CFC 10 fighter Elijah Hill plans on not leaving this fight in the hands of the judges
Clarksville, Tennessee: Johnathan Ivey’s Cage Fighting Championships 10 will take place on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at Appleton Harley-Davidson in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Elijah Hill made his MMA debut back in March of this year at CFC 9 where he lost a very close split decision. June 26th he returns to the CFC but this time at light heavyweight to take on Andrew Stewart at CFC 10. CEO of FightBook MMA Roberto Villa had the pleasure to talk to Elijah about his upcoming fight. Check out the conversation below.
FBMMA: Elijah we appreciate you taking the time to talk with us just a couple weeks before your fight at CFC 10. How has training been going for you leading up to this fight?
Elijah: Training has been consistent, and non stop. I’ve been working on technique, and my endurance as much as I can. Especially mentality.
FBMMA: You made your debut into the sport of MMA at CFC 9 back in March. How was that experience for you and was there anything that shocked you about fighting in a cage for the first time?
Elijah: The experience was fun, once I went inside that cage I felt calm and focused. The thing that shocked me was that I was fighting a big ass guy bout 300lb+ and I was around 230lb at the time but I had no problem fighting him. Just a night to show who I am what to prove.
FBMMA: You’re moving down from the heavyweight division down to the light heavyweight division, you’ll be fighting opponents smaller in size but they’ll be faster and more athletic. Do you think the light heavyweight division is where you belong?
Elijah: After this fight I’m moving down to 185lb. After every fight I’m moving down to see where I belong so it’s just for experience and fun. Plus hopefully I’ll look like Yoel Romero after this. But heavyweight doesn’t seem like my comfort place as I’ve been wanting to lose weight for the longest.
FBMMA: June 26th you’re fighting a debuting fighter Andrew Stewart. He’s never heard his name called to make that walk from the dressing room, he’s never heard that cage door lock behind him. Do you think you’ll be at a advantage considering you’ve already experienced those experiences back in march and know the feelings that come along with them?
Elijah: I’ve only been in a a cage once, I’ve been in a ring once. I believe my experience with my team will help me the most. A lot of people especially professionals gets those prefight nerves before stepping into the octagon or ring and I believe it’s completely normal. It’s just a feeling we all learn to work with. But surprisingly I didn’t feel nervous for my first fight even though knowing I was fighting a big ass polar bear. This time I’m keeping more of a better mentality in a fight though.
FBMMA: Elijah give us a prediction on the fight, how is your fight going to end on June 26th?
Elijah: I believe we’re going through all three rounds, but last time that happened the judges played me and gave the decision to Dedman. Everyone in the crowd after the fight actually believed I won. I was walking around watching my team and people came up to me telling me they thought I won, even the ref thought so, even the promoter did (laughs). So it was all just a lesson to leave the decision to myself and not the judges. And that’s what I’m planning to do every time from now on.
FBMMA: Thanks for talking with us here at Fightbook MMA Elijah, is there anyone you would like to thank or give a shoutout to before we go?
Elijah: I’d like to thank my team for pushing me every time I thought I was at my limit. Without them I’d probably just throw haymakers 24/7.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
