Nothing quite compares to the thrill of a title rematch.
Squamish's Gwyn Berry (6-2) steps into the octagon once more against Oliver's Dakota Angel (3-1) for the empty BFL amateur featherweight title at BFL 63 on Saturday evening in Coquitlam, B.C., looking to secure his second consecutive victory.
Although Berry emerged victorious in their opening encounter at BFL 61, the 25-year-old wasn't satisfied with his own showing and sees this opportunity to demonstrate his superiority in emphatic fashion.
"I simply wanted to convey to him that he put together a solid performance while mine was subpar, yet I still came out on top," Berry explained during an interview.
"I genuinely want to demonstrate that we're competing at entirely different tiers—I operate on a higher level."
Berry carries considerable championship experience, having captured the AMA amateur lightweight crown earlier this year at AMA 33 as well as the BFL amateur welterweight belt in 2017.
His initial attempt at BFL amateur featherweight gold occurred at BFL 57, where he fell to Marlan Hall via unanimous decision.
However, Berry described securing the BFL amateur featherweight championship as a lifelong ambition—one that would carry additional significance.
"When I first stepped into the world of MMA, I wrote 'featherweight belt' on my wall. That was my very first objective—to claim the featherweight championship," Berry recalled.
"In many ways, this represents the belt I originally set out to win, so it holds tremendous meaning for me."
Based mainly at The Sound Martial Arts with supplementary sessions at Checkmat Vancouver, Berry benefits from training alongside some of British Columbia's finest, including UFC veterans Tristan Connelly and Cole Smith.
Connelly electrified audiences during his UFC debut last weekend at UFC Vancouver, climbing up a weight division on just five days' notice to defeat the heavily favored prospect Michel Pereira.
With both Smith and Connelly's recent UFC performances fresh in his memory, Berry admitted he's never felt more driven to return to competition.
"Tristan has been a key training partner for me recently; I've finally reached the stage where I can spar with him, so witnessing his success truly expanded my perspective," Berry shared.
"It's ignited an even deeper drive within me."
Angel Stays Uplifting After Defeat
In their initial matchup, 26-year-old Angel fell on the losing end of a razor-thin split decision, marking the first loss of his professional career.
While he acknowledged there were a few strategic adjustments he could have implemented, Angel emphasized his greatest lesson from the bout was handling the defeat with grace.
"I anticipated feeling pretty crushed after my first loss, but surprisingly I didn't feel too terrible afterward," Angel reflected during an interview.
"In truth, I was just amazed I wasn't completely devastated. Getting this rematch opportunity reminds me to stay positive, keep pushing forward, and understand that great things can still unfold."
During their first encounter, Angel found success controlling Berry in the clinch, grinding him against the cage and displaying noticeably superior conditioning.
Looking back, Angel believes he executed a strong performance overall, but several subtle factors ultimately tipped the decision in Berry's favor.
"It really was a 'what if, could have, should have' type of bout. It was incredibly tight, and just a handful of small details ended up deciding the outcome," Angel remarked.
"One thing that really stuck with me was Berry mentioning that if we'd gone another round, he likely wouldn't have survived, while I felt like I was starting to find my rhythm in the third."
Like Berry, Angel is thrilled about the quick turnaround rematch, and not merely for the shot at his inaugural championship.
Having lost such a narrow contest and earned the chance at redemption almost immediately, Angel feels compelled to prove himself once more.
"It's thrilling; I've always fantasized about facing someone I've already squared off against," Angel noted.
"I figure if I walk away victorious this time, I'll hold a 2-0 record against him. Redemption is absolutely fantastic—especially when there's a championship belt hanging in the balance."
Berry's Acknowledgments
"I'd like to give special recognition to The Sound Martial Arts, my coaching staff (Kasey Smith, Cole Smith), my sponsor Mountain Fitness Centre, and Checkmat Vancouver." Connect with Berry online: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM
Angel's Acknowledgments
"I want to express my gratitude to my family, my girlfriend Jessica, my two children Hero and Silver, coach Andrew Thistle, my training partner and coach Marlan Hall, everyone at Pacific Top Team: Pentiction, and Jacob Gardhouse from Pacific Top Team: Oliver." Connect with Angel online: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM
