Pity poor Noah Gugnon if Mark Ewen is anywhere near as amped for their mixed martial arts lightweight contest this afternoon as he was speaking about it just two days before.
This is a seismic moment in the young Scot’s career, his debut for Bellator, after penning a multi-fight deal with the promotional giants earlier in the year, inside Dublin’s cavernous 3Arena and streamed live on the BBC.
Ewen (4-0) is no novice in this game having become a regular face at the famed Higher Level gym in Bathgate some time ago but, just two years after turning professional, it is little surprise that he has labelled this appearance on the bill at Bellator 299 as his “coming out party”.
Fame can be a capricious beast to deal with for those new to it and the 24 year-old is gradually getting his head around getting recognised more often, with the announcement of his Bellator contract and then his debut fight attracting a glut of attention. Should his career continue in this trajectory, it is something he is going to have to get used to.
“The support I’ve had has been crazy,” he admits. “Everyone’s been asking about my debut and where they can see it so it’s amazing it’s on BBC for those who haven’t been able to make it over to Dublin.
“When I was in the airport someone asked me if I was heading over to fight. And I was trying to work out who it was and it turned out to be just a fan. And that was nuts.
“I then went to get a coffee and again the guy serving me asked about the fight which I wasn’t expecting. He gave me the coffee for free which was really good of him. I could get used to that.”
Bellator have been hosting MMA events all around the world since 2009 – including in Belfast, Birmingham and Newcastle - but have yet to take a show to Scotland. Should everything go well on his debut, Ewen thinks that’s something his new bosses need to remedy as soon as possible.
“I spoke to the matchmaker the other day at breakfast but it was just a brief chat but I’m going to try to make that happen,” he adds. “Bellator have been to Dublin, London, Newcastle and Birmingham but they need to come to Scotland. Let’s take over the Hydro! It would be amazing.
“Scottish MMA is booming and there’s lots of good guys, strong competitors, so we could easily sell out the Hydro. It’s one of my dreams.
“I’ve got a photo of myself outside the Hydro and I remember thinking, ‘one day I’m going to sell this place out’. It’s my home and everyone wants to fight in front of their own people. So I’m going to make it happen.”
Motivation has never been in short supply for Ewen but the birth of daughter, Rue, four months ago has infused him with an extra bolt of inspiration. He will be like a man possessed when he makes the walk to the cage to take on Gugnon.
“It’s amazing becoming a dad, my life has completely changed,” he adds. “When you have a baby it’s crazy how much your love grows for them. I’ve got this new fire that’s been lit inside of me and it’s given me even more drive than before.
“I was really hands-on at the start although it got trickier when I was in the camp for this fight. But I always make sure that when I am home that’s family time and me being a dad and a partner. A couple of weeks ago my missus, Holly, took Rue over to visit her family in California and I was lost without them! And it was only a week.
“Everything is just falling into place for me. I feel this is my time. I’ve had a long, hard camp and now I can’t wait to get out there for my debut and show everyone what I can do. This is everything that I’ve ever wanted since I started. This is my coming out party and I just have to make the most of it.”
Fans can tune into Bellator 299: Eblen vs Edwards live from the 3Arena, Dublin, on BBC iPlayer with the prelims getting underway at 4pm and the main card from 9pm
