Abdullah Saleh is a bantamweight MMA fighter who trains out of KO Next Generation gym in South London. He will be facing Nathaniel Wood at UCMMA 38, which is set to take place at the Troxy in Limehouse, East London, February 1st. We got the chance to catch up with Abdullah ahead of his upcoming bout.

Jay Cee: Hi Abdullah, great to have you on TheMMAReview.co.uk! We are only a few weeks away from your fight with Nathaniel Wood at UCMMA 38, this is probably one of the biggest promotions you have fought for in your MMA career so far, how does it feel to get a chance to impress on a much bigger stage?

Abdullah: It feels great! I was expecting to make my pro debut sometime towards the end of last year, but unfortunately injuries set me back. But I’m feeling really privileged to fight on such a big show, should be a good one.

Jay Cee: Do you know much about your opponent Nathaniel Wood?

Abdullah: I don’t know much about my opponent. I know he fights out of Nova Forca, so he’s a BJJ guy of a good calibre like all those guys are, I’m guessing.

Jay Cee: Tell me how your fight camp has been so far?

Abdullah: It’s been a good fight camp. I’m very fortunate to have all the people I do around me to train with.

Jay Cee: What gym/s are you currently training at?

Abdullah: I’m currently training at KO Next Generation/South, my main and Muay Thai gym, and Fight Zone my new home and BJJ gym.

Jay Cee: I actually got to see you in action at Fight Scene 4 back in October, 2012, where you won via first round submission. How much do you think you have improved since then?

Abdullah: I think I’ve improved quite a bit since then. Very critical about that performance, but it was a good one. Tightened up a few things since.

Jay Cee: Tell me about your most recent MMA fight, who you faced, and how well you feel performed?

Abdullah: My most recent fight was against the tough and durable Luis Gonzalez. I feel I done pretty well considering he was part machine!

Jay Cee: Aside from Mixed Martial Arts, what do you like to do in your spare time? Any hidden talents or hobbies?

Abdullah: Hidden talents? I’m not too sure about that one! But I do enjoy working with young people, particularly those that have or are at risk of offending. It’s more a passion actually.

Jay Cee: What are your goals for 2014?

Abdullah: My goals for 2014 are to continue evolving as a human being as well as a mixed martial artist, and God willing finding plenty of success in both.

Jay Cee: Lastly, how do you predict your fight with Nathaniel Wood will end?

Abdullah: It’ll be a good fight, possibly fight of the night. So be there!

Jay Cee: Ok, great. Thanks for taking some time out to talk with me Abdullah and good luck at UCMMA 38. If there any sponsors or people you would like to shout-out or thank, please go ahead and do that now…

Abdullah: Thank you sir! First and foremost, I’d like to thank God, cause by his grace all of this is possible and for all the blessings I have received in life, whether they’ve been positive or negative experiences. I’d like to thank my sponsors MMA holidays, check them out at www.mmaholidays.co.uk, Kru Sam, Marek and the rest of my family down at KO South, Marco Canha, Maksym, James, Jose and the rest of the guys down at Fight Zone. Chris my Welsh brother and strength and conditioning coach, Chuma my Nigerian brother and boxing training partner, coach Abdul for all the extra work he’s put in with me voluntarily with my wrestling, and everybody that’s continued to support me through the thick and thin. Come down on February 1st guys! UCMMA 38, starting the year with the biggest bang!

Thanks again to Abdullah Saleh for the time, I appreciate it.

Stay close to The MMA Review (themmareview.co.uk) for all the latest MMA news.