WINNIPEG – Manitoba mixed martial artist Roland Delorme is counting down the days until he boards a plane for England for his next fight in the octagon.
The 30-year-old Winnipegger will put his 9-2 record on the line against 8-2 Davey “Dangerous” Grant of Manchester, England, in UFC Fight Night 37 March 8 at London’s O2 Arena.
“I would love to go out there and just three punch him,” said Delorme. “Knock him out, walk out, collect my check and just walk away. But it never happens like that.”
Delorme has a pretty good idea what to expect after his training partner, Louis Fisette, fought Grant on The Ultimate Fighter television show last year.
“He’s a big, strong guy,” said Delorme. “He likes to go out and knock people out. He’s got good hands, good ground and pound. You know, I’ve got to be careful, but I mean, everyone’s dangerous.”
Making Grant even more threatening is the fact he’s fighting in his own backyard.
“I love walking out, having people boo me,” said Delorme. “Throw stuff at me, telling me I’m going to get killed — that just fuels my fire.”
Delorme will be trying to bounce back from a split-decision loss to Alex Caceres at UFC 165 last September in Toronto.
“If (Grant) watched that fight and thinks that’s how I fight and that’s how I am, he’s sadly mistaken,” said Delorme.
Delorme fights out of the Winnipeg Academy of Mixed Martial Arts. His trainer, Curtis Brigham, said Delorme is well-prepared for the upcoming bout.
“Knock on wood, this is the best camp we’ve had in ages,” said Brigham. “He hasn’t been hurt or cut. He’s had some bad luck for previous camps and this one has been smooth so far.”
Delorme still has three more fights left on his nine-fight contract with the UFC but is always at risk of being cut if he doesn’t perform.
“You lose two or three in a row and you’re in serious danger of losing your job,” said Delorme.
A scrap between Alexander Gustafsson and Jimi Manuwa will headline UFC Fight Night 37.
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