Injuries initially sidelined him before COVID delayed his comeback even further, with Basra biding his time until the right opportunity and opponent presented itself. Now ready to make his comeback and take on Hammo for the title, the champion is preparing for him to be just as dangerous and talented as he was before his break, if not more, when they hit the cage together. during Friday’s main event.
“In my head, it’s still the same man,” Hammo said of Basra. “He’s vicious, he’s good, and it’s a really, really good test for me to see where I’m at in my fighting career. It’s a real test to see what I can do, and I know he’s a dangerous man no matter how long (he’s been away).
“He’s going to come strong, but I’m going to be stronger and finish this fight.”
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Along with seeing this as an opportunity to defend his title, test himself against an undefeated foe, and put himself on the radar for a potential call-up to the UFC should the sport’s premier organization make a return trip to the Far North. white in the first half of 2023, Hammo views every chance he gets to compete as an opportunity to give back to the community.
“I want to start doing stuff for the younger generations, get them out of trouble,” Hammo began. “There are a lot of troubled young people these days who don’t have opportunities, and I want to create something for all those kids who have nowhere to go.”
And the featherweight titleholder speaks from experience.
His introduction to mixed martial arts came as a troubled youth heading down a dead end path. CMAC founder and Canadian MMA staple Lee Mein took him under his wing, gave him an outlet and a passion, and Hammo has been diligently pursuing his craft (and staying out of trouble) ever since.
“If it hadn’t been for Lee and what he did for me, I would still be on the street doing what I did,” he said. “I would be in jail or do something stupid. I am very grateful to have met Lee; it basically spawned me to where I am now.
Not only does Hammo want to devote time and energy to the youth of the region, but he also has challenges closer to home that he wants to tackle after this fight.
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“Honestly, right now I want to win this fight and then I want to focus on getting my family over from Iraq,” Hammo explained. “They have a lot of issues with the ongoing war so I want to focus and concentrate on getting my family here before continuing to look for other opponents after that.”
But first he has to cross Basra, and although he’s preparing for him to be just as dangerous as he was before his long stint on the sidelines, Hammo is confident he’ll raise his hand on Friday. , even if things don’t work out. it doesn’t go as perfectly as he would like inside the cage.
“You’ve seen Jorge Masvidal and Ben Askren, haven’t you? he asked, laughing when pushed for a best-case scenario prediction of how this fight plays out. “I imagine that in my head. Get in, get out – bing, bang, boom!
“But seriously, my hand will be up at the end. Whether it’s a finish or a decision, my hand will be up.
