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Alan Philpott BAMMA 26
All images copyright (c) BAMMA/Andy Tierney 2016. No reproducing, altering or commercial use without prior written consent.

BAMMA Bantamweight title challenger Alan Philpott explained how his struggle to the top is what makes him better than ‘silver spoon’ fed opponent Tom Duquesnoy.

The Northern Irish fighter clashes with the former Featherweight and current Bantamweight champion in the main event of BAMMA 27, Friday December 16 at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.

Philpott, 24, easily defended his BAMMA Lonsdale title against Aaron Blackwell at BAMMA 26 and was rewarded with a title opportunity against European number one, Duquesnoy.

With the biggest fight of his career set to take place on a monumental joint excursion by Bellator MMA and BAMMA, “The Apprentice” believes that despite a tumultuous year – seeing him move from Ballymena to Liverpool – victory over Duquesnoy would culminate his struggle for success.

Philpott opened: “I just know that it is my time, it’s supposed to be. I just know that I’m supposed to be the next BAMMA world champion.

“I went from being a family man with my ex-girlfriend and her kid, things didn’t work out, to living in a spare room in another country. I’m thankful that I have all the boys over here in Liverpool, they’ve made me welcome since day one and it’s home from home now.

“All I’ve got is this sport, I’ve put a lot into it, over the years I’ve had a lot of sacrifices and ups and downs, this is all i’ve got so I’m not going to mess about anymore and do it wrong, and f–k about, this is time to do it right. The only person holding me down is me.”

Now training out of the Aspire Combat Sports Academy, it is no secret that a large portion of Philpott’s career has been plagued by his inability to consistently make weight.

However, the Lonsdale champion gave credit to teammate Dean Garnett and International Mixed Martial Arts Federation recognised nutritionist Ben Crighton for their continued help which has awarded him a renewed outlook on cutting weight safely and effectively.

“[Ben Crighton] and big Dean [Garnett], his knowledge in the sport, he’s sort of on the same wavelength as Ben so I’ve got him and Ben on me everyday. Ben he’s got IMMAF and stuff now, he’s away at times but Dean is there too so a lot of it would be down to Dean as well.”

When Philpott began his mixed martial arts career eight years ago, his only aim was to become a top 15 fighter. Since then, he has enjoyed a massive change in perspective, from challenging Ed Arthur for the BAMMA title in April, 2015, to winning the Lonsdale championship 10 months later. Now the McHale Sports athlete has the opportunity to culminate his gradual rise with the one accolade which has eluded his grasp, a world title.

Champion “Firekid” has rightfully earned his spot as the best unsigned talent in Europe, with head coach Greg Jackson hailing him as a future star. Now, the Jackson-Wink fighter prepares to complete the final fight of his BAMMA contract, with a UFC call up potentially on the horizon.

The Frenchman was the first man to hold both the Featherweight and Bantamweight belts in BAMMA history, but regardless of his resounding success in the promotion, Philpott believes that his ‘heart’ will be the edge over the ‘silver spoon’ champion.

“Everything I say I believe, I haven’t rehearsed anything I haven’t practised lines, what I say is what I feel on the time. I am on a different level right now, I know Tom is legit but I also know I am better and I will beat him.

“I’m better in every area, I’ve got more heart, I want it more. He’s been fed with a silver spoon all his life, I’ve had to work for everything. I came from nothing and worked my way up.

“He’s a mean guy on paper and I have so much respect for the guy, he’s done major things in the BAMMA promotion but I just can’t see me being in danger in this fight. I can see me picking him off in three rounds, frustrating him and then I can see me finishing him.”

The four fight BAMMA veteran has huge aspirations on Friday night and should he beat Duquesnoy – as the self proclaimed star of Northern Irish MMA – Philpott demanded he is the only logical choice to headline the rumoured BAMMA card in Belfast next year.

“There’s no other option, If BAMMA don’t put me on the world title for the main event I wouldn’t fight for them and I won’t fight for them again. At the end of the day, I am the biggest name in Northern Ireland in MMA, I am the one leading the way, I am the one who has been pushing [for the show] since I signed.”