The stakes are high in the main event of Titan FC 34 as two former UFC lightweights will compete for the Titan FC Lightweight Championship. Pat Healy and Mike Ricci both have made impressive runs after being released from the biggest MMA organization in the world.
For Mike Ricci, he believes there isn’t much more he can do in terms of proving to the UFC that he’s worthy of a second chance.
“What else do you want me to do? Since I’ve been released I’ve headlined three cards. All three fights were on national TV, now I’m fighting for a title. If after this win I don’t get back into the UFC, I guess I might just have to accept the fact that I’m probably never going to be in the UFC.” Mike Ricci says.
Mike Ricci spoke to A Gentleman’s Fight Podcast about his title fight with Pat Healy, knowing that an impressive win on Fight Pass would do a lot to help his career (16:00).
Even if Ricci doesn’t get a call from the UFC to make a return, the Montreal native insists that it won’t impact his motivation for success in the sport.
“I just haven’t made the UFC my priority anymore. It use to be when I was younger. Now that I’ve been there and I’m back here, for sure from a career standpoint and a financial standpoint it’s the place you want to be, but I can’t really keep fighting and not be motivated, or else I’ll end up getting my ass whooped.”
Ricci was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 16, knocking out current UFC Top 15 welterweight Neil Magny in the semi-finals before losing a decision to Colton Smith in the finals.
Ricci’s TUF season was better known for its knucklehead characters than its fighters, most notable being Julian Lane, who coined the term, “let me bang bro.” Ricci was an easy target for the other housemates due to his quiet demeanor and sense of style.
“Yeah they were ripping into me in that house. I like to dress, I like to look good. I never think you can be too dressed up. I’m a mature guy and so I can handle people making fun of me.”
The 29 year old is use to taking criticism for the way he dresses. He insists that growing up in Montreal, dressing up shows professionalism.
“I feel like when you dress up, it’s a form of manners. It shows politeness. I think people think that I dress nicely because I think highly of myself or that I’m a snob. I’ve had people go as far as call me homosexual. I guess it comes with the territory.”
Ricci’s focus is firmly planted on winning the Titan FC Lightweight Championship. Teammate Rory MacDonald is also fighting for a championship within the same month, meaning that business at Tri-Star is picking up.
“The gym is competitive right now. Both us having 5 round fights, sparring is lasting longer and it’s bringing out the best in everyone. The gym is packed and full of studs.”
When it comes to his opponent ,the current Titan FC Lightweight Champion Pat Healy, Ricci knows that a drawn out game-plan won’t suffice, and that the goal will ultimately be to hurt Healy.
“My gameplan is to just hurt Pat Healy. He’s so tough. He’s the kind of guy who will just stand right in front of you no matter what, unless you hurt him.”
Titan FC 34 takes place on July 18th in Kansas City, Missouri and features four championship fights. The entire event will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.
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