Rob “C4” Sinclair makes his long awaited return to the BAMMA cage on Saturday, June 13 for BAMMA 21 from Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena. The 35-year-old fighter is set to face Michael Brightmon in his first bout on British soil since September 2012.
Sinclair returned in April this year after almost two and a half years out with a career threatening injury. He fought Saad Awad (18-6) at Bellator 136, and despite a valiant effort, he lost a unanimous decision to one of the promotion’s top lightweight dogs.
“It was weird because this was the only time I’ve gone to the ring or the cage thinking I’m not fussed if I win or lose,” said Sinclair. “It was the first time I went in with the attitude, if I win I win, if I lose I lose. Either way I’ve already won.
“To be a champion you’ve got to have that mentality; of win, win, win, and I didn’t have that mentality so it was weird because I probably didn’t have that aggression and that will to kill attitude.
“I’ve realised that now, and I’ve realised the only way you can do this sport is if you have that will to kill, and I’m going to have that in June.”
With such a lengthy time away from the cage, one wouldn’t have argued with Sinclair facing off with a lesser opponent to lose some ring rust, but the Burnley fighter was immediately thrown in with one of Bellator’s top 155ers.
“I wanted a tune up fight, and I was told that I would get a tune up fight because from what they [Bellator] were telling me, they were happy building me up as a good guy from Europe who was going to do well.
“They put me in with a top five guy. He’s been active and beat the champion, I don’t have to tell everyone his credentials.”
Awad, who holds a victory over current lightweight champion Will Brooks, struggled to cope with Sinclair’s power at the start of the fight, and it was visible that he changed up his game plan in order to better his British foe.
“I was either thrown to the wolves a little bit to promote Saad Awad or they had so much faith in me to beat the guy that they wasn’t fussed who I would fight.
“If I can compete with all them hampers with a top five guy, with a bit more confidence, with a bit more ring time, I’d probably put him on his arse. I’d do well over there.”
Undefeated in BAMMA, Sinclair is still signed to Bellator, but admitted he is glad the promotion allowed him to fight elsewhere so that he can stay active.
He also admitted that he initially thought his Bellator debut could also be his last call in mixed-martial-arts, and despite leaving with the loss, escaping injury free was even more important.
“I’m still signed with Bellator, I have a six-fight deal, what happened was, I came away from that fight with Awad with the thought that was probably going to be a retirement fight because of my injury and the fact that I could get hurt even more and sustain long term damage.
“After the fight I came out unscaved, not a problem, nothing wrong with me. I think he went to hospital with a broken foot as well.”
“C4” is set to get married in September, with his honeymoon and recovery period, he presumed he wouldn’t be able to fight over in the United States again until December, so he welcomed a short-term stint in BAMMA to stay active.
He also noted that Bellator had no restrictions on the type of opponent he could face during his tenure away.
“We contacted Bellator and asked if we could get a one fight deal with BAMMA, and they said not a problem, good luck with it and we’ll see you after you win.”
“I like the show, I’ve always said it’s been the best show around for a long time, and it feels right to be back and fight on BAMMA and get some more ring time, put on a good show for everybody, and try get another flash knockout. That’s what I am going to do.”
At BAMMA 21 Sinclair faces Michael Brightmon (13-6). The American will be remembered for his loss to Colin Fletcher at BAMMA 17, where he retired on his stool at the end of the second round.
“I’ve watched him against Colin Fletcher, he’s very dangerous, very aggressive. A couple of people weren’t keen on me taking the fight because he swings for the fences and if he clips you he can hurt you. Saying that, I tend to do well against people who are aggressive.”
Sinclair revealed that Brightmon was one of three choices for his return fight, and he chose him because he felt he was the toughest test.
“I think he is going to cause me slight problems, but he went down from a front kick to the belly [against Colin Fletcher]. If anyone is going to make him quit, the last person he wants to face is myself.”
Fighting out of Predators in Manchester, Sinclair acknowledged that especially with his previous injuries and his age that it’s now or never for him to reach for Bellator gold. However he admitted a potential fight with the current BAMMA 155lb champion Mansour Barnaoui is somewhat of a possibility.
“Naturally what I should say is to and go get the Bellator belt. I’m looking at each fight as it comes. I’m not looking past Michael Brightmon, I’m going to take him out, see what Bellator say, see what BAMMA say.
“Bellator might turn round to me and say have another fight on BAMMA, maybe you can have that French kid, knock that one out and then go back to Bellator.”
The former BAMMA lightweight world champion returns to his previous stomping ground and predicts mayhem for his UKMMA return.
“Tune in because I’ve never had this drive to want to beat somebody so bad. I let myself down in America, and no one likes to lose, especially as a male and especially as a male who has been winning so much throughout his life.
“I’m going to take his head off, there is going to be ultra-aggressive and I’m not going to stop. You’re going to see something special, I’m going to take him out.”
