Bryan Battle had arguably his greatest and worst week main as much as UFC 310.
On the optimistic aspect of issues, the Final Fighter 29 winner was lastly getting a step up in competitors with a struggle 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 because of this, after which eked out a razor-close break up choice 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 the whole lot potential to chop these few further kilos till his physique simply informed him it wasn’t going to occur.
“Not even Thursday evening, 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 taking place figuring out how a lot I sweat, that was once I informed my staff it’s essential hit up Jason [House], I believe we would have an issue.
“It was dangerous. It undoubtedly 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 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 slicing so he may probably 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 greater 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 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 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 can assist you rationalize it, however no, I did my best possible [to make weight]. I squeezed all of the juice I had out of me.”
Brown ultimately 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 have been reversed he wouldn’t have taken the struggle if Brown missed weight. Brown may have achieved the identical however he elected to compete, which is why Battle doesn’t need to hear any complaining afterwards.
“Excuses received to exit the window, to me,” Battle mentioned. “One, you’ve got the choice to say, ‘No, I don’t need to struggle that particular person, they didn’t make the agreed-upon weight.’ Two, you get a piece of my purse if you happen to 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 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 struggle. When you comply with 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 in opposition to the cage and he needed to be heavier.’ That’s not essentially my sport plan however 4 further kilos, no 4 further kilos, I’d have been ready to try 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 choice and although it’s not the efficiency he needed, he has little question he deserved the nod.
“I’m one hundred pc assured within the choice,” Battle mentioned. “It’s identical to if you happen to 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 pictures 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 will depend on the attitude of the folks watching it.”
Contemplating the whole lot that went incorrect, which additionally included a minimize he suffered over his eye simply days away from the struggle that even had Battle questioning if he may 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 “Impolite Boy” known as him a “bum.” The truth is, Battle would truly want to remodel Brown from an enemy to a buddy as soon as this case simmers down.
“I believe 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 an awesome 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 discuss a while.”
