Sep 30 Big Deal Taking a Big Step: Ryan Jimmo talks about MFC matchup with Eastman

The last time that Ryan Jimmo fought, some critics said that it wasn’t his best performance when he beat Mychal Clark at Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC) 21: Hard Knocks in May. Well, Jimmo is ready to silence those people when he faces UFC veteran Marvin Eastman at MFC 22: Payoff this Friday. Sine his last fight, the Saint John native has moved to Edmonton for his career and it’s been a good one.

“Everything is great. I have stepped up my game to a whole new level,” says Jimmo.

“I train with more pros. I train with a new strength and conditioning guy. He is making me more explosive and faster which I didn’t think was possible, but I guess it is. Everything is going well. My weight is one point and my timing is beautiful.”

This will be Jimmo’s first fight since moving from Halifax this year to Alberta. Some of the pros he is now training with include Tim Hague, Victor Valemaki and on occasion Ryan Ford.

While Jimmo has some "name" guys on his list of wins that include Ultimate Fighter Three contestant Jesse Forbes and former kickboxing champion Rick Roufus, none are as big as Eastman. The Beastman holds wins over Rampage Jackson, Jason MacDonald and Alan Belcher. Jimmo could be nervous heading in but it won’t play a factor to him on the bad side of the match.

“To be honest, yeah I get stunned. Every fight you get nervous and any fighter who tells you otherwise are lying,” says Jimmo.

“Sure there is a little weight added because it’s Eastman, but that is what makes the top athletics from the ones who aren’t. The guy who can rise to the occasion and use the nervous energy for a productive means and the guys who get beaten by it. I am using that nervous energy more like a fuel.”

Coming into this fight, Jimmo is at a crossroads in his career. Entering his prime at 27, he was a contestant on season eight of the Ultimate Fighter and is riding a 10 fight winning streak. While Jimmo is happy to be fighting with the MFC, he still has the goal to fight for the UFC. A win over Eastman could be that big step for him. His game plan needs to work off perfect and Jimmo thinks he has the tools that can get the job done.

“Size wise, I am bigger. He is short and stalkier guy, but I got a longer reach and I weigh around 225, 230,” says Jimmo.

“My youth and my speed is there. My standup is very technical and on the ground, I am not afraid of him either. Wherever the fight wants to go, I believe I will beat him, but I am going to look at keeping it standing.”

It is hard to say what will happen this Friday, but we should expect some fireworks, win or lose form Jimmo. That can come from his fight or his break dancing moves if he wins.

MFC 22: Payoff can be seen Friday on HDNet

Tags: Marvin Eastman \ MFC 22 \ MMA \ Ryan Jimmo