Tom Peel is thrilled to display his improvements after undergoing a long period of inactivity away from MMA competition.
After three years away Peel will face Spanish international Mattia Giordana at Kingdom Combat Championships 3 on Feb.25 in Liverpool.
We had the opportunity of catching up with Tom Peel ahead of fight night to get his thoughts and feelings ahead of his highly anticapted return.
Interview With Tom Peel
Firstly, I’d like to say welcome back! It’s been three years since we’ve last seen you inside the cage. How does it feel now to be preparing for a fight again? Does it feel normal, or is it a little strange?
Thank you! It feels great and is something I’ve missed a lot. It feels completely normal, though. I’m always in the gym training and looking after myself outside of the gym. It’s just nice to have a name and a date to look forward too.
Many things can change in three years. Do you think the time off will have benefited you positively, or is it something you wish you had undergone?
Obviously, the time off isn’t ideal, and I would have liked to of been active in them for three years, but it is what it is, and there are definitely benefits too. I’m fresh, I’ve been adding to my game in that time, and there’s more fire in my belly than ever before.
What have you missed the most about not fighting? Have you still been training over that period of time, or have you been completely away from the sport as a whole?
The hard work, the preparation, the competition, putting on a show and getting that hand raised at the end of the night!
Peel Talks Evolution of MMA
The sport is consistently evolving year by year. Especially a three-year period. How much do you feel the sport has evolved since the last time you stepped inside the cage, and in which departments?
It has definitely, and for the best, really. The shows are getting bigger the fighters are getting better. This is going to be a massive show, and I can’t wait to be a part of it.
You could have returned to an easy outing just to get your bearings back and dust off the ring rust. However, you jump straight into the deep end when you meet with Spain’s Mattia Giordana. What’s the mindset behind that decision?
I got offered much easier fights and knocked them back for this one. I’m not here to mess about; I want to test myself against the best and show that I belong there. I’m going to smash Mattia to remind a few people.
What would you have to say to a Mattia Girodana who anticipates the same Tom Peel to show up as your last outing in 2020?
If he’s stupid enough to think I’m the same fighter I was three years ago, he’s in for a big shock. And he’s getting sent on a flight home disappointed.
Where do you feel you’ve made the biggest improvements in your game?
I’ve made improvements everywhere. I’m bigger, stronger, and faster, and my skill set is much more well-rounded. And my mind is bulletproof.
You are now back, and I assume you’re eager to stay active. Map out the perfect 2023 for Tom Peel?
I’m not looking past this fight, but I want 3-4 fights minimum this year and then sit down with my coach, Gav and see where we are at. As I said, I’m not here to mess about. I want to get to work, and I think 2023 is going to be my best year of competition, yet it starts on February 25th when I take out Mattia and make a statement.
Featured image credits to FCC/Graham Finney photography
