Mo Zubair is ready to walk through fire to get his hands on the Golden Ticket Fight Promotions bantamweight championship this Saturday.
GTFP 21 takes place this Saturday with another stacked line-up in store from the K.K Steel Mill in Wolverhampton.
We spoke with Mo Zubair, who is fresh from a 6-hour notice victory at Cage Warriors Academy South East. Now looking to continue his momentum streak, he challenges Daniel Bainbridge for the GTFP amateur bantamweight title. A challenge that excites him.
Read the full interview below.
Interview With Mo Zubair
Fight week is here. How does it feel to actually have the chance to prepare for an opponent after taking your last fight on 6-hours’ notice?
I’m in the gym every day, training twice a day. I’m in shape all year round, so it’s always possible for me to take these short-notice fights if I want to.
Talk to me about the last fight. Few men can take a fight on 6 hours’ notice, never mind win the fight. What made you decide to be spontaneous and take the fight?
I’ve always wanted to fight at Cage Warriors Academy, so when the opportunity came up, I thought, why not? Everyone talks about they will find anyone anywhere, but I actually do it. I believe I’m the UK BMF.
How did it feel to get back to work after spending some time out of competition? You obviously have to be pleased with yourself, given the circumstances, but was there anything you were not so happy with?
It felt wicked to get back to work, especially on such a big platform that is Cage Warriors Academy, and I was happy with the result, but I wasn’t happy with my performance. I could have finished him a few times, but I guess I was just soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying gaining the cage time after such a long time out. I knew I’d won every single round, so for me, there wasn’t any rush to get the fight finished.
Before the win against Lee Turner, you faced a bad run against good opposition. How much confidence does it give you now, leading into your upcoming fight with Daniel Bainbridge with a win under your belt?
The win means nothing, really. I’m already confident from the level of opposition I have faced compared to his, but it does feel good to be back in the win column. I’m looking to keep the momentum running into 2023.
Mo Zubair Talks Training at Team Renegade
You’ve been vocal in the past about how much training under Team Renegade has benefited you. But how much do you owe to the guys there for making you a better person and a better person all-around?
I owe a lot to my coaches. The level on the mat down at Team Renegade is second to none. I believe we are the highest-level gym in Europe. We always have other big fighters coming down to train with us. Recently, we have had UFC star Ian Garry and the Figlak brothers come to train with us. When you are on the mat at our camp, you can’t do anything but be inspired.
At GTFP 21, you’ll compete for the interim title. With a title being on the line, have you taken any extra measures in camp to ensure you walk away with the belt?
I haven’t taken any extra measures. I always train like a beast in camp and cut no corners, but I can tell you now I haven’t felt this good in camp in a very, very long time.
Daniel has proved to be a tough outing in his career. What are your thoughts on him and his overall skill set?
Bainbridge is meant to be the next big thing. It’s nothing I’m not used to. Look at the level of opposition I have fought. It’s normal to me.
Capturing Gold
What would it mean to you to attain interim gold on Saturday night? I ask as I know some fighters aren’t bothered with interim titles and want the real thing. Where do you stand on that?
This fight actually got changed to the title fight, so it’s no longer for the interim, but to become GTFP bantamweight champion is a big thing is a big show in the UK, and after winning that title come Saturday, it will make me a 2 division amateur champion.
Finally, what can those attending expect to see from Mo Zubair at GTFP 21? How does the fight with Daniel unfold?
Come Saturday night, you can expect to see fireworks from me as always. I know this fight could possibly be a war, and I’m 100% ready for that. I will do whatever it takes to leave that cage with the title around my waist.
