Marin Vetrila is one week out from making his professional MMA debut and is confident his past experience in the world of combat sports will give him the edge over Daniel Crooks-May at Contenders 33.
The Crystal Palace National Sports Centre will host the action on Sept.3. Those attending and tuning in on PPV can expect to see professional and amateur bouts. As it stands, the card will also feature one K1 contest.
We spoke with a handful of fighters ahead of fight night. Among them was Marin Vetrila, who enlightened us on how he feels ahead of his pro-debut. Read the full interview below.
Interview With Marin Vetrila
One week out from fight night and your professional debut. How has camp been as we close in on fight night?
Preparation for the fight was successful, without injuries. I am ready for 100%. I go only for victory.
Turning to the pro-ranks, how did you know the time was right to make that jump?
My trainers and I wanted to do a couple more amateur fights. I was supposed to fight in August, but five opponents refused to fight me. I’m not going to ask every time to fight me, so we decided to prepare well and compete professionally. I’m not a beginner fighter. I have been in sports for 11 years.
Have you altered your training routine with the extra minutes of the fight as a pro? How have you prepared for that, or do you train the same regardless if you were an amateur/professional?
I didn’t change my schedule. The last fight was at an amateur level, but I trained like a real professional, with high-quality nutrition, the best coaches, and excellent sparring partners, everyone in the gym helped me, and I always did my best in the gym. I try to give my best in every round.
Marin Vetrila Talks Previous Fights
In the two fights you’ve had, you’ve stopped your opponents. However, is there a part of you that wants to go the distance to allow you to show more of your game? How much of Marin Vertila’s skills have we actually seen?
I finished two opponents ahead of schedule, but I was not very pleased with the result. I never relax because I won. Even when I win, I work on my mistakes, there is always something to learn, and I hope that I will show my best and please my fans.
What has been the hardest thing about transitioning from Kickboxing into MMA?
It was not difficult for me to switch to mma because I practised not only kickboxing, but I started my way with universal combat, then boxing and then kickboxing. As I said, I have the best coaches and sparring partners who help me in my work on the ground, it’s no secret that I’m better at striking, but we also work hard on grappling with being a versatile fighter, whether it’s a striker or a wrestler.
Daniel Crooks-May will be the man that stands across the cage from you on Sept.3. He has a significant amount of more time in the cage than you as an amateur. Do you think that will play a factor on the night?
Yes, my opponent has more experience at the amateur level in mma, but I already have experience in professional fights. This is a different atmosphere, a lot of pressure, and I already know how to work with it, and as I said, I’m not a beginner fighter. I know what it is to fight.
Opposition
Have you had the chance to watch any of Daniel’s previous fights back? What do you think about his skills as a fellow competitor?
I did not look at my opponent. This is not my job. My coaches did it. Then we worked hard in the gym. It remains to make weight and show what I am capable of on the third of September.
For those who have never watched you compete, why should they tune into your MMA pro debut?
For those who have not yet watched my fights, I advise you to look. I always try not to make my fights boring so that after that, I myself would be pleased to review them.
Can we get an official fight prediction?
My fight prediction can only be like this, I always go for victory, I always prepare for all rounds, and I promise that the fight will be very interesting, don’t miss it.
Featured image credits to FEA
