Unified MMA keeps delivering another incredible lineup to fans.
The promotion returns to the River Cree Resort & Casino this Friday for Unified MMA 45, headlined by rising star Robert Hale (11-5) stepping into unfamiliar ground against Edmonton icon Ryan Ford (23-5) as they battle for the vacant super welterweight championship.
Hale, 29, competing out of Atlanta, Ga., acknowledged Ford's impressive career but stressed that his own youth could tip the scales.
Brimming with self-assurance, Hale intends to show he stands apart from anyone Ford has faced before.
"He's a legend and they respect him up in Canada for a reason," Hale told MMA Empire during a recent interview.
"He's had a lot of fights and he's fought all over the world, but I'm just a different breed of fighter, a different breed of person. A whole different era of fighter that he hasn't met before. He can say what he wants, that he's seen it all, but he hasn't been in the cage with me."
Rather than obsessing over strategy, Hale prefers to concentrate on what he can control on fight night.
"I focus on myself, I'm the better man. Of course, Ryan has some tricks, but I do too. He might have the old tricks, but I have the new tricks," Hale shared.
"I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to fight my fight and play my game. Ryan can fight his fight, he can have the bully style and be as aggressive as he wants. At the end of the day you're going to see the best King Hale on the 27th. I'll just continue doing what I do, looking good, making it look easy and staying pretty after the fight."
Over the years, Hale has cultivated a reputation as an exciting, fan-loving competitor—and he believes he still has room to grow.
This Friday marks his first trip to Canada, where he'll test himself against one of the nation's elite fighters.
"Ain't no light shining brighter than King Hale. Coming into enemy territory is what I do, I thrive in these situations," Hale declared.
"It doesn't matter to me. If the UFC calls or if I defend the title, I'll do whatever I have to do. Any cage time is great time. Whether I get him out of there early or it goes all five, it's going to be entertaining regardless."
Hale enters the card riding momentum after securing consecutive wins in his last two appearances.
After spending much of his career at 155 pounds, Hale delivered commanding performances in both bouts and now aims to cement his standing among the division's elite.
"In those fights I learned that I can definitely compete at 170," Hale reflected.
"I can move better than most of the guys at welterweight, even in the UFC. I've improved a lot mentally, coming forward more, adding pressure and not letting my opponent off the hook. I'm only getting better as time goes on and it's only up from here."
Skipping the grueling weight cut adds another advantage heading into Saturday.
With the next bout taking center stage, Hale plans to stay locked in and keep demonstrating his upward trajectory inside the octagon.
"155 was a major cut for me. I stopped doing that because it was damaging my body," Hale revealed.
"170 has felt great and 175 is even better. Over the years I've just become more mature as an athlete. I've learned how to train safer and smarter but harder at the same time. Every fight is pushing me to a higher standard. Every fight is a big one, and I treat it accordingly."
Hale's shoutouts
"Coaches, training partners, my manager and all my sponsors. Shoutout to my family and everyone who supports me." Follow Hale on social media: TWITTER, INSTAGRAM