Marc ‘Bonecrusher’ Diakiese (16-5-0) is a Congolese-born English professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Featherweight division, representing Great Britain Top Team. He has competed for MMA Total Combat, the United Kingdom Regionals, Caged Steel, BAMMA and UFC.
I’d like to start things off by thanking you for taking the time to speak to me today Marc, and also to congratulate you on your upcoming inclusion to the UFC Fight Night 216 card.
“Thank you, thank you for having me.”
My pleasure mate.
And I know you’ve probably heard this a million times over but congratulations on your phenomenal victory at UFC London.
“Thank you, it meant a lot to get that win. It was a great experience as always in London, we got the win so that’s what matters.”
It was a phenomenal card, you were definitely one of my favourites to watch that night.
“Thank you.”
I trust training has been going well in the build-up to your highly anticipated return to the UFC cage?
“Yeah of course, I’m in a better place for my training at GB Top Team, everything’s going great. I’ve got good partners, good coaches, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
On my many visits here, I can see you all put one hundred percent into each and every training session.
A lot can be taken from previous outings, have you watched your fight back much with Damir? What did you take from your victory?
“I watched it back, yeah, there’s still a lot to improve. I’ve been working on a lot of things, more Khabib control, controlling the legs, mounting and getting ground and pound which I didn’t do very much. My control, I know where it’s at, it’s at a very high level. I came to GB Top Team to really try and improve on that, working on ground and pound and my control, to just be more dominant really.”
I’m looking forward to seeing all the improvements mate.
This is your sixth year on Dana White’s roster, full of memories and highlight reels that have wowed fight fans and given the UK fans a warrior to be proud of.
Has there been a specific moment Ince joining the roster that will forever hold a special place for you?
“Yeah, it was when I did that Two-Touch kick in London, that was my best experience. Apart from that, travelling everywhere really, seeing the world. It’s been 6 years, I’m a vet now, it’s all about travelling and enjoying myself you know, enjoying the journey. I felt like I never used to enjoy it much because of the pressure but now I’m improving, working on myself, enjoying the involvement.”
That’s great to hear man, always better when the pressure is off and you get to soak up the experience. It must have been amazing the 1st time being in America, it’s always been a dream of mine to visit one day.
“For me, America wasn’t really a dream. I know that’s where everyone wants to be, that’s where everyone wants to fight. But for me it wasn’t really a dream. But Fighting in Vegas, I was like wow, I just fought in Vegas.”
Fight capital of the world really.
“Yeah, definitely.”
Your return will see you take on yet another highly rated competitor in Michael ‘The Menace’ Johnson, and no doubt be a very exciting match up for yourself.
What do you make of Michael in the build-up to your scheduled meeting in December?
“I highly respect Michael Johnson, I’ve watched him since I’ve been fighting, I’ve always watched him. He’s sprawl and brawl, a tough opponent, he’s beaten some of the top names I’ve trained with, some of the guys I know and you know. For me, it’s one of the biggest fights I’ve had, I’m grateful for him to have taken it. I wanna showcase what I’m capable of now, I feel ready, it’s gonna be nice fighting someone like him moving forward.”
I think it’s an amazing matchup, gonna be absolute fireworks.
“One hundred percent.”
Yours is but a sample of what’s to come as we near the end of 2022 on what’s been one of the most explosive years for the world of MMA. Other than your inclusion on the night are there any matchups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?
“Hmmm, not really no. The past 2 years I’ve been more focused on myself and what I wanna fight like, so I watch them guys. But the card this weekend, Charles Oliveira vs Islam Makhachev, I’m looking forward to that. I’m not really the kind of guy that will sit and watch loads of fights, I kind of get the skills from seeing the fights I like to watch.”
Same here, that fight is gonna be electric.
It’s been an absolute honour speaking with you today Marc, and I wish you all the best in your preparations for December.
“I appreciate that mate, thank you.”
Last but not least do you have a message for the fans that will be in attendance on December 3rd and anybody you’d like to give a shout-out to?
“Thank you to the people that truly support me that give the one hundred percent support I need. Keep watching, there’s more to come from me, I’m working on it. I don’t like to let my fans down. I’m trying to be a champion so it’s about using my skills, calculating fights not going out there being stupid. Now I’m climbing up the ranks, I will get there. So just keep watching, keep supporting. I appreciate it, All love.”
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