UK Scene - Park
UK SCENE: Dean "The Renegade" Amasinger talks about his return to action this Saturday at UCMMA: Unbelievable
Oct 21, 2010 - 1:45:42 PM UK SCENE: Dean "The Renegade" Amasinger talks about his return to action this Saturday at UCMMA: Unbelievable

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

By: Chris Park, MMATorch UK Specialist

This Saturday night The Ultimate Fighter season nine welterweight Dean "The Renegade" Amasinger will make his return to action when he takes on Jermaine Facey at UCMMA: Unbelievable.

Amasinger will be hoping to give Team Rough House a happy ending to what has been an inconsistent October, to say the least. Having watched Jimmy Wallhead win his Bellator debut last week, Amasinger then had to observe Octagon-side as Dan Hardy suffered the first knockout loss of his career last Saturday at UFC 120; it's now down to "The Renegade" to tip the balance back in favour of the UK's No. 1 camp.

Looking ahead to this weekend's main-event at Troxy, Amasinger was full of praise for UCMMA as he finally makes his long-awaited return.

"It's a great show with everything that goes with it, I can really enjoy it," Amasinger told MMATorch. "I feel very excited about it and I'm looking forward to putting on a show and showing how far I've developed since the last fight."

"[The target is] always a first round stoppage! I'm not paid by the minute, I wanna get in there and put him away as quickly as possible and really show people. I'm not gonna give him a second to breathe."

Amasinger has never been one to look past an opponent, and although a win over Facey would likely see him back in line for the title, Amasinger was first to commend his opponents abilities. "He had a great win recently, he's got an underrated ground game, he's done well on the ground with people, very active, doesn't waste opportunities," Amasinger said.

After spending a frustrating five months on the sidelines, Amasinger looked very strong in training; his boxing has significantly improved as he attacked the pads with ferocious power.

"I've always been strong; I used to do power lifting, but now I'm able to apply it. It's no good being strong and not being able to apply it. I've been working with Emerson George on my boxing, my boxing has really stepped up and my punches as well. It's about getting down and sitting down in my punches and I'm able to get my power through, and I hit so hard now, so I'm really looking forward to a great knockout... that would be nice!"

It is unclear at this point who exactly would be next for Amasinger should he get past Facey. Amasinger suffered a bad break in his arm blocking a front kick from Alberto Mina during their title fight earlier this year, and with Mina's future looking uncertain at this moment in time, Amasinger conceded that he may not get a chance at both the title and revenge all in one evening.

"December 4 could be a title shot or it could be me and John McGuire for a vacant title," he said. "Either way [if I win on Saturday] it will be a title fight."

"I've had checkups [on my arm] and the doctors have been really good. They know I'm a professional athlete and they definitely gave me a bit of extra attention which is nice. I was hoping to fight in September, but I was airing on the side of caution.

"My last check up was about six weeks ago and they said 'you're good to go now it's as strong as it's ever gonna be now,' but I knew it was anyway. No matter what they said - I knew it was ok. I've been punching hard and you saw me sparring [hard] today."

PARK'S ANALYSIS: There is no doubt that Amasinger looked way stronger and faster than the last time I saw him in the Rough House gym. With the team he has around him as well as the addition of ground-wizard Victor Estima to the team, my money is on The Renegade for this Saturday night.

UCMMA: Unbelievable is live from Troxy, London this Saturday October 23. For ticket options visit www.ucmma.com and join me next week for my ring side report of what promises to be a fantastic event.

====

Chris Park is the MMATorch UK Specialist and guest columnist at ESPN.co.uk. Please email any comments or questions to Chris at; mmatorchuk@gmail.com or look us up at http://www.facebook.com/mmatorchuk2 our new MMATorch Facebook home for UK Fans!