Bryan Battle had arguably his finest and worst week main as much as UFC 310.
On the constructive facet of issues, the Final Fighter 29 winner was lastly getting a step up in competitors with a struggle towards Randy Brown, and he was acting on the year-end pay-per-view. Sadly, he additionally confronted loads of destructive suggestions after he missed weight by a full 4 kilos, gave up 30 p.c of his purse consequently, after which eked out a razor-close break up resolution to increase his undefeated streak to 5 in a row.
Whereas Battle understands the criticism he rightfully deserves for lacking weight, he guarantees he was doing all the pieces attainable to chop these few additional kilos till his physique simply advised him it wasn’t going to occur.
“Not even Thursday evening, all the best way as much as Friday morning, I used to be attempting to make weight,” Battle advised MMA Combating. “It was sooner or later early Friday morning, I used to be within the tub for like 45 minutes to shut to an hour and I wasn’t breaking a sweat. When that was taking place figuring out how a lot I sweat, that was after I advised my group you should hit up Jason [House], I feel we’d have an issue.
“It was unhealthy. It undoubtedly sucked. All you are able to do is be taught the teachings from it and never let that shit occur once more.”
Within the aftermath of the botched weight minimize, after which once more following the struggle, Battle has heard complaints that he truly knew he was going to overlook weight, however allowed Brown to proceed reducing so he might doubtlessly acquire a bonus.
As a lot as some fighters consider that occurs, Battle believes any accusations geared toward him are misguided, particularly when wanting on the larger image concerning his profession.
“Right here’s the factor, that’s such a short-sighted approach to strategy issues,” Battle mentioned. “As a result of there’s a purse consequence, but in addition it impacts the religion of the followers, it impacts the religion of the matchmakers.
“I walked into the cage the identical weight I’d strolling if I’d have made it. I don’t like being above a sure weight preventing at 170 as a result of individuals are quick. I noticed some folks throwing that round. It’s like if that’s going that will help you rationalize it, however no, I did my highest [to make weight]. I squeezed all of the juice I had out of me.”
Brown finally accepted the struggle together with monetary compensation from Battle’s purse, which is the place the entire ordeal ends for the 30-year-old veteran.
Battle acknowledged if the roles had been reversed he wouldn’t have taken the struggle if Brown missed weight. Brown might have completed the identical however he elected to compete, which is why Battle doesn’t wish to hear any complaining afterwards.
“Excuses obtained to exit the window, to me,” Battle mentioned. “One, you will have the choice to say, ‘No, I don’t wish to struggle that particular person, they didn’t make the agreed-upon weight.’ Two, you get a bit of my purse for those who do settle for it. Regardless, the truth that he took the struggle, absolute canine. He’s a f*cking gangster, however with that being mentioned, you possibly can’t speak to me about 4 kilos and speaking about it being this benefit. No, you took it. All the reasons, at that time, we simply struggle. When you conform to the struggle, it’s what it’s.
“With that being mentioned, as soon as once more, it doesn’t matter what anybody says, even when folks say that, I actually don’t care. It’s a kind of issues the place I do know me. I do know I walked in at my regular walk-in weight so I do know there’s no distinction. Persons are like, ‘He had a sport plan, he’s going to place Randy towards the cage and he needed to be heavier.’ That’s not essentially my sport plan however 4 additional kilos, no 4 additional kilos, I’d have been in a position to do this regardless. It wouldn’t have made a distinction in what I used to be capable of do.”
The grueling three-round struggle ended with Battle getting his hand raised by break up resolution and although it’s not the efficiency he needed, he has little doubt he deserved the nod.
“I’m one hundred pc assured within the resolution,” Battle mentioned. “It’s identical to for those who throw one other two rounds on there, who do you assume wins that struggle? You assume Randy’s beating me within the subsequent two rounds? Completely not. He had one form of spurt within the third spherical, however he by no means damage me. He by no means actually did any harm.
“I used to be controlling him and it was plenty of nasty, soiled photographs that I used to be touchdown that folks weren’t appreciating. There was plenty of dirty stuff taking place that folks weren’t seeing. It’s what it’s. The struggle went the place it went and I gained the struggle the place it was. I used to be assured in myself that I gained the third spherical however I knew it additionally is determined by the attitude of the folks watching it.”
Contemplating all the pieces that went mistaken, which additionally included a minimize he suffered over his eye simply days away from the struggle that even had Battle questioning if he might compete, he nonetheless managed to stroll away with the win.
He undoubtedly understands Brown’s frustration with the loss and Battle admits he’s not even all that upset that “Rude Boy” called him a “bum.” Actually, Battle would truly desire to rework Brown from an enemy to a good friend as soon as this example simmers down.
“I feel he’s saying what he must say and honest sport to him,” Battle mentioned about Brown. “It was a detailed struggle. He’s entitled to his opinion. Not solely do I’ve any sick will [towards] him, if I used to be ever up in New York, I wouldn’t thoughts getting some coaching in with him. I wouldn’t thoughts taking him out to eat and choosing his mind on some issues. If he’s speaking, if he’s making noise, go forward. Get it on the market. However he’s a fantastic fighter.
“If we do run it again, that will be superior. I wouldn’t thoughts working it again. I wouldn’t thoughts hanging out with Randy someday. Randy, what’s up child, let’s speak a while.”
Trending Merchandise
