UFC Lightweight Mitch Clarke went a perfect 9-0 with seven stoppage victories before getting the call to fight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The Canadian has amassed a record of 2-4 in the UFC, but is looking to improve upon that in 2017.
The Sprawl caught up with Clarke ahead of 2017 to see what his plans are for the year and more.
You’re 2-4 in the UFC, and have lost two in a row, where do you go from here?
Realistically, I just regroup, keep training and keep improving. If I spend too much time focusing on the past I’m never gonna move forward in the future. The way you describe it, 2-4 doesn’t tell the entire story either. And realistically it’s not about records, for me it’s about fighting, the dedication in training and about being able to show some of your soul.
Your last loss was a submission loss in under one minute, that must have been devastating?
Well it certainly wasn’t awesome. As I said before, this doesn’t tell the whole story either. Notice how I couldn’t walk out of the cage after the fight? When I threw that one punch and sat back something felt wrong in my knee and then he threw that bomb overhand right and when I went to step there was nothing there. On the ground I couldn’t lift my leg no matter how much I tried and he took my back and finished me. Unfortunately, it happens. We’re not building sand castles out there, it’s just unfortunate to train so hard and have your body fail you in one of the most important moments. I had to spend 4 months rehabbing a torn meniscus, PCL and LCL. So now I just look for redemption.
You obviously have victories over some big names such as John Maguire and Al Iaquinta, is there anybody you want next?
I’m just looking at moving forward, I’m very disappointed at how the last one shook out but I had a lot of growth personally in changing camps and I look to use that to get better and plan on showing what I can do in the next fight.
What is your overall plan for 2017? Where do you hope to be at the end of the year?
I would like to compete 3 times next year. Either in fights or BJJ. I’d like to try and compete in no-gi worlds this year if possible but my main focus is to get at least two fights and compete a third time. Really this year is about growth and being able to show it.
Do you have anything to say to your loyal supporters?
I want to thank all my supporters. I have some great fans out there who support me and the sport itself. I’ll be back and I plan on showing what I can do.
