Rob Sinclair: I'm fighting at 30% of my potential (BAMMA 10 Preview)

Just before Jon Jones and Vitor Belfort lock horns inside the Octagon, the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts will return to action with a promising BAMMA 10 line-up on September 15th. The event will take place at London 2012-tested Wembley Arena, headlined by BAMMA World Lightweight title fight between Andre Winner and Rob Sinclair. Jack Marshman and Andrew Punshon will battle it out for the BAMMA-Lonsdale British Middleweight title.

BAMMA 10 will be live televised on 5* in UK, with the highlights to be broadcast on Channel 5. Internationally, BAMMA 10 will available live on HDNet (now known as AXS TV) in the US, The Fight Network in Canada, Esporta in Brazil, Red Media in Russia, Setanta in Africa and TDN in Latin America.

Full BAMMA 10 Fight Card as follows:

MAIN CARD

World Lightweight Championship
Rob Sinclair (11-2) vs. Andre Winner (14-6)

British Middleweight Championship
Jack Marshman (10-1) vs. Andrew Punshon (11-5)

Curt Warburton (10-3) vs. Lee Wieczorek (11-3)

Ian Entwistle (6-1) vs. Lewis Long (6-1)

Jeremy Petley (7-4) vs. Dyson Roberts (5-2)

PRELIMINARY BOUTS

Leeroy Barnes (10-9) vs. Denniston Sutherland (17-8)

Sam Mensah (3-1) vs. Mike Neun (1-0)

Tom Breese (4-0) vs. Warren Kee (7-1)

Matt Ewin (22-12) vs. Carl Noon (7-2)

Mark Glover (6-1) vs. Tommy Maguire (11-4)

Marc Allen (4-2) vs. Lee Taylor (3-5)

We had an opportunity to interview BAMMA 10 main eventer Rob Sinclair, who shared thoughts about what will be his third lightweight title defense. Nicknamed "C-4", Rob Sinclair is widely considered as one of the best 155lbs talents in Europe. Thirty-two year old heavy-hitter is currently on a four-fight win streak, all KO/TKO finishes. Sinclair will be looking to make a statement against the UFC veteran Andre Winner.

Here's what Rob Sinclair had to say about his scheduled scrap, Andre Winner, and working for British Gas. Feel free to follow Rob "C-4" Sinclair on Twitter @robc4sinclair.

You’re fighting Andre Winner in September. What do you think about him as an opponent in terms of strengths and weaknesses?

I think he's an exceptional athlete and fighter. He's a guy I've followed and I think he's a respectable guy. As far as weaknesses go, I don't see many and regarding strengths...well he's very good at all the aspects of MMA

Most of Andre Winner’s fights go to decisions, while you’re famous for knocking out your opponents. Do you think that Andre Winner might try to make this one a War of Attrition?

I think Dre will stick to his strength which his striking, and why not? He's been very effective with it, but it's MMA and anything can happen once that door closes.

This will be your third BAMMA Lightweight title defence. Do you consider yourself as the best lightweight in the UK, or perhaps in Europe?

Honestly? No, I'm probably performing at about 30% of my potential now. I honestly believe that. If I could make fighting my full time job and give it 100% attention, who knows.

Not to overlook Andre Winner, but hypothetically speaking – how in your opinion you match-up with fighters like Ben Henderson (UFC champion) and Gilbert Melendez (Strikeforce champion)?

Lol. I think us UK fighters have always put UFC fighters on a pedestal. I’m sure they’re great fighters, but so are we. One thing is for sure; if I matched up with these guys I'm not saying I'd win but they would know they’d have been in a fight.

In one of your recent interviews, you’ve mentioned about working full time for British Gas. How do you find any time to train on regular basis? Any word of advice for some of the couch potatoes out there?

Yeh, it's been well documented that I work full time. I have a daughter and home sacrifices and then MMA. It's very difficult. For example, it’s only tonight  that I'm going for my first proper boxing lesson and I’ve been doing this 6-7 years.The thing is though, there's a lot of people in similar situations. I'm not the only one.

According to your record (available online), you’ve never fought abroad. Is there a country you would like to visit as a fighter?

Yes, definitely - the USA, Australia and Sweden.

What can you tell about the British MMA scene? Do you think that fighters like yourself, who like to KO / TKO their opponents, are helping to make this sport more attractive for the casual audience?

The British scenes are progressing. Everyone's improving. We’ve already made the big scene of the  UFC and it's not an old sport here in the UK. To me the MMA scene in the UK is very attractive. We're not great wrestlers and we don’t do it from an early age so laying and praying isn’t in our nature.

Your prediction for the fight with Andre Winner. Submission / KO / Decision?

Yeh, it will be one of them ;)

Thanks, and good luck in your fight! Would you like to mention any sponsors / thank teammates?

Thanks to Predators MMA, Kaobon, Fitness Factory, Full Contact Performance Centre, Bad Boy, Glenn Slater, Smuggling Duds, Mike and Jackie Clarke at the Fight Lounge, and Fightshop.com