Ciaran Clarke: “He’s going to be coming in guns’ blazing, but I’m well-prepared”

DUBLIN, IRELAND – Just days away from another historic event in Dublin, Ireland, the fighters of BELLATOR MMA 285: Henderson vs. Queally spoke to the media today ahead of their fights scheduled for this Friday, September 23 at the 3Arena.

Headlined by a five-round main event between Benson “Smooth” Henderson (29-11) ranked No. 3 and local hero and Peter “The Showstopper” Queally ranked No. 5 (13-6-1), BELLATOR 285 is supported by a delicious cast of MMA’s top talent, with legends of the sport, local stars and international challengers hoping to crash the Irish party.

The co-main event features No. 8-ranked light heavyweight veteran Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero (14-6) taking on another legend of the sport in Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef (32-15-1).

The main card will air live in the US on SHOWTIME at 4 pm ET/1 pm ET.

Overseas, the main card will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer and in Ireland on Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport from 9pm BST. The preliminary card will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC iPlayer and in Ireland on Virgin Media from 6pm BST.

CIARAN CLARKE: BELLATOR FEATHERWEIGHT: “You’re going to get to this stage. It’s going to come at full speed, but I’m well prepared. This camp has been good. It has been long. As soon as you find out, it’s in the back of your mind. It has been well. It’s getting a lot more attention, so I was looking forward to it… It’s kind of pure muay thai style, pure jiu jitsu. I looked at his log and tried to find footage of his fight. I’ve done the IMMAF, guys from Belarus who I’ve never seen fight before. I’m ready to go anywhere.” “He followed me for the last twelve weeks. It’s going to be good. All profits and money that is generated goes to a local charity in Ireland called Save Our Sons and Daughters; it’s for mental health.” “It’s a bit crazy. You’re envisioning all the scenarios that can happen with this opponent, and then six days later he walks away. I could not believe it. I was like, ‘What is he doing? Fight week? But I’ve trained for this, so I’m prepared. I needed to fight. All emotions run through my head. I didn’t care. I just wanted someone on Friday night. I’m here at BELLATOR now, so I’m ecstatic to have a fight… I was happy to have an opponent.” “I guess if you look at my history, I stayed a fan longer. This is my 30th fight now. I attribute it to everything. I’ve done it all. I’ve fought the fighter, the wrestler, the Brazilian, the Russian, the guy who’s 20 years older than me… those things prepare you to see your opponent in the hotel, so it’s great to have that experience.” . “It means a lot coming from John. John singled me out out of all of them… I feel like he’s always put me at the forefront of his mind. I say, ‘How can I thank you?’ He says: ‘Get the victories. That’s how you can thank me.’” “I hate answering questions when it comes to the future because it’s out of my control. Just getting the win on Friday, that’s what I’m focused on. It’s just that all the systems are on. Time to go for Friday. “Because of what has happened even in Ireland in general, there are two ways to grow. I thought, ‘What happened? How was I strong enough? I did not have a different education than some people. I want to help people. It’s a big thing for me. For people to say that I am a role model is crazy. That’s also pressure.” “I just want to feel comfortable there. I want that opponent to get the best of me. I’m really looking forward to it and I’m really excited for this one. This is my chance on Friday to do my highlight tape. I love the fighting part.” “I’ve learned that I’m a lot tougher than I think I am. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs as an amateur. You get to the age where things need to start happening. I always knew something good would come out of this sport; I’ve put too much into this sport not to get something out. That’s the plan, go in and get the win. “It adds pressure, but I’m fully aware of how much it costs them to get here. I want to go out here and put on a show for the people ”.

BELLATOR 285: HENDERSON VS. QUEALLY FIGHT CARD:

MAIN CARD: SHOWTIME (US) / BBC Three (UK) / Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)Friday September 23: 9pm GMT/4pm ET/1pm PT

Lightweight fight: #3: Benson Henderson (29-11) vs. #5: Peter Queally (13-6-1) Light heavyweight fight: #7: Yoel Romero (14-6) vs. #9: Melvin Manhoef ( 32)-15-1)Women’s Featherweight Fight: #5-Leah McCourt (6-2) vs. #9-Dayana Silva (10-7)Featherweight Fight: #3-Mads Burnell (16-4) vs. #5-Pedro Carvalho (12-6) Featherweight fight: Ciaran Clarke (5-0) vs. Raphael Hudson (5-3)

PRELIMINARY CARD: BELLATOR MMA YouTube Channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube Channel | Pluto TV (US) BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND) 6pm GMT/1pm ET/10am PT

Bantamweight fight: Brett Johns (18-3) vs. Jordan Winski (12-3) Bantamweight fight: Brian Moore (14-9) vs. Arivaldo Lima da Silva (19-10) Light heavyweight fight: #6-Karl Albrektsson (13-3) vs. Karl Moore (9-2) Lightweight fight: Darragh Kelly (1-0) vs. Kye Stevens (3- 1, 1 NC) Lightweight fight: Georgi Karakhanyan (31-13-1) vs. Kane Mousah (13-4) Featherweight fight: Kenny Mokhonoana (3-0) vs. Alex Bodnar (4-1) Featherweight fight: Asael Adjoudj (3-1) vs. Jordan Barton (7-2) Welterweight fight: Dante Schiro (9-3) vs. Luca Poclit (7-1)

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. He is passionate about combat sports and also hosts a podcast for Sitting Ringside. He is also a former MMA Fighter and Kickboxer.

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