British starlet going Stateside
by Ben Blackmore, 14 May 2008
There are bucket-loads of reasons for watching “UFC 84: ILL WILL” on May 24, BJ Penn’s title defence, Wanderlei Silva’s light-heavyweight farewell, but one man who should not be overlooked is Britain’s own Terry Etim.
The 22-year-old Liverpudlian is coming off his first loss in MMA, a points defeat to Gleison Tibau at “UFC 75” in London.
Etim is expected to go far in The UFC lightweight division though, and at 6ft 1in he boasts a similarly big frame to that of Amir Khan, and with the promising talent to match.
UFC president Dana White and Joe Silva certainly acknowledge Etim’s skill range and have handed him a rare fight in Las Vegas against Rich “No Love” Clementi – a man who holds no fears for the Briton.
“I’ve had a lay off after getting beat at UFC 75, and have worked very hard on all aspects of my game. I will be a different fighter next week in Vegas from the one in London,” promised Etim (10-1).
“I found out about the fight in January, and was very excited to get the chance to fight on such a massive card, sold out, in Las Vegas. It is incredible to be on a card with legends like BJ Penn and Wanderlei Silva but I’m not letting myself think about the occasion like that.
“I am thinking about Clementi and my fight and that’s it. Afterwards I will get a ringside seat and enjoy the occasion but I am trying to think of things as just another fight.”
Clementi will go in as the massive favourite at “UFC 84”, having submitted Melvin Guillard and Anthony Jackson via his favoured rear naked choke during a five-bout winning streak, but Etim isn’t worried.
“Clementi is a very well know name in The UFC. He was in the Ultimate Fighter TV show and he is coming off some very good wins in The UFC so this is a big chance for me.
“He’s a very good opponent, very experience and well rounded, and he’s come down from welterweight so is strong. But I am strong myself and am 6ft 1in so he won’t be bullying me in the clinches.
“His nickname is a bit girly, though, what does “No Love” mean?”
Tickets for UFC 85 at London’s o2 Arena available at ticketmaster.co.uk.