Post by Jon Payne on Aug 28, 2009 21:04:31 GMT -5
Footage courtesy of UFC
After months of training both in Brazil with Gracie Jiu Jitsu and in the US with MMA legend Matt Hughes' Hit Squad camp, XWA Superstar Jon Payne finally made his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship this past week.
His first match was seen on UFC's Fight Night Live, facing off against another up and coming heavyweight fighter in UK born Muay Thai & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practicioner Nijeer "The Doctor" Angounou. After the match, we managed to get a few words with Payne.
I think for my first fight I did pretty good. There was a couple of times that I was caught off guard with takedowns, being too aggressive to throw punches, but otherwise I think I controlled the pace of the fight. Angounou's a tough guy to keep on the ground because of his Jiu Jitsu, but I still managed to wear him down over the first two rounds. I got him tired and caught him with some good body shots in the last round and that was the set-up for the finish.
I'm really happy with my performance out there, and I'm really amped that I got off on the right foot with a win tonight. The heavyweight divisions got some really tough competition, so it's important to stay at your best. I'm not at my best yet...but I'm moving in the right direction.
So now that your first MMA fight is out of the way, is a return to the XWA on the horizon?
Absolutely. One of the things I've been looking forward to the most was getting back into the wrestling ring, because I have some business that's still unfinished right now. That, and there's a whole lot of new blood who's come along that I wouldn't mind locking up with. I'll be back to TakeDown sooner than you think guys and dolls.
Jon Payne, now officially a two sport superstar...has begun successfully in his ambition to be the "Evolution of Combat". His next MMA fight is scheduled for 12 weeks from now, long after the 2009 XWA season ends. What that means now is that his focus is back to his roots, the wrestling ring.
