Mick Stanton will lastly meet Kerim Engizek within the Oktagon 74 cage this weekend on August 9, following a prolonged delay after the unique bout was scrapped eight weeks in the past. Scheduled initially for Eden Stadium in June, the extremely anticipated Tipsport Gamechanger event quarterfinal was postponed when Engizek withdrew – one thing Stanton suspects wasn’t resulting from sickness.
Mick Stanton vs. Kerim Engizek
“I consider he had no intention of combating by any means,” Stanton advised LowKick MMA. “He’s the champion and there’s strain there, but when he will get beat, particularly by somebody they aren’t score extremely, it’s not a part of his plan.”
The delay prolonged Stanton’s struggle camp by almost two months, costing him treasured household moments however sharpening his focus. “I missed out on weddings, missed my youngsters’ birthdays – I used to be there however I wasn’t current. Struggle camp takes all the things. So for him to tug out, it pisses me off, actually,” he mentioned.
This rivalry provides further warmth to a struggle already loaded with excessive stakes. Engizek enters undefeated in Oktagon, using a 15-fight win streak and broadly touted as Germany’s high middleweight. Stanton, in the meantime, relishes the underdog function – one thing he’s carried since his teenagers. Beginning his profession with England’s schoolboy boxing workforce, he collected nationwide titles and knockouts earlier than setbacks pressured a change in course.
“My total life, I’ve at all times been the underdog,” Stanton defined. “I used to be by no means meant to succeed. That’s me day by day.” Transitioning from boxing to MMA in his early twenties, he rebuilt his life and profession by means of persistent onerous work – overcoming melancholy, weight points, {and professional} discouragement.
“I noticed I didn’t just like the life I used to be main, so I misplaced 4 stone, obtained again to coaching, and ultimately moved into MMA as a result of I noticed the chance,” Stanton mentioned. “I educated with native legends, went into teaching, and at last examined myself contained in the cage.”
Identified for his easy type, Stanton laid out his sport plan succinctly: “Heavy arms and attractive wrestling,” he grinned. “If he thinks he’ll simply defend a couple of takedowns and knock me out, he’s in for a shock. I like getting hit and we’ll see what he does after I’m hitting him straight again. That’s when the takedowns open up – and if he provides me his again, I’ll end him.”
Reflecting on his journey, Stanton’s sees himself as a fighter for whom hardship and adversity created an edge. “I do assume you want a couple of demons, a little bit of hardship. It’s a loopy sport and you must have one thing to struggle for. Life throws issues at you and typically you must turn into a fighter.”
His function as coach and mentor at City Kings gymnasium reinforces his ardour for the game past private accolades. “Serving to individuals and making champions, that’s my actual ardour.”
Successful this event, Stanton mentioned, would cement his legacy. “That is my aim this yr – two extra wins and it’s life-changing. Once I keep targeted, issues go nice. Once I’m distracted, that’s after I’ve made errors.”
This Saturday at Štvanice stadium in Prague, Mick Stanton stands prepared for his probability. After years of setbacks, comebacks, and at all times taking part in the underdog, he welcomes the problem and the strain.
“I’m obsessive about this struggle. Let’s smash him.”
