Interview brought to you Century MMA
We got a chance to sit down with Joey Beltran after a very close fight with Pat Barry at UFC Fight For The Troops 2. We talk to Joey about the fight and how long it will be before he is back at Alliance Training Center and more. Why are you still reading this, scroll down and read the interview.
FHTV: Talk to me about fight, what was the game plan against Pat Barry?
JB: The game plan was to control the distance on the feet. Either being all the way in or all the way out of range. Smash against the fence and dirty box while looking for the takedown.
FHTV: The bullying was working really good and neutralizing Barry, how do you feel about the ref restarting you in the center of the ring.
JB: Especially in the 3rd round I think I was more than busy and on my way to possible stopping Barry until we were separated. In the end I cannot blame the ref or judges but after watching the replay I am definitely upset that I wasn’t allowed to fight my fight. I thought octagon control was one of the judges criteria.
FHTV: The poke in the eye really changed things around in the fight, not to take anything away from Pat Barry but could you see anything after that?
JB: About the eye poke, first I do not in anyway think it was intentional. Second, I absolutely could not see out of my left eye but quitting or taking the easy way out never crossed my mind. The last minute thirty I was fighting with one eye against arguably the deadliest striker in the UFC. And took a beating to finish the round.
FHTV: You were very emotional after the fight, what would you like for people to understand about a fighters state after a physical draining fight like that.
JB: I still thought I did enough up to that point to win but oh well what’s done is done.
FHTV: We know that you always say you try to put on amazing fights, this was a great fight. What would you want the fans to know about your performance that night.
JB: I am still proud of myself for the fight I fought. I remember half way through the second round laughing to myself because there I was standing in the middle of the octagon more than holding my own with a K1 striker.
FHTV: What is next for Joey Beltran, how long will you take off before you’re back in the gym.
JB : I’m already back in the gym lifting and getting stronger and riding my bike. Ill be fully back training as soon as I get my stitches out of my eyelid(from the poke). Yup there ain’t no rest for the wicked.
FHTV: Any thing you want to say to the Joey Beltran haters?
JB: I felt I was landing shots, that I could tell were hurting him and I almost dropped him at the end of the second round. So at the end of the day I think its pretty cool a chubby Mexican brawler from San Diego went the distance with Pat Barry.
