"You can expect agressive, entertaining peformances from me. I want to win fights in spectacular fashion by whatever means possible. I will be fit and ready for any opponent. My conditoning and heart are second to none and I'm here to show the world what I can do. Bellator, here I come," stated Aisling Daly as she talked about her U.S. debut in the upcoming Bellator Season 3 Women's Tournament. Check it out!
PC: How are you doing Aisling?
AD: Hey, I'm very good. Thanks! Very busy lately with training and getting ready for my big U.S. debut.
PC: Congrats for being signed to the Bellator tournament. How did you receive the news?
AD: I'm so happy to be in the Bellator tournament. It's the biggest opportunity I've ever had as a fighter. It's my opportunity to show what I can finally do on the international stage. I think some have an image that I'm some kind of substandard little Irish fighter here to make up the numbers and I'm here to show I'm not. The talent that Bellator has put together in the tournament is amazing and every fight is going to be tough, but I look forward to the challenge.
PC: The tournament doesn't start until August 12th, but have you begun training and if so, how is it going?
AD: My first Bellator fight is actually on August 19th. I'm always training to a certain extent, but as soon as I heard there was a possibility of being in the tournament, I began to up the intensity of my training. I'm training flat out now and it's going great. I'm in the best shape I've ever been, physically and mentally. I have a great team behind me and I can't wait to get in there and compete.
PC: What did you think of Zoila Frausto's knockout win over Rosi Sexton, which ultimately knocked Sexton out of the tourney?
AD: I did watch the fight. I stayed up till crazy o'clock Irish time to watch the fight with my coach, as obviously we had an interest in it. I think Rosi just made a mistake and got caught and I reckon if that fight happened 10 times over, Rosi would win the majority. Zoila's stand-up did look fairly sharp for the whole 2 minutes of time I saw of her. I think the times of being a one-dimensional fighter are over though. Everyone needs to be well-rounded. If not, the holes in your game will be exploited by someone.
PC: There are a lot of tough girls that will be participating in this tournament. Do you have a preference of who you would like to fight first?
AD: In honesty, I had most hoped to compete against Rosi. I have a lot of repsect for her and would have loved to test myself, but now that she's out, I just want to fight whatever top competition is left. Every fight will be tough. I'm not here to drag out boring decision wins. I like to win fights, so that's what I'm going to do.
PC: Megumi Fuji is widely known as one of the best female fighters in the world. She's coming off of her first win by TKO. How do you think your skills match up against someone like Fuji?
AD: I also have alot of respect and admiration for Fuji. She had a good win against Sarah, but at the same time, she looked very beatable in that fight. I'm very well-rounded and determined, so I think my skills match up well against anyone in the tournament. I don't think anyone in the tournament has an agressive style like mine.
PC: Are you a fan of the tournament style in which Bellator is running this female competition?
AD: In honest, I never paid too mcuh attention to Bellator before they started having female fights. I do like the tournament format though. It gives nearly all the top 115-pounders on the planet the opportunity to compete against each other, which has never been done before, so it's great.
PC: What can we expect from Aisling Daly in this tournament?
AD: You can expect agressive, entertaining peformances from me. I want to win fights in spectacular fashion by whatever means possible. I will be fit and ready for any opponent. My conditoning and heart are second to none and I'm here to show the world what I can do. Bellator, here I come!
PC: Good luck to you. I look forward to speaking to you again once the tournament gets going. Is there anything you want to say in closing; anybody you want to thank?
AD: Most importantly, I'd like to say thanks to my coach, John Kavanagh. He's my support and my inspiration. I wouldn't be anywhere near the fighter I am without him. I want him in my corner for any and all fights. I'd also like to thank my entire team at Straight Blast Gym. We've got a great, hard-working atmosphere going. I'd like to say thanks to everyone else who helps me prepare for fights: Eoin Lacey, at ISI, for my strength and conditioning, David, who looks after my crazy head, and Owen and Conor at SBG for my thaiboxing and boxing. Thanks to everyone who's supported me. I promise I will do you guys proud.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]