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Rei Bourke - Island Lightweight Tournament Winner


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Rei Bourke

17-1

16 via KO

Island 155 lbs Tournament Winner

Former Beach Fights Featherweight Champion (Defended 5 times)

 

Hey there this is Jerry Lynch and we have a special guest tonight for a segment of Lynch On Sports! It's none other that the current #1 Island fighter and winner of the lightweight tournament.

 

Q: How and why did you join MMA?

A: It really was a great experience. At first I was only doing it for the money. I was a regular worker at a warehouse, carrying loads of boxes everyday until a manager approached me and wanted to recruit me to join MMA. He said an island tournament was coming up and I thought the pay was good so I went and joined rather than working hours at the warehouse. Things got better and trainers were seeing potential in me. Here I am now. I actually feel so blessed.

 

Q: Amazing. Not often do we see inspiring success stories from fighters like you. So, how was your island journey?

 

A: It was challenging, really. I faced a lot of great fighters early in my career. My first manager Supremo released me for an unknown reason. Maybe he had financial issues or he had lost faith in me. I don't know. Anyway, my current manager Felipe picked me up and told me that I could reach greater heights. From then on, he told me to focus on striking because I would own the standup battle with my KO power and chin as long as I don't get taken down by a submission specialist. Training was tough, gyms were fully loaded and sessions were almost full. I just had to make the most out of it. After the hard work, it paid off. Guess I made the right decision trusting Felipe.

 

Q: You started your org debut out in Beach Fights, right? How was it?

 

A: Beach Fights was my first org and I was honored to have gotten the title match in my debut. Well, who was I to decline. I did my best and did what I had to do. Fortunately, I won. I fought a lot of great contenders back then. Everytime I face a ground fighter I need to be extra careful for takedowns. I'm just a white belt after all. I knew my strengths and I built on it. Hard work does pay off.

 

Q: Can you talk more about your first and only loss?

 

A: Well, it's really a tough loss. I came in with confidence. I focused on keeping it standing because we both know that we're polar opposites. It was a really bad idea to try and clinch, he took advantage of that slip up and took me down few seconds into the match. It was just about to be over eventually. I don't regret it though. I learned from that experience and grew more as a fighter. Wish I could have fought him again for the belt and finished my island season as a champion. Or maybe I could've challenged Souza for the IXF belt also. If they continue their career outside The Island I would love to go and face them.

 

Q: From your wins, which was the toughest?

 

A: Tough question. Hmm. I'd probably go for Ruben Nevez. He was a very good striker. He had the KO power (finished most of his opponents in the first round) and his only losses back then were submissions from Souza. I was basically fighting someone like me. Early in the match I could not get a hold of him. He was quicker and his striking was much better and I was missing most of my shots. I took a lot of damage from his punches but I held on. I got a good shot of him as my punches weakened him. Took a while to knock him out. Really tough fighter.

 

Q: What are your plans from here on?

 

A: I'll take care of moving to New York first. Get a house there and join my manager's gym to train. Unless IXF continues its operations in Vegas (which I doubt), I plan to wait out my contract and opt out in 7 days. Then, I plan to join BANDAI (I believe they are recruiting island fighters to transfer) and aim for the lightweight belt. Hopefully, some other island fighters transfer there also. Calling out Chief Bull and Souza to come to BANDAI.

 

Q: Thank you for your time Mr. Bourke! Had a lot of fun talking to you. Congratulations on a splendid Island Season! Any final words for your fans?

 

A: People say I won't succeed in the real world and just feed off my fame. They should come and try me out. Hard work should never be underestimated.

 

 

That's it for today MMA fans! Stay tuned for more editions of Lynch on Sports!

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