Fury FC are returning on July 12th as they host Fury FC 93. Fury FC 93 will see Lorram Esteves who will be looking to compete in the main event against Alfred Walker. Lorram Esteves is coming into this fight on a 3 fight-winning streak. His last fight was a unanimous decision victory against Gabriel Macario. On the other side of the main event, Alfred Walker is making his debut within the Fury FC banner. Alfred Walker is coming off a featherweight title fight defeat to Elijah Johns in LFA. Combat Sports UK has been able to have the honour of interviewing fighters before their fights to get an insight into how they feel going into their fight. Combat Sports UK was able to speak to Devon Dixon ahead of his fight against Tedrick Macklin
Devon Dixon is coming into this fight off the back of a 2nd round stoppage victory against Bruce Whitehead. Dixon will be looking to keep this momentum going as he looks to defeat this undefeated prospect.
Devon Dixon on His Last Fight
Devon Dixon is coming into this off after a very impressive victory over Bruce Whitehead. Bruce Whitehead was another up-and-coming prospect however, Devon Dixon was able to get the victory in the 2nd round due to a rear naked choke. I was able to ask Devon how he thought that fight went and if he has made any improvements since that fight happened. Devon responded by saying;
“That fight did not go anywhere near as planned, lol. I always know I can resort to my grappling, but we planned to strike with him as we saw plenty of holes there. However, Bruce is a tough guy, hits like a truck, and most definitely earned my respect. I’ve improved a ton on my striking since the fight. You’re going to see a much different level of striking come July 12th. Can’t give too much away, you just have to wait and see.”
This shows how well-rounded Devon Dixon is as even if a fight isn’t going as planned he is able to adapt and still get the victory. While Devon may have planned to strike with Bruce and did see many holes in his game on the feet it was on the ground where he had the most success. Devon gave Bruce his respect for his striking ability and has said that coming into this fight against Tedrick Macklin we will see how much his striking has improved since that fight with Bruce Whitehead.
Success in the Last Fight
Devon Dixon was able to get the victory and while it may not be as planned he was still able to come away with his hand raised. Even though the performance may not have gone as he may have wanted I was able to ask him what he thought he did well in that fight. While he was able to go out and get the victory I was curious to see what he thought he did the best while being in the cage. Devon explained by saying;
“I felt I kept my composure, stayed patient, didn’t force anything. Again, I know I can always resort to my grappling and finish anyone on the ground. That’s what I did when I saw the opportunity.”
While this fight against Bruce may not have gone as predicted Devon appreciates how he stayed calm and didn’t rush anything. He was able to stay calm follow the new game plan and resort to his grappling. This is where Devon is the most dangerous and while he wants to get the stoppage on the feet he knows no one is safe on the ground. This shows how dangerous Devon is as you have to prepare for everything as Devon will adapt if something isn’t going well for him.
Fight Meant to Happen Before
This fight between Devon Dixon and Tedrick Macklin was actually supposed to happen before. These two were supposed to fight on the 12th of May however, the fight got scrapped due to Tedrick Macklin getting injured before the fight. I asked Devon if he was disappointed when he heard about the injury to Macklin last time out. Explaining what he thought Devon responded by saying;
“I was extremely disappointed considering I don’t actually believe he was really injured. We’re all banged up going into fights. A main event win back in May would’ve solidified a guaranteed spot on the contender series in 2024. So yes, extremely disappointed.”
Devon Dixon believes due to this fight not taking place he wasn’t able to convince Dana White to get him a place on the Contender Series. Devon doesn’t believe Tedrick was actually injured and having this thought will mean Devon will feel Tedrick is to blame for him missing out on this year’s season. This could actually give Devon an advantage going into this fight as he has a point to prove. He will want to punish Tedrick for making him miss out on that chance so will be doing everything he can to get the finish.
Devon Dixon on His Training Camp
Every fighter will be going through a training camp to prepare for an upcoming fight. This is where the fighter can start to create the game plan for going out and getting the victory against their opponent. Not only are game plans created, but, they will be able to practise on any holes their opponent may have as well as fixing any holes themselves. I was able to ask Devon how his training camp had been for this fight. Explaining how the camp has gone Devon said;
“training camp has been long, grueling, but also the best I’ve ever looked. I can confidently say I’ve reached a new level preparing for this fight.”
Devon believes that going into this fight he will be able to showcase the best version of himself. He will be able to put on a performance which will show Dana White what he has missed out on. While it may have been hard work Devon will be hoping that this hard work will pay off when he is able to get his hand raised. He will also be hoping to take as little damage as possible so he could take a short-notice contender fight if someone were to drop out.
How Will This Fight Go?
Going into a fight the fighter will have a plan on how the fight is going to go. This is not always how the fight will go as Devon though he would stand and trade with Bruce Whitehead however, ended up on the ground. However, every fighter will have some idea. I was able to ask Devon about where he thought this fight would go and if he had a prediction for this fight. Speaking about this Devon said;
“I see this fight being one of, if not, my best performance of my career thus far. Tedrick is a strong and explosive guy, but he doesn’t like to get tired. He hasn’t had anyone push him in any of his fights. He thinks he’s going to walk right through me, I see it being quite the opposite. I will finish Tedrick inside of 2 rounds, or drown him for 15 minutes.”
Devon Dixon is saying that this performance is going to be the best performance he has done yet and he doesn’t see this fight going to the scorecards. Devon can see himself finishing Tedrick within the first two rounds. If Devon can do this then he will help in his quest for a shot on the contenders series or even a shot in the UFC.
What Is Next for Devon Dixon?
While most fighters will be just focusing on the opponent they have now in front of them. Some fighters may also have a name they want to face off with against next. This could be due to bad blood between them, A guy is a good match or the person is higher up in the rankings. I was curious to see if there was anyone in Devon Dixon’s mind that he was looking to fight with next. Explaining future plans Devon explained;
“honestly whatever fight brings me closer to getting in the ufc. Last guy I fought was undefeated, this guy is undefeated. I’m here to make a statement and get to the big show.”
Devon doesn’t care who he fights next as long as it gets him closer to the end goal of being in the UFC. Devon just wants the big-name fights and to get his name in the hat for a call-up. I was able to ask Devon if he thought he was close to a call-up. Devon replied by saying;
“with an impressive win over Tedrick, I definitely see myself getting the contender series call. If not, it just gives me more time to improve and beat up on some regional guys. Either way, I’ll be in the ufc in the next 12 months.”
Devon doesn’t see himself staying very long in the regional scene and believes an impressive victory against Macklin will be what he needs to secure his place. However, he is also happy with staying in the regional scene and getting more victories if the call-up doesn’t happen. While Devon may not have a fighter in mind he does only want to take the big fights now that will help him get to the next level.
Fight Week and Fan Pressure
I was wondering how Devon handles the pressure of fight week and what he does to try and calm the nerves going into a fight. Not only that but I was also interested in how Devon can handle the pressure from fight fans who are expecting a highlight reel stoppage every time he enters a octagon. As fans, we are expecting fans to go out and get a stoppage like what Max Holloway was able to do at UFC 300. However, that is not always going to happen and I was curious to see how Devon can handle the fans who expect these stoppages every time. Explaining how he deals with this Devon explained saying;
“the pressure, outside noise, etc.. is all things I can’t control. I can control my emotions, my actions, my thoughts. And that’s what I focus on going into my fights. I’m confident every time I step in there because I know I do everything right. I know I put in the work, I know I’m prepared.”
Devon knows himself he can only control what he can like his thoughts and emotions. Devon knows that he is putting the work done in the training sessions leading up to the fight and that will be represented in the cage. He knows as long as he does everything he has prepared for everything will go exactly to plan.
Would Devon Dixon Do Anything Differently?
Devon has been a professional fighter for 4 years and I was wondering if there was anything about his journey he would change. This could be due to an opportunity which turned out didn’t happen. If he rejected an opportunity or if there was anything else he would have changed. I was also curious and asked what he thought he had improved on the most. While Devon will have improved on everything since his first fight I was curious to see what he improved on the most since his first fight. Devon responded by saying;
“I’ve improved on my grappling a ton, being patient in my striking knowing I’ve got power, but don’t have to put 100% behind every punch/kick. Not forcing everything. I don’t believe I would’ve done anything differently. I’m grateful I got to join Killcliff FC at a young age and develop most of my early pro career through that gym. Surrounded by champion fighters, coaches, etc. I seen what the game is like at the highest level at an early age. Now I’m at 10th planet & Renzo Gracie Austin with coaches that care about my development, and I’m grateful for the journey so far.”
Devon believes it is his grappling ability which has improved most. However, he did say he does now know that he doesn’t have to throw everything into every punch. Devon doesn’t believe he would change anything . The journey he has gone on so far has been the best for his development. Dixon will be looking to get everything together to be able to put on a show for the crowd. He is also looking to prove to Dana White he belongs in the UFC.