Interview: Jim Wallhead "I'm Very Confident I Can Bring Home the Victory"

Interview: Jim Wallhead "I'm Very Confident I Can Bring Home the Victory"
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts  

On Saturday Jim Wallhead will step into the cage at Bamma 14 at the LG Arena in Birmingham to take on French fighter Florent Betorangal. 

Looking for redemption for his September loss against Eddie Ellis for the Bamma Welterweight Title, Wallhead has been on a mission to find his "inner aggression again".  We spoke to Wallhead about his will to win, fighting for Bamma, and what we can expect out of his fight against Betorangal.

Houten: How pleased were you to hear Bamma are planning 6 events next year, surely this give you the opportunity to fight more than ever in 2014?

Wallhead: Very pleased, I want to be as active as possible in the next few years because this isn't the longest career going so really wanna get busy.
 

There is some great fights on the Bamma 14 card, would you say this is the best Bamma card to date?

I would have to say so, it's absolutely stacked and the undercard is awesome as well, so much talent it's crazy; it's great to part of it.

I know that you feel you won your last fight against Eddie Ellis, as do a lot of fans; how long did it take for you to get over that loss?

Yeah, it took a while but I've come out of it better - lessons have been learnt. It was my fault I lost, should of done more but life is all about learning and growing and I think I have done that.
 

In your fight against Ellis, did you feel any extra pressure fighting for the title, and do you feel this made you a little hesitant?

I created my own massive pressure, it was stupid. You want something so bad [but] you can put blocks in your own head. I was so worried about making mistakes I ended up being hesitant. Looking back it horrifies me, the state I was in mentally 
 

Is Ellis the fight you would like next with a win on Saturday?

I'm not thinking passed Betorangel but obviously feel like I have unfinished business with Ellis and if Bamma want to give me another shot I won't fuck up again

Your fighting Florent Betorangal on Saturday, how are you feeling ahead of the fight, and how has your training camp been? 

I'm feeling very good to be honest ,very relaxed and quite excited. [My] camps going surprisingly well and my body feels tip top for once.
 

Have you worked on anything specifically for this fight, and have you brought in anyone to help get you prepared? 

Just being a better well rounded fighter. I was to one dimensional against Eddie so I'm just trying to evolve a bit 
 

You said in an interview recently that you needed to find your inner aggression again, does this mean you have made changes to how you approach MMA, and if does this involve going back to your judo roots at all? 

Not gone back to judo roots as such but certainly trying to widen my game. I'm just trying to not overthink the whole situation and have a fight like back in the day. I just used to enjoy fighting then you add pressures
 

Some of the fans tuning in on Saturday won't be familiar with Betorangal. What are his strengths and weakness and what do you expect from him on Saturday night?

He is durable guy with strong striking and jiu jitsu. He has beaten a UFC vet [Carlos Eduardo Rocha] so he is a good opponent. It should be an entertaining fight.
 

I think your fight with Betorangal could play out like a game of chess, where you have great wrestling and Betorangal has some great BJJ to counter. Do you think the majority of this fight will play out on the ground?

When it goes to the ground I totally agree with you, I think standing as well. I need to be close, he needs to be long, so in all ranges it's a good technical aspect to the fight.
 

How do you see yourself winning the fight on Saturday?

I'm not sure how but I'm very confident I can bring home the victory,  it could be anywhere as this fight will go all ranges, and I know on my day I'm strong all round.

Final Jim, what has been your highlight of 2013 and what goals have you set for 2014??
Not been a great year lol, the Veach win was good but broke my hand so really in 2014 I just want to get a win streak going again and take it from there.

Bamma 14 takes place on the 14th of December from The LG Arena, Birmingham. Tickets are available from £25 through The Ticket Factory.

Jim Wallhead vs Florent Betorangal set for Bamma 14

Jim Wallhead vs Florent Betorangal set for Bamma 14
by Chris Houten - @Mrhouts

Judo Jim Wallhead will take on Frenchman Florent Betorangal on the Bamma 14 main card in his first fight since his controversial decision loss to Eddie Ellis for the Bamma Welterweight title at Bamma 13.

Fighting out of Leicester, Team Rough House member Wallhead (24-8) who began his professional career in 2005, earned notable wins against former John Philips, Jason Tan, Che Mills, and current UFC fighter Igor Araujo before joining Bamma where he defeated former UFC title challenger Frank Trigg at Bamma 7 in his debut, followed up by a knockout demolition of Jackson MMA fighter Joey Villasenor at BAMMA 8.

Wallhead returned on an exclusive UK multi-fight deal at Bamma 12 to defeat former UFC contender Matt Veach, to set up a Welterweight title bout with Eddy Ellis at Bamma 13 in fight which Wallhead broke Ellis' jaw, only to lose by controversial judges decision with fans and pundits alike feeling Wallhead did enough to earn the decision.

Seeking redemption, Wallhead said: “I'm looking forward to the fight. I'm focusing hard on fixing my mistakes. I think the opponent has very good style and is coming off a big win. My goals are to keep improving and to put on a better performance next time.”

Fighting out of Parabellum Combat Club in Paris, France, 30 year old Florent Betorangal (14-7) enters the bout on the back of an impressive TKO victory over former UFC fighter Carlos Eduardo Rocha at GMC 4 - Next Level this July in Germany.

A professional since 2007, fighting for some of the largest promotions in Europe including Cage Warriors and M1, Betorangal has taken all but 1 of 14 career victories inside the distance, with 11 coming by submission

"I am happy to fight in one of the best MMA organisations in the world, and certainly in Europe. It is an honour for me to take part in this incredible fight at BAMMA 14." Betorangal said.

"To fight Jim Wallhead, who is one of the top UK fighters of this weight division, is exactly what I want to be doing…fighting top fighters. When I take a fight I am always well prepared mentally and very determined to win. Jim is a tough and well-rounded guy and it won't be an easy fight, but I will go hard for sure."

Bamma 14 takes place on Saturday the 14th of December at the LG Arena in Birmingham, and is headline by Paul Daley taking on Romario Manoel da Silva. Tickets are on Sale Now - HERE