Yusuf Simpson has highlighted the importance of remaining calm inside the cage and sticking to a game plan from the offset ahead of Goliath Fight Series 3.
Simpson is set to make the walk for the second time in his amateur career and is eager to find himself in the win column this time around. The man standing across the cage from Simpson is Dawid Mkrtchyan (0-2), also in the hunt for his first career win.
Goliath Fight Series 3 is set to go down this Saturday in the Lochgelly Centre, Lochgelly. The sold-out crowd will be treated to a fun-filled night of competitive action put together by promoters Steven Harris and Chris Duncan.
Ahead of fight day, we had the pleasure of speaking with Yusuf Simpson. Hear what he had to say below.
Interview With Yusuf Simpson
Saturday night, you make the walk for the second time in your amateur career. Now we are in fight week. Are you dealing with the nerves and excitement a little better than the first time?
Yeah, I’m buzzing wish it was Saturday already. As soon as my last fight ended, I approached my coach Craig and asked him to get me on the next show possible. Last time I was over-excited. I am a bit again this time. That’s my issue of getting too hyped up, but this time, I’ve been using yoga and meditation to stay calm and focused.
You debuted at Holytown Havoc last year and fell short in the second round. Tell me about the experience, performance, and how you feel having had time to reflect on your debut.
Holytown Havoc was a very exciting, wild show to be on. I had a good experience. I was pretty calm the whole day, just excited to get in there, and being honest, I let it all get to my head and flew out there angry with everything I had straight away and gassed myself out totally by the second round. In my head, I wanted to just take the other guy’s head, and he stayed calm, defended my takedowns, and beat me.
On the feet, I learned a lot from my last fight, and I’m coming into this fight a lot sharper and more focused. I’ve been in the gym every day for multiple sessions and realised how badly I had to step it up after my first fight.
Yusuf Simpson Takes Positives From Debut
Although the result didn’t go your way in Holytown, what positives have you taken away from the situation?
The positives I had taken away were that I have a solid chin, and I just need to keep it calm, stick to the game plan, and I will be walking in and out of the cage Saturday with a big smile on my face.
How does it feel having prepped alongside like-minded individuals who are competing on the same card as you?
Training with Ross, Aaron and other boys on the show has increased my work rate and skill. They are tough lads, and I can’t thank them enough.
What would it mean to you to get that first win under your belt on Saturday night and try to kick on and build some momentum?
I can’t even begin to describe how good I will feel when the ref lifts my hand in the second but, ideally, the first. Win or lose. I’ll be back in the gym training by Monday.
On Bout With Dawid Mkrtchyan
Dawid Mkrtchyan is 0-2 in his career after debuting last year. Have you had the chance to watch his last two bouts? If so, what holes in his game can you exploit?
We had a last-minute opponent change, but I’ve watched one of his bouts. I’m feeling good about fighting him from what I’ve watched. He’s going to walk into something big. My corner team has watched his fights, and we have a game plan for his style, which works very nicely for the way I’ve been training this camp.
Those apprehensive about tuning in or staying seated when Yusuf Simpson faces Dawid Mkrtchyan. Sell it to them. Why should they tune in and watch the action unfold?
In my last fight, the whole crowd changed from booing me to applause and calling me a warrior as I left the cage. The crowd could expect to see everything left in the cage.
Featured image credits to MMA UK
