LOGAN STORELY is aware that he will be entering the lion's Den when Bellator gold challenges in London this weekend - but for the American, competing in front a hostile crowd is not a new experience.
Sanford MMA's standout has been drafted to take on Michael Page, London's interim welterweight champion, on Friday night.
Logan Storely and Michael Page will be fighting for the interim Bellator 170lb title
Storely will be greeted by a large crowd at the intimate SSE Wembley Arena, who will root for his demise as he walks out of the cage.
However, his university experience in wrestling has prepared him for the biggest fight of all.
SunSport reported that he knew there would be 50 people among the 13,000 who don't boo me. But I have wrestled in this [environment] before.
"I have fought in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, with 15,000 Hawkeye fans that hate Minnesota. Penn State, all these venues, I've done it before in college ranks.
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"15,000 to 20,000 viewers on ESPN and a lot people want you to lose. We're used the boos, the refs, and we're used sometimes to it not going our direction.
Storely knows all too well the pressures of fighting back in his hometown. He recalls: "I have fought at home Sioux Falls twice or three times.
"It's great to have people around you, but it's also a lot more stressful.
"He's going have all his family, friends and people that he has known for a long time there. That is not all.
SUN BINGO GET PS50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYStorely was selected to replace Yaroslav Amonov, the undisputed champion at welterweight, who bravely fought in Ukraine's ongoing war against Russia.
Amosov relegated Storely to the bottom of the unbeaten list in November 2020. But the American isn’t planning on taking revenge on Storely anytime soon.
He stated that Ukraine is going through something completely different. We don't know when he will be back.
"Each day, they're trying protect their contract and make certain they're still alive.
"They have a different battle right now, and I don’t know what’s going to happen or how it will end.
"I don’t believe that the war will be over in six months or two months. Right now, I wish him all the best and hope that they all stay safe.
"I don't understand what he goes through on a daily basis. My main focus right now is to fight MVP.
"I'll go there and take care of that. Then we'll see where the rest of the world is after this fight and what Amosov thinks.
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"Is it going to be him back or is there a complete mess?
Storely must beat Page at home before he can even think of vengeance for his only defeat.
He isn't even aware of the enormity of the task at hand.
He stated, "I know how gifted he is. He operates at a speed and distance that is very difficult for many people.
"I have to ensure that I am light on my feet, firing on all cylinders, using my eyes and reading the distance correctly.
"I have seen a lot of his fights, and I know that there is a range you shouldn't play in the same way Derek Anderson did. That's ridiculous. MVP is trying to wrestle me. He's not going.
"I respect him very deeply, but I know exactly what I need to do to win and that he knows exactly what he needs to do to win."
May is the traditional start of English summer. Storely however plans to bring a Storm to northwest London this weekend.
He stated that he didn't realize how fast he is when it comes down to making fakes and getting shots.
"I don't feel his speed, but I can see that it is fast. He doesn't realize how fast I can fake it and get from point A to point B.
"I think his athleticism and my ability to run close will amaze him. Therefore, I must get him tired and close the distance.
MVP's distance is too far for you. There is no place to be sloppy.
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"And the men that have and have started showingboating, they've seen what it's done to them.
You can't play his games. People become frustrated when they can't touch him, so they put their hands down to try to get him in. That's when he starts to crack people.
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