TAKING a fight on short notice has led to a completely different preparation for Mildura MMA pro Jesse Medina.
The 33-year-old submission specialist normally takes on opponents at featherweight, but on Friday he steps up to Super Lightweight for the co-main event of the Rogue MMA 7 card in Melbourne.
‘Funky Cold’ Medina, who holds a 16-15 record and is aiming for his first scalp in 18 months following multiple injuries, will take on ‘Killer’ Kaan Husmek out of Absolute MMA, who had an outstanding amateur record of 7-1-1 but has lost his two professional bouts so far.
Somewhat ironically Medina, who normally fights two weight divisions lower, said he was tucking into a burger when the call came from his manager.
“This one came about on a bit of a short notice, I’d only fought a couple of weeks beforehand,” he said.
“My manager asked me about where my weight was and that there was an opening to fight … we managed to agree on fighting at 73.5kg which is a lot heavier than I am used to.
“It’s definitely made the lead in to this fight much more relaxed. I’m under weight already so there’s no need to cut.
“Myself and Gus McCallum had a really good session the other night, and I’ve done some strength sessions as well.
“Normally when you’re cutting you don’t even want to talk to anyone and you’re tapering more but my energy levels are up and I’m feeling pretty good. It’s such a different approach for me this time.”
While the current fight camp has been much less mentally taxing for the former Eternal MMA featherweight champion, he admitted it could also work against him.
“He is going to be a lot bigger than me so he has the weight advantage, whereas I’ll probably have the endurance and fitness if it goes through the rounds,” Medina said.
“I’ll need to use my experience and try not to get into too many exchanges with him, hopefully the longer I can make it go, the better chance I’ll have.
“Hopefully if I can use this to get a win on the board I can kind of get on a roll from there.
“I’ve been unlucky a few times in fights, copping a poke to the eye or little injuries you can’t really prepare for.
“I think I have another one lined up in November, so if I can win this one that’s definitely going to help.”
For more information follow Rogue MMA on Facebook.
