Paul Redmond has exclusively revealed to Newstalk.com that he has signed a contract extension with BAMMA, which will see him fight under the promotion’s banner for up to three fights over the next ten months.
The Team Ryano man is set for action at BAMMA 30 on July 7 at Dublin’s 3 Arena, but his opponent has yet to be confirmed.
Although Redmond would be considered one of the most established hometown draws available to the promotion, it is still unknown whether the Dubliner will headline the card.
‘Redser’ openly spoke about wanting to explore his options as his previous BAMMA contract approached its expiration date in an article that featured recently on Newstalk.com.
Paul Redmond in action against Chris Stringer. Image: ©INPHO/Gary Carr
Yet, after BAMMA improved the terms of his contract offer, he was happy to sign on the dotted line for them.
“BAMMA knows how much I put into these fights,” explained Redmond. “I’m coming off the Norman loss, a fight I thought I should’ve won. I think I’ve shown what I’m worth and BAMMA has improved my terms to a number that we both feel I deserve.
“People know that I leave everything in the cage once I get in there. I come out in the third round looking to finish the fight whether I feel I’m ahead or behind on the judges’ scorecards. BAMMA obviously appreciate that, so I’m glad to have re-signed for them.”
Redmond added: “I’m very happy with where I’m at now. I’m really looking forward to fighting in the 3 Arena again.”
Redmond seems to be the perfect man to top the bill at the 3 Arena, but the humble submission specialist doesn’t care where his fight appears on the card.
“BAMMA haven’t said where they’re going to put me on the card. Personally, I’d expect to be one of the top three fights on the card. Don’t get me wrong, it would be nice to headline the Dublin card, but my placement on a fight card has never really bothered me.
“You know me, I’d rather be the first fight of the night so I can get it out of the way and watch the other fights.”
Redmond lost a close decision to Norman Parke back in February, which he contested for the BAMMA lightweight title. Parke would’ve claimed the 155 lbs belt at the SSE Arena had he not come in over the weight limit for the headline clash.
Despite going into BAMMA’s upcoming Dublin card on the back of a loss, Redmond believes he is just one victory away from fighting for the lightweight belt.
“Even though I lost the last fight, I think a lot of people still had me winning it, so I don’t feel like I never left the title conversation,” he said. “I think I’m right up there with the best of them.
Norman Parke in action against Paul Redmond. Image: ©INPHO/Presseye/Matt Mackey
“I doubt that I’ll be put into a title fight straight away because, no matter what way I feel about the result, I did lose my last fight.
“For me, if I win this next fight I could be looking at another crack at the belt.”
Parke is set for one of the biggest fights outside of the UFC when he takes on unbeaten KSW lightweight champion, Mateusz Gamrot, on May 27.
The fight will take place at a 60,000-seat venue in Poland. With the promotion reporting that the event has already sold over 47,000 tickets, the event is forecast to break the UFC’s European attendance record, which stands at 30,000 since the promotion’s Stockholm event in January 2015.
Parke still has one fight left on his BAMMA contract. Until he has contested the last bout on the contract, he cannot fight for any other promotion within the UK or Ireland.
Initially, Redmond campaigned for an immediate rematch with the Bushmills man but conceded that he wouldn’t “kick up a fuss” if a second bout never came to fruition.
“I would’ve liked a rematch straight after the last fight. Norman is fighting for the title with KSW, he’s doing what’s best for him, I can’t argue with that.
“The thing is, on paper, Norman was the better man that night. It doesn’t really matter how I feel about it. If the rematch comes, that would be great. If it doesn’t I won’t kick up a fuss about it.”
Paul Redmond celebrates winning in 2014. Image: ©INPHO/Gary Carr
Redmond has been reinvigorated by the loss to Parke and admitted that he is itching to perform in front of his home crowd on July 7.
“I really can’t wait for the Dublin show. I’ve been back in the gym since the Monday after I fought Norman.
“I’ve done two sessions a day, I’ve taken no time off, I haven’t put on any weight and I’m still the leanest I’ve been in my whole career. I’m good to go right now.
“This is a completely new mentality for me. That last fight was very frustrating. It’s made me even hungrier if anything. I know where my level is at and I think I should be carrying that belt around right now.”
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