Ryan Edmundson: “I was looking for a finish from the bell!”
The stacked KTMMA 3 card was not just about the prestigious England versus China bouts as there were some incredible domestic match-ups featured too, including an ISKA World title fight and the opening bout of the evening which saw the Bear Pit’s Ryan Edmundson take on Double K gyms Fredricko Remy, both men known as dangerous strikers. Edmundson exploded onto the scene as a teenager and quickly earned a reputation as a devastating finisher but he will be the first to admit that his recent form has been inconsistent. Well, the ‘Bodysnatcher’ was in a ‘take no prisoners’ mood at KTMMA 3 and stunned the crowd with a stoppage finish in under two minutes of the opening round.
Edmundson knew that KTMMA was the perfect stage to make a statement of renewed intent and was grateful of the opportunity-“I was very impressed by the show, I couldn't quite believe where I was and it still feels like a dream representing my little gym from Bristol on such a professional stage.” Ryan certainly didn’t prove overawed by the occasion and this he puts down to his preparation for the fight, which was intense. “I have been getting hammered by my trainers Mike James and Mike Belgrave for weeks in preparation at the bearpit, working on new ways of fighting and finally adapting to the K-1 style of striking and as a result I was looking for a finish from the bell.”
Ryan wasn’t the only one, as Fredricko also came straight out firing on all cylinders, giving the fans an absolute war to start the show. It was just under two minutes of frantic action with both men looking for the big stoppage and exchanging hurtful techniques consistently. “I knew my opponent was an extremely good fighter and a worthy champion and I had the utmost respect for him and his gym, so I had to close him down quickly and let my hands go and at some point I knew I was going to catch him clean.”
The victory is seen by Ryan as a fresh start to his career, notably at the new weight of 68kg and he credits his fiancée Claire with his ability to reach and stay at the weight, a prospect that fills him with confidence for the future. “I feel this is where I belong and where my career can start. As for any future plans I will continue to build up our gym, listen to my trainers and leave my upsetting past experiences behind me. I am ready to tackle the future one small step at a time and keep smiling the whole way from now on. The body snatcher is back!”
KTMMA 3 was presented in association with
www.138.com