Rocky 5 is an absolute classic, adored by fight fans around the world, including Matty Byfield, who will use the cinematic masterpiece to get himself in the mood for his Cage Warriors title bout.
On Saturday, March 16, the Birmingham brawler will go toe-to-toe with Andy Clamp at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester, with Europe's most prestigious title in the line.
However, the day before he sets foot in the cage, he'll settle down on the sofa, stick his copy of Rocky 5 in the DVD player and take inspiration from Balboa's epic battle with Tommy Gunn.
In an exclusive interview with MMA TV, Byfield revealed: “Before every fight, I watch Rocky 5. I used to watch it as a kid with my dad, and it's always stuck with me. It gets me in the right mindset. Every night before a fight I watch that."
However, while Rocky is undeniably one of the 31-year-old's heroes, that wouldn't stop him from releasing his fury on the American if the pair were ever to cross paths.
Byfield laughed: “I'd put him away in the fourth, I'd probably ruin the franchise.“
When the esteemed martial artist walks out under the lights on Saturday evening for his eagerly-anticipated clash with Andy Clamp, he'll channel Rocky's heart and spirit in his bid to win the championship belt and take it home to the Renegade Gym in Birmingham.
Training alongside UFC champion, Leon Edwards, and Oktagon superstar, Akonne Wanliss, Byfield is learning from the very best in the business, giving him all the advice necessary to put on the performance of a lifetime.
However, the road to his shot at the big time certainly wasn't easy. After going through incidents in his younger years, Byfield's father suggested he try kickboxing. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The natural-born fighter now has the chance to carve his legacy in stone by winning the title held by so many icons of the sport. Thus, it goes without saying, that this is an opportunity he will not let slip him by.
Byfield explained: “I've seen people like Conor McGregor win that belt, and he still puts it on Instagram now. Dan Hardy comes down to our gym and he won the Cage Warriors strap. There are so many legends that have gone on to win that belt. So many guys have ended up in the UFC, and I want to do that as well. It's a big thing.
Clamp is the home crowd favourite, but the team at Renegade is amazing. On the mats, I've been punched, kicked, kneed and elbowed by the best guys on the planet. So, I'm raring to go next Saturday.“
You can watch Cage Warriors 168 live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
