Not all fighters can put on a brave face and talk to the press after a devastating loss, but not all fighters are half the man that British middleweight Luke Barnatt is.

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Having been blitzed by Polish middleweight king Mamed Khalidov in just 21-seconds in the main event of ACB 54 last evening, Barnatt put on a suit and braved up to the media in the back who didn’t hesitate to ask all the hard questions.

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk after the fight, Barnatt talked about the emotions he was feeling having been finished for the first time in his career.




‘The biggest thing that hurts is, I know Mamed is a high-level athlete, but I was in amazing shape for this fight, I couldn’t complain about anything,’ Barnatt said.

‘I had the most amazing fight, the best weight cut I’ve ever had and everything just really felt like it was coming together.

‘And then, it was just that—21-seconds and it’s over.

Incredible by Mamed Khalidov! Wasted no time to claim victory in the main event of #ACB54! https://t.co/NsdDUUkp6c — ACB fighting league (@acb_league) March 11, 2017

‘I’m gutted I didn’t get to show the world what I’ve been working on for the last three month and I truly committed everything in my life to building up to this fight.

‘Even when I was in the back before the back I felt unstoppable so to only have 21-seconds to show it just stings you know.’

Despite the loss, Barnatt said this wouldn’t be the last we see of him and that he hoped to return to the cage sooner rather than later.

‘I’m going to be fighting again as soon as I can get myself in the cage,’ Barnatt said.

‘I think I’ll get 30 days because of my nose, it’s broken, but apart from that I’m good and just keen to get back in there.’

In the few seconds after the fight, Barnatt looked to be disgruntled with referee Herb Dean for calling an end to the fight despite him being in serious trouble.

Having had a few moments to reflect on the fight now, Barnatt spoke with honesty and said that he didn’t remember anything after Khalidov’s big right hand that led to the stoppage.

‘I haven’t seen it back yet, but I don’t remember not being happy about it,’ Barnatt said honestly.

A vicious fight. I worked so hard. Didn't get to show it but I'll be back stronger than ever. Thank you for all the ❤️ congrats to the champ pic.twitter.com/EXZhkG1FJu — Bigslow ???? (@LukeBarnatt) March 12, 2017

‘I think it was just a natural reaction you know—I’m a fighter.

‘I was out, I don’t remember it so it was a great stoppage by Herb Dean, I respect him and he’s a fantastic referee.

‘I remember the shot landing, but I’ve been told after that I took a few more and it’s really just all a blur.

‘I’ve never been finished before apart from on The Ultimate Fighter, I’ve been in wars, I’ve got a f*cking chin, but this one he just caught me on the sweet spot really early on.’

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The Englishman then talked about his strategy heading into the bout and said that he’d been looking to take Khalidov into the second round and really put the pressure on the Polish fighter there.



‘We knew he was always going to be dangerous in the first couple of minutes,’ Barnatt said.

‘I just wanted to get him into the second round, that’s all I wanted the second round you know.

‘I just wanted a round to settle myself in and really get into the fight, but I didn’t get that and that’s something I’ve got to live with.’

Barnatt then talked about his immediate plans for the coming weeks and said that he’d be at UFC London next week to support his friend, Arnold Allen.

After that, it was going to be back to business.

‘I was hoping to turn up at UFC London next week victorious and celebrate with Arnold Allen when he wins, but hey, that won’t be the case now.

‘I’ll get back at it, start training when I head back to Spain on the 19th and look for something May and June when I’m medically cleared.

‘I’m going to come back better for having been through this loss–it’s the only way you can look at a loss like this.’

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