The first Gatti vs Ward

If you could fight anyone, who would it be?

The guy you say I can’t beat. I want that guy. 

So when you were younger, did you used to fight on the mean streets of Croydon?

I had a few scuffles in school, but for the most part I was chilled. You’re currently unbeaten as a pro. Looking through your record, you had a tough introduction, making your pro debut against the experienced Martin Sheridan who was 5-2 at the time; taking a unanimous decision on UCMMA. What did you learn from that fight?

I learnt not to underestimate someone’s toughness. I thought I was going to blast him out in round one, but he’s a tough dude. It was definitely a learning experience.   Another notable win on your resume was the TKO of Huseyin Garabet in Feb last year on Cage Warriors, in which you dominated on the feet and the ground. Did you feel that you’d be able to kick on from there in your career? Before that fight “I ‘ad so many demon in my ‘ead” (GSP voice, ha ha!); but the first thing I said to my coach after was that I felt like a proper professional MMA fighter now. 

It’s been well documented that no one wants to fight you, with numerous drop outs on multiple promotions. What are your thoughts on that & what can you do (if anything) to change it? If you don’t want to beat the best then you won’t be the best. The sport is full of pussies and people who don’t take this game seriously. They post on Facebook and Instagram about their once a week training session, but I’m out here grinding off radar.

I can maybe trash talk but what is the point? They are all protected by managers and coaches anyway.   You’ve featured on some of the best known shows in the UK. What’s been your favourite promotion to fight on so far?

I have had an enjoyable time everywhere I have fought. All you need is a cage, me and an opponent and I am happy. You’ve been out to train at Team Alpha Male in Sacremento on numerous occasions. What’s the biggest difference between training out there to training in the UK?

The intensity, the calibre of wrestlers and number of international athletes who are training there with you at any one time. I was able to pick up knowledge from all around the world. It also allowed me to see what level the UFC fighters are at first hand.   As you’ve been around so many high quality athletes, who’s been your toughest sparring partner?

Everyone has to be tough if they spar or train with me, people reading this article right now, yes you! Know you have to be on top form if you spar or train with me.   Considering how clinical you are in the cage, you’re part of a group of young MMA fighters who are renowned for being easy going and comical online. How do you go from funny Daniel to lethal Daniel so effortlessly? I don’t know! I am just being myself and that’s all I can do. People can sniff bullshit easily so what is the point in being fake?  Your good friend Mehrdad Janzemini (professional welterweight fighter) calls you ‘Chopper’. Care to elaborate? I’m hoping that’s because of your ruthlessness…. Ha ha ha! I am the chopper, I have a chopper. You either have it or you don’t. Shout out to the black side of my family.  Ha ha! It’s not only Mehrdad, we also have an undercover member who knows about the chopper he gives us all the juicy MMA gossip to keep the chopper tame! #Breadstick You’re fighting next in BAMMAagainst SBG’s Fransisco Albani Barrio. Barrio has had all of his fights overseas, so how much have you been able to see of him?

I haven’t put in any effort to watch him really. I’ve probably seen about 3-4 minutes of footage before I lock off and talk to my SOS group chat

#WWMD

#InRahmanWeTrust

#Undercover

#SOS I’m not even going to ask you to break down those hashtags! I’ll leave that to the fans to ask you. If you were a betting man, how and when would you expect this fight to finish?  

Me with my hands raised. That is all. Before we head off, who would you like to publicly thank?