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Tayfun “Turbine” Ozcan goals to shock Sitthichai “Killer Child” Sitsongpeenong along with his new expertise once they meet contained in the Circle at ONE: FIRST STRIKE.
Ozcan is keen to get his ONE Tremendous Collection tenure off to an excellent begin, and he intends to make an announcement towards the Thai legend of their ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix quarterfinal matchup on Friday, 15 October.
On this unique interview, the Dutch-Turkish star talks in regards to the pleasure surrounding his promotional debut, the adjustments he’s made since signing with ONE, how he plans to beat “Killer Child” on the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and his targets in The House of Martial Arts.
ONE Championship: You have been initially making ready in your debut late final yr, however plans modified. How does it really feel to lastly get your likelihood to compete in ONE Tremendous Collection?
Tayfun Ozcan: That was fairly harsh as a result of I ready superb for that combat, nevertheless it bought canceled. Actually, in the event you ask me now, the way in which I’m feeling now and the way in which I used to be feeling one yr in the past, possibly I used to be not prepared, so I all the time assume every part occurs for a purpose.
In fact, the combat bought canceled, and it damage me quite a bit, however I used that yr quite a bit to enhance – not solely as a fighter, however mentally, so it was good. Now, I’m one hundred pc prepared. A yr in the past, possibly I used to be solely 80 % prepared. Now, I’m ready. The whole lot occurs on the proper time, and I believe that is the precise time.
ONE: How did you are feeling getting requested to face an enormous identify like Sitthichai?
TO: I’ve adopted Sitthichai for a very long time now. A few years. He fought in lots of tournaments in good organizations and he was on prime. Then he got here to Glory and he was dominant, additionally. At the moment, I used to be an Enfusion Champion and I had no opponents left anymore, so in 2019, I known as him out. I instructed him, ‘I’m the person to regulate Sitthichai,’ and I requested Chatri [Sityodtong, ONE Chairman and CEO,] to make this combat occur.
After they known as me to make the combat occur, it’s like every part fell into place. Of all of the fighters which might be [in ONE], I wished to combat him probably the most, so now it’s going to occur and I’m actually, actually excited.
If you happen to combat for 16 years, you want names that get you out of your mattress. Possibly you’re a bit of bit scared however principally motivated. These are the fights that I reside for. Possibly I can lose, you understand? I want that edge. And that’s what I got here to ONE for.
It’s not going to occur as a result of I really feel superb and really assured, however you by no means know, and that’s what I like. That rigidity. That power. Earlier than I stroll out, I need to really feel so nervous that it provides me power. That’s the sensation I seek for.
ONE: What has the response to the bout been like?
TO: I didn’t count on it, however wow, folks have been ready for this. They’ve actually been ready for me to combat. As a result of Sitthichai can also be an enormous identify, that is going to be a banger. I can’t wait!
MMA is huge now, however that is putting at its most interesting. The entire putting world goes to observe this combat as a result of they’re going to see somebody who needs to bang — that’s me — towards somebody like Sitthichai, who may be very technical however may keep away from the combat. Individuals are ready for this. They’re desirous to see how I can shut the space.
ONE: Was there something you can take from his ONE debut towards Superbon?
TO: Actually, I can’t say something about that combat as a result of Superbon’s model will not be just like mine. It may have gone both means – it was not like Superbon gained very huge. It’s all the time that means with Thai fighters, so I can’t take something out of that combat.
However [Sitthichai’s] combat with Marat [Grigorian], for me, that was like, ‘Okay, he’s bought some holes in his recreation. You may contact him.’ He’s not shy from extending. He needs to bang typically, he’s bought holes in his recreation, and I noticed that.
ONE: The place do you see your benefits over Sitthichai?
TO: With me, [my opponents] are previous fights of me. They assume Tayfun goes to combat the identical, simply stroll ahead. However I’m not the Tayfun I used to be 16 months in the past. I switched gyms. I made an enormous distinction in my recreation as a result of I’m now with a brand new group. I wanted a brand new power, new ways.
I believe I’m going to shock him with how match I’m, how robust I’m, and I believe he’s going to arrange from my previous fights. However I’ve modified quite a bit and I don’t assume he’s prepared for what’s coming.
ONE: Sitthichai is a southpaw, which might make issues trickier. How do you are feeling about that, and what are his different strengths?
TO: It’s not traditional that somebody is southpaw. Many of the guys you prepare with are normally orthodox, however all my coaching companions have modified to southpaw.
It’s not going to be the identical as Sitthichai, in fact. However now, I’m a bit of bit tailored to the precise foot being in entrance of me, so I want to alter stances and go to his proper arm. These are the issues it is advisable to do. He has a really onerous kick, good timing, and superb reflexes. It’s going to be a really onerous job, however I believe I’m prepared.
ONE: You’re on a 13-bout successful streak. Sitthichai mentioned that this may make a fighter a bit of overconfident or careless.
TO: I’m undefeated for a very long time, however I don’t see myself as an undefeated fighter. I’m an individual. I can all the time develop and all the time be taught.
I’m now on the highest stage that has ever existed in kickboxing on this division in ONE Championship. I can’t assume, ‘I’m 4 or 5 years undefeated, so I’ll win.’ I’ve taken this very severely. I don’t even take into consideration the fights I’ve gained earlier than as a result of it is a entire new period now.
ONE: You point out the power of the division. What do you consider the various nice fighters at featherweight with you?
TO: There isn’t a straightforward combat right here. I can’t decide one man that’s straightforward on this division. There isn’t a walkover. This has by no means occurred within the historical past of kickboxing, so many good strikers being in a single division on the similar time. Possibly the final time was Ok-1 MAX in Japan. However now, all the perfect guys from each group are collectively now, and it’s going to be nice.
ONE: Sitthichai additionally urged that you’ve a glass chin. What do you say to that?
TO: (Laughs) I’m glad he thinks that I’ve a glass chin! I hope he tries to come back at me and knock me out, then we’re going to get an actual combat. If he comes at me, he’s in peril. I hope he doesn’t draw back from a combat. I would like him to come back and contact my glass chin.
In some fights, he goes ahead however not all the time, so I hope he does – and if that’s the case, we’re going to have an excellent combat. Thai fighters are good at avoiding the combat, however I hope he comes at me and desires to the touch my glass chin. Then I’ll present him.
Learn extra: Meet The 2021 ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World GP Contenders
