Zak Atkinson is gearing up for his next challenge at Rise and Conquer as he prepares to step back into the cage this Saturday at the Rainton Arena after his triumphant amateur debut last year. Reflecting on his previous victory, Atkinson expressed a mix of satisfaction and self-critique.
“Obviously I was super pleased to get the knockout. I mean there’s not much more you can ask for in a debut,” Atkinson remarked. “Having said that, I was actually really disappointed with my performance. I’m my biggest critic, and after watching it back, I felt I looked sloppy and quite wild.”
Despite securing a second-round stoppage, Atkinson didn’t shy away from admitting his areas of dissatisfaction:
“I felt I looked sloppy, hands were down, and I felt like I was brawling rather than fighting and showcasing skills,” he elaborated: “I mean the fight went to plan; we went in there to get the knockout, and we achieved our goal, so all in all, I have to have a positive outlook on my debut.”
Zak Atkinson Aims to Show Improvements at Rise and Conquer
Navigating the nerves and pressures of debuting in the cage can be a daunting task for any fighter. Atkinson shared insights into his mindset this time around, having already experienced the intensity of the moment.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it, I was nervous,” Atkinson admitted. “It’s a scary thing, meeting another man in the cage and having a tear-up. I put quite a lot of pressure on myself in my debut, but having made that walk and getting the win in the fashion I did, I can only be in a better, more comfortable place now come fight night.”
Facing Kashif Naeem on the upcoming fight night, Atkinson offered his thoughts on the matchup, showcasing both respect for his opponent and confidence in his own abilities.
“In terms of the opposition, I’ve watched a few of his fights; he’s decent. Likes to grapple a lot,” Atkinson assessed: “He’s got more experience, more wins, so you’d think everything is in his favor. But to be honest, I hadn’t even seen him fight, and we had accepted the fight. I trust my coach Davey; he knows I’m down to scrap anyone, so if he thinks it’s a good match, he just accepts.”
The Anticipation Builds
With anticipation building among his supporters, Atkinson outlined his goals for the upcoming bout and hinted at what spectators can expect.
“Yeah, everyone’s buzzing for fight night,” Atkinson acknowledged: “I really want to showcase my skills, put on a good solid complete performance—crisp striking, good defense, grappling—really show how far I’ve come since my debut. And of course, there’s only one thing I’m stepping in there to do, and that’s another highlight KO.”
As Zak Atkinson readies himself for another thrilling showdown, the stage is set for another chapter in his promising combat sports journey.
