Mihai ‘The Prodigy’ Balint (3-3-0) is a Romanian amateur Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Welterweight division, representing Great Britain Top Team. He has competed for WCMMA, UCMMA, Ambition Fight Series and Fightstar Championship.
I’d like to start things off by thanking you for taking the time to speak with me today Mihai, and also to congratulate you on your upcoming inclusion to the Fightstar Championship 23 card.
“I really appreciate it man, it’s nice to get some recognition. I’m looking forward to the night.”
I hope training has been going well in the build-up to your scheduled return to the Fightstar cage?
“Yeah man, training’s been good at GB Top Team, the trainers are great. I’ve been working on my strength and conditioning, everything is on the road to be honest and getting there.”
What has been your main focus as you prepare to go to war alongside your teammates on November 19th?
“If I’m honest, I’m improving in everything. From striking to my wrestling, which I think is quite good, it’s the best trait I have, these have been my main focus.”
I caught your last fight at Fightstar and previous bouts, your wrestling is quite a high level.
“Yeah, it’s quite good to be honest. I have to work on my conditioning though, because in my last fight it wasn’t that good haha. In the first round I felt a little gassed out so I couldn’t use the wrestling. I shot for some takedowns in the third because I almost got knocked down hahaha.”
Training with some of the fiercest competitors in the fight game at Great Britain Top Team, you have a vast amount of knowledge at your disposal to progress on your amateur career. What does it mean to you to be part of the well-oiled machine that is GB Top Team?
“I’m very grateful to be here man, the training is going well and the guys are at a very high level. The trainers are top notch, Ash, Brad and Barry as well, they’re all so great.”
I completely agree, on my many visits and speaking with a lot who train here, they all hold the trim in such high regard.
“The level is so high, you train with Cage Warriors and UFC guys it’s just amazing. It’s such a confidence boost, the guys are very humble as well. There’s no egos here, no arrogance, it’s an amazing place to be.”
No doubt we will see you on those stages one day.
“Hopefully bro, hopefully. When I’m 33 you’ll hopefully see me in the UFC hahaha, that’s the plan. I need to get saving to get the free time to train as much as I can, so hopefully.”
Your inclusion to Fightstar Championship 22 back in July, marked your 6th outing on your amateur journey. From your accumulated cage time, what has stood out for you as you set out for your 7th walk to the cage?
“I got my first 5 fights in the space of a year since I started training, I took some time off and built up some anxiety in regards to fighting. But after I fought I completely got rid of it, so I have to keep active, keep that mental focus. Plus, when you get a fight, it motivates you more tk come and train and visit the gym every night to spar. Because if there’s no fight you’re like uh ah, not tonight fuck it, I’ll just smash a kebab haha. So a key moment for me is to have a fight once every 2 or 3 months hopefully, to keep myself active and motivated and keep up with the training.”
This is a great place to keep that motivation going.
“Yeah, it’s very nice man. I work at the moment so I always come here to level up, even after a 8 hour work day.”
Looking forward, you are set to take on Wild Fighters gyms Paulius Totoraitis in one of the many high quality amateur bouts of the evening. What do you make of Paulius in the build-up to your scheduled collision London?
“I’ve watched this guy, his fights are quite entertaining. He doesn’t have boring fights, it’s not like he goes out there and the fights are over in 30 seconds. The guys going to decisions so the guys impressive. Most recently at CWSE, he got the fucking knockout hahaha, with a great high-kick. It motivated me more to come in to train as much as I can, I don’t wanna get knocked out hahaha.”
What does it mean to you to once again take the walk to the Fightstar cage?
“It’s great to fight there again, it’s such a properly run show. Raj organises it all so well, the staff, the cage, the arena everything is so nice. It’s a great show to get some recognition and get some of that clout you know hahaha, hopefully I get to get some more fights in the future.”
It’s turned into one of my must see shows. I agree, it’s very well run.
“Yeah man, it’s definitely in the top 3 of regional cards in my opinion, especially for the amateurs.”
Including yourself, many exceptional fighters have been added to what could be the biggest Fightstar event to date. Other than your inclusion on the night are there any matchups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?
“The main one I’m hoping to see is my teammate Bane, I think there’s some other guys from the gym also. There’s some very good professionals on the card also, I’ve seen an ex Bellator fighter Nathan Jones in the Main-Event. It’s great to be on the same card, it’s gonna be a great audience as well, this is probably gonna be one of the biggest Fightstar events to date. I’m looking forward to seeing my teammates win their fights one hundred percent, in regards to everyone else fighting, good luck to them as well.”
I’m looking forward to the Main-Event aslo, to be honest, I always look forward to witnessing each and every fight on the card. Always some entertaining bouts at Fightstar.
It’s been an absolute pleasure speaking with you today Mihai, I look forward to witnessing you out there again as well as witnessing your journey unfold.
“He bro, it’s a pleasure to have met you and thank you very much for having me. It’s my first interview, thank you very much. I really appreciate it.”
You’re very welcome mate, it’s great to have met you.
Last but not least do you have a message for the fans that will be in attendance and anybody you’d like to give a shout-out to?
“For my friends who will be coming and to all my coaches, I appreciate you all. It’s gonna be a great night, I look forward to putting on a good show.”
Catch Mihai and many more phenomenal warriors take centre stage at what’s shaping up to be an incredible fight card on November 19th at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London. Tickets will be made available from the fighters as well as via the Fightstar Championship Website here.
Fightstar Championship are proudly affiliated with the English Mixed Martial Arts Association (EMMAA) who’s prime goal is To develop and promote the education, training and safeguarding of young people, competitors and coaches in MMA.
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