Narimani talks Grimshaw bout at BAMMA 21: “I have paid my dues and I will make a statement”

‘If you are not pushing for the top…why are you doing this?’

That is a damn good question, and it applies to all facets of life but perhaps for a Mixed Martial Artist it holds even more truth. Certainly Nad Narimani thinks that way. The 7-2 featherweight contender is already to make his BAMMA debut June 13th against BAMMA and MMA veteran Ashleigh Grimshaw.

The tale of the tape in terms of experience falls heavily in favour of Grimshaw who sports a 16-8-1-2 almost three times as many pro fights as Narimani but this does not faze the Bristol based fighter in the least.

“Experience is a funny thing. He’s fought before, he knows how to train, he knows the routine with weight cuts, he knows the feeling you get when you get set to compete, he has been through it all before, as have I.”

Narimani has big fight experience and has faced some of the best that UKMMA has to offer. The two losses on his record come by way of a split decision loss to a Scottish MMA pioneer in Graham Turner, and in his last outing in the cage he went the distance with, the always excellent, Alex Enlund for the Cage Warriors World Featherweight Title, losing a decision in an intriguing fight.

Narimani’s view on fighting is simple: “It is about fighting the right fights, the right opponents, not about how many fights you have under your belt. I want fights that will challenge me, push me, to help me to become the best because if you’re not pushing for the top…why are you doing this? I have never fought a mug, I want to get to the top in this sport and crushing cans won’t help me.”

Grimshaw certainly cannot be placed in that category and this was all the makings of a fan friendly fight as both fighters look to position themselves for a shot against the current king of the BAMMA Featherweight Division Tom Duquesnoy.

This is the type of fight that Narimani relishes: “Grimshaw does not have many weaknesses. He has some power, some good jitz, he’s an all-rounder really. But I feel I will be sharper, I have made huge strides since the fight with Enlund, and I am looking to make a statement with this performance. I mean no disrespect to the many good promotions out there but BAMMA is the show to be on at the moment. It is about getting exposure the Spike UK TV deal and the quality of the roster make BAMMA the show to be on in the UK right now. I have paid my dues and I will make a statement to BAMMA that night.”

For those who have never seen Nad fight he is always going forward, always pressuring, and has cardio to go a full 25 minutes should he need to. However, he does see a finish in this fight “I am not going to do anything silly and over commit but I do see a finish in this fight by KO…or a rear naked choke. I have improved so much in the months away from competing, I will be too sharp, to focussed for Grimshaw. This fight means more to me than it does to him and that will make the difference June 20th”

BAMMA 21 takes place on Saturday 13th of June at the Barclay Card Arena, Birmingham. For ticket information and for the rest of the card head over to BAMMA.com

By @SteveCA_MMA

Photo: Cage Warriors