, so he will definitely be good. As is always the case, I agreed to the fight before I even knew who the opponent was. I just check the date and make sure there is nothing I absolutely can’t get out of on the same day. So long as there isn’t, then I am in.
Rise and Conquer 10 at the Rainton Arena. How do you see yourself getting it done?
You can expect the same from me as you have seen every other fight. Aggression from the start. If he gives me half a chance, I will pick him up and slam him down. When we are down there, if he gives me half a chance, I will wrap something around his neck or isolate a limb, and then it will be his choice of tap, nap or snap.
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Featured image credits to Rise and Conquer
