Bryan Battle had arguably his finest and worst week main as much as UFC 310.
On the constructive aspect of issues, the Final Fighter 29 winner was lastly getting a step up in competitors with a combat in opposition to Randy Brown, and he was acting on the year-end pay-per-view. Sadly, he additionally confronted loads of unfavorable 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 determination 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 every part attainable to chop these few further kilos till his physique simply informed him it wasn’t going to occur.
“Not even Thursday night time, all the way in which as much as Friday morning, I used to be attempting to make weight,” Battle informed 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 occurring realizing how a lot I sweat, that was after I informed my workforce it’s essential to hit up Jason [House], I feel we’d have an issue.
“It was dangerous. It positively sucked. All you are able to do is study the teachings from it and never let that shit occur once more.”
Within the aftermath of the botched weight lower, after which once more following the combat, Battle has heard complaints that he really knew he was going to overlook weight, however allowed Brown to proceed reducing so he may doubtlessly achieve a bonus.
As a lot as some fighters imagine that occurs, Battle believes any accusations geared toward him are misguided, particularly when wanting on the greater image concerning his profession.
“Right here’s the factor, that’s such a short-sighted method to strategy issues,” Battle stated. “As a result of there’s a purse consequence, but additionally 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 combating at 170 as a result of individuals are quick. I noticed some individuals 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 ultimately accepted the combat 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 combat if Brown missed weight. Brown may have performed 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 stated. “One, you may have the choice to say, ‘No, I don’t wish to combat that particular person, they didn’t make the agreed-upon weight.’ Two, you get a bit of my purse in the event you do settle for it. Regardless, the truth that he took the combat, absolute canine. He’s a f*cking gangster, however with that being stated, you possibly can’t discuss to me about 4 kilos and speaking about it being this benefit. No, you took it. All the reasons, at that time, we simply combat. When you comply with the combat, it’s what it’s.
“With that being stated, as soon as once more, it doesn’t matter what anybody says, even when individuals say that, I actually don’t care. It’s a type 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. Individuals are like, ‘He had a recreation plan, he’s going to place Randy in opposition to the cage and he wished to be heavier.’ That’s not essentially my recreation plan however 4 further kilos, no 4 further kilos, I’d have been ready to do this regardless. It wouldn’t have made a distinction in what I used to be in a position to do.”
The grueling three-round combat ended with Battle getting his hand raised by break up determination and though it’s not the efficiency he wished, he has little doubt he deserved the nod.
“I’m one hundred pc assured within the determination,” Battle stated. “It’s identical to in the event you throw one other two rounds on there, who do you suppose wins that combat? You suppose Randy’s beating me within the subsequent two rounds? Completely not. He had one sort of spurt within the third spherical, however he by no means harm me. He by no means actually did any injury.
“I used to be controlling him and it was numerous nasty, soiled pictures that I used to be touchdown that individuals weren’t appreciating. There was numerous dirty stuff occurring that individuals weren’t seeing. It’s what it’s. The combat went the place it went and I gained the combat the place it was. I used to be assured in myself that I gained the third spherical however I knew it additionally will depend on the attitude of the individuals watching it.”
Contemplating every part that went unsuitable, which additionally included a lower he suffered over his eye simply days away from the combat that even had Battle questioning if he may compete, he nonetheless managed to stroll away with the win.
He positively understands Brown’s frustration with the loss and Battle admits he’s not even all that upset that “Impolite Boy” referred to as him a “bum.” In actual fact, Battle would really favor 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 recreation to him,” Battle stated about Brown. “It was an in depth combat. He’s entitled to his opinion. Not solely do I’ve any unwell 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 selecting his mind on some issues. If he’s speaking, if he’s making noise, go forward. Get it on the market. However he’s an ideal fighter.
“If we do run it again, that might 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 discuss a while.”
