George Staines dominated the Octagon Challenge, wants to be lightweight champion: my life has changed, I want to earn the title gradually

George Staines is probably the biggest favourite of Czechoslovak fans among the new fighters of the Octagon. Apart from winning the Anglo-Irish Octagon Challenge, he also showed good character, good manners and proved to be a huge likeable guy. He now has another fight with Tomas Cigánik. What has changed since he became King of the Challenge and what are his goals? He talked about more than just that in an interview with Ruik.

The King of the Octagon Challenge admitted that his life has changed

“It’s been six months since I won the Octagon Challenge. I like to remember it. It was a great experience. I like to remember being able to fight relatively close to home, in front of so many people and in such an atmosphere. It still makes me feel happy, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Itwas a lot of fun,” expressed George Staines at the start of his interview with Ruik.

“Life has changed quite a bit since then. I’ve gained a following, a lot of articles have come out about me and overall there’s a lot of attention on me. I don’t let it get me down, but I’m not a big fan of Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and things like that. I like my privacy,” admits the 23-year-old English MMA talent.

“I recently moved from Hull to Liverpool. I notice that it’s in Hull that I get more attention. It’s nice. A few people have got to know me over the last few weeks. It’s made an impression on me because MMA is a minority sport. But nobody treats me any differently. I don’t want to be treated special. I’ve only won one professional fight, I still have a long way to go,” added the Star Wars fan.

The Hull native has won a £25,000 contract with the organisation thanks to the Octagon Challenge, but the money is split over multiple fights. What he got for the first one he immediately put into savings. Other than that, he bought a lego, but he doesn’t spend too much. He says the things he likes are expensive, so he only indulges occasionally.

George Staines wants to be a champion

As far as his mindset, attitude and mind-set are concerned, George Staines himself hasn’t changed. He’s still humble, still focused on his goal, but that doesn’t mean he’s not confident. After all, he admits that his confidence somehow didn’t pick up after his win over rival Denis Frimpong.

“I knew how the fight would turn out, that I would be this dominant and show this level. I want to be a world champion. I came into the Octagon thinking I was going to be a lightweight champion. Those are still my goals that I’m going for,” Star Boy, as he’s nicknamed, made himself heard.

Frimpong tried to get the English hopeful’s head in the Octagon Challenge. He insulted not only the young fighter, but his family as well. But they’ve obviously put that behind them. “We have a good relationship, he sends me some Star Wars jokes, we get on well. He was trying to get in my head, but somebody just needs to do it and they need to use it. Mental warfare is just as important as the fight itself,” admits the King of the Octagon Challenge.

While Frimpong has been the main villain of the entire series, George Staines, on the other hand, has been a big favorite of those watching. According to various reactions, he also won the sympathy of the Czechoslovak audience.

“I’m glad I presented myself so well. And that Denis, Shem Rock or Akonne Wanliss have different behaviour? That’s simply how they sell themselves. It’s a business, a promotion. If it works for them, it’s good. They draw attention to themselves, any attention is good,” he says.

He trains with the stars, he wants to win the title with his performances

As George Staines mentioned, he moved from Hull to Liverpool, where he has much better conditions to train. After all, he trains in the famous Next Generation Gym, where he has great partners, such as UFC stars Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann. Besides that, he also trains with Shem Rock, Jake McHugh and Matthew Bonner, three fighters from the Octagon, while Bonner was a former Cage Warriors champion.

“The preparation has been excellent. All of the aforementioned are excellent fighters. It’s great to be able to train with such people because it will take me a little further in my career,” reports the ambitious youngster.

Although he trains with such capacities, he is in no hurry to go anywhere. And that a new era awaits him after the Octagon Challenge? He doesn’t see it that way. Maybe not so soon, but I expected it, it’s not such a surprise.”

“I feel confident. I’m the Octagon Challenge champion, but I’m focused on being the lightweight champion. But I don’t want to push the envelope. You shouldn’t rush to the top right away, but fight people at your level, maybe a little higher, but go up gradually. Nobody should be at the top because of his fame. I want to fight my way to the top, earn it,” he added.

What does George Staines expect from the fight with Gypsy?

George Staines will take on Tomas Cigánik in Birmingham on Saturday. He will go into the fight against the Slovakian prospect as a big favourite. After all, that’s how Denis Frimpong, the aforementioned wrestler whom the Englishman took on in the final of the Octagon Challenge, sees it. He thinks that George will sweep the Slovak.

“I think it could be, but we’ll see. Tomas is erratic and a good opponent, ferocious in a good way. It’s aproblem I have to solve, I’ll be ready for him,” the Octagon Challenge champion welcomes Frimpong’s prediction.

Interestingly, it is by fighting Gypsy that Star Boy confirms his previous words. “He was the first opponent that Oktagon offered me. I said whoever they give me, it doesn’t matter who I fight. I’ll take anybody.”

“According to the odds I’m quite a big favourite, it will be my second fight in front of an English crowd. But I don’t feel the pressure. I know my skills, I know how hard I’ve worked. In my mind I’m always the favourite, I know what I’ve sacrificed for this,” said the English hopeful.

Star Boy’s plan is clear: “I’ll just sweep him, put a lot of pressure on him, which I’m already known for. However, every fight is different. It doesn’t matter what round it ends up in. I’ve been training for five rounds, so I’m ready for anything.”

So Tomas Cigánik obviously has a lot to look forward to. George Staines is aiming high and the Octagon is aware of that. The duel will take place at the OKTAGON 56 gala.

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