One highlight-reel knockout later, Bilal Hasan gets exactly what he asked for at CFFC 132
The surging flyweight prospect looks to show everybody that he is too much for Shamel Findley.
Following his incredible spinning back kick knockout of Jacob Romano in February, Bilal Hasan said he wanted to fight one man, and one man only: Shamel Findley (6-2-1).
At Friday's CFFC 132, Hasan (3-0) gets that chance when he takes on Findley (6-2-1) in a key matchup that streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena.
Hasan says there was logic in the callout. The electric prospect is currently undefeated as a professional and has soared to the top of CFFC's flyweight division. "The Spider Karate Kid" has only been competing in MMA for three years now, and at just 22 years old, Hasan believes it is important for him to be challenged right from the start.
"The biggest thing right now in my professional career is that I want as much experience as possible," Hasan said. "I want to be fighting the toughest guys.
"My end goal is to be the UFC champion. The flyweight division, there are a bunch of killers in this division. I'm confident in my skillset. I know as a realist that I've got to take my time and rack up the experience. Shamel is the next step. This will definitely show the world what I am capable of."
Hasan currently trains in Washington at Charlie's Combat Club. Additionally, there's no shortage of good coaches and training partners in the area, as he's also spent time training with all-time great Demetrious Johnson at AMC Pankration. One longtime teammate that has been a huge help to Hasan's career is current CFFC Vice President, former CFFC champ, and UFC veteran Miranda "Danger" Granger.
"I'm so grateful to have her," Hasan said. "She's been helping me make the right decisions – kind of laying out this path for me. Without her, I wouldn't be in this position where I'm at. So grateful for her."
Though he is respectful to all contenders in the flyweight division, that's not to say Hasan is not confident in the outcome of his CFFC 132 matchup. Hasan knows he's certainly going to get a tough test against Findley, but he feels that "Badman" does not possess the ability to stop his fast rise. "The Spider Karate Kid" believes that we are in for yet another highlight-reel finish come Friday night.
"I'll give you a sneak peak into what I think this fight is going to look like: I think I'm just going to overwhelm him," Hasan said. "I'm going to be too much for him. I'm going to be too fast, have too many tools.
"I think I'm going to turn him into a little bit of a wrestler here. I think I'm going to piece him up on the feet. I'm going to force him to wrestle. I'm confident wherever this fight goes."
With all that's riding on this fight – including his undefeated record, not to mention a bit of building tension with his opponent – Hasan knows that a big win in a stacked division could very likely see him competing for a CFFC title next. Ultimately, a UFC call is the prize, but Hasan wants to continue building his experience level in the meantime, and on Friday night, he can take another massive step forward in that direction.
