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Greg Loughran Upbeat Despite Berto Loss
10 Apr 2010
By Dean Parr
Last Saturday, EFR’s Greg Loughran, now 18-14, took on Edson Berto, losing by heel hook after 2:05 in the first round. The Northern Ireland lightweight was disappointed with how the fight ended.
“I’m disappointed of course,“ remarked Greg. “I trained hard for that fight, and my preparation was perfect. I can’t blame anything , it’s just one of those things.”
He also described how the fight went for those who haven’t yet seen it. “I was hoping Edson would stand and trade with me,“ he revealed. “I caught him a few at the start, and he didn’t want to know. I got up from his first takedown ready to trade again, but he shot again. I reversed him, but then he went for the heel hook which I defended at first but let go off his head throwing an elbow which let him apply the sub. I tried fighting it, but my ankle went ‘pop, pop’ so it was time to tap.”
Loughran also admitted to being a little surprised by Berto’s strategy. He said, “I knew he had that ankle lock, but I thought he would have stood. I wanted a battle with him, but I guess he got flash backs from his war with Jason Ball.”
In spite of this though, Greg is by no means thinking of turning his back on the sport he loves. “First of all, I’m grateful to have the health and ability to fight in such a tough and exciting sport,“ he enthused. “MMA fighters don’t get credit for their preparation. In my opinion, we are the toughest athletes about!
“It’s been a dream fighting here,“ continued Loughran. “I’m disappointed, but I know I’ll be back; I have the hunger! I’m on three losses in a row, but it’s been against Eddie Alvarez who’s number three in the world, Eric Reynolds the current Florida State Champ and Edson, an ex-state Champ and Elite XC veteran.”
Fighting closer to home is also something that Greg is strongly considering. “I want to get back on the UK scene again,” he divulged. “I’ll fight whoever my management think is a good fight for me. The UK is definitely the next option for me. I want to get a win again and build on it.”
“I take each fight as it comes,“ he flowed. “Nothing is concrete in MMA, but as long as I’ve still got the hunger, I’ll compete, I’ve been here before and I burst back on an eight fight winning streak. This time I’ve more experience behind me, and my objective is to get back to winning ways.”
To conclude, Greg had a few thanks to make. He beamed, “I’d like to thank everyone that helped me with this fight, Tommy Gleeson and his family, Cage Warriors, Gracie Barra Orlando, Oakleaf Contracts and all my other sponsors.”
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