Alfie Davis displays on one struggle specifically when he factors out one of the troublesome moments of his profession.
Preventing Alexander Shabliy in 2021, the Londoner admits he was “outclassed” because the Russian cruised to a unanimous resolution win.
The 33-year-old says that whereas his preparations for the bout have been hampered by a bacterial an infection in his foot, the primary cause for his defeat was psychological.
“I simply did not pull the set off and I feel I choked underneath the strain that he’s this massive star I felt I should not have been in there with,” Davis tells BBC Sport.
When an individual doubts their skill and achievements it’s generally described as impostor syndrome – a psychological expertise the place somebody fears being uncovered as not competent at their career.
Confidence and bravado play such necessary elements in lots of fighters’ mindsets that it’s unusual for them to voice doubts about their standing within the sport.
Davis says all through his profession he has carried out to his thrilling potential within the fitness center, however has generally struggled to duplicate it throughout fights.
This 12 months nonetheless, issues have modified. His profession has reached new heights.
Having received two fights in 2025, Davis faces Russia’s Gadzhi Rabadanov within the PFL light-weight match ultimate in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday – with the winner securing a $500,000 (£372,000) pay day.
Davis places his change in fortunes down to 2 components. The primary is a swap of fitness center and coaches, which he says have allowed him to “specific myself a bit extra”.
The second is altering the way in which he thinks about competing. Davis seems calm and assured as he envisions the struggle with 32-year-old Rabadanov.
“I feel I used to place an excessive amount of strain on myself, however once I simply go in there and waft, not concentrating on the outcome an excessive amount of, I get into my stream state. Earlier than, I used to be overthinking,” he provides.
“I really feel this man I am combating now, if he was within the fitness center, I might make simple work of him – I’ve simply received to show that underneath the massive lights.”
