Max Nunes returns to the ACB cage to take on Luke Barnatt at ACB 63 in what is touted as one of the most anticipated European clashes to ever go down. ACB’s play-by-play commentator, Bryan Lacey, got the chance to speak to Max ahead of the fight to get his thoughts on what is set to go down in Gdansk, Poland.
Bryan: Your next fight is against Luke Barnatt, I spoke to him earlier in the week and he explained that both you guys know and like each other and he said there was a phone call between you two that happened before you both agreed to the fight. Who phoned who and what was said?
Max: Yes, we spoke about it. We both agreed it’s nothing personal and in fact before this we were saying that we wanted to train with each other so we thought let’s just get this out of the way because we’re both fighting in the same promotions now so sooner or later this was going to happen so we said let’s do it now, get it done and then we can start training together afterwards.
Bryan: When you’re preparing for Luke, for someone you know, is it a lot different to preparing for an opponent you don’t like or don’t know?
Max: No, there’s no difference whatsoever. I just do my thing, it doesn’t matter about the opponent. Strangely it’s more comfortable in a way because I know him and I’ve known him for like 6 years because we both started back in UCMMA so I’ve always known about him, it wasn’t like this was a new opponent I had to get my head around. What I do know is that he is a great guy but this is just competition. This is just sport. There’s no trash talking, no disrespect, we’re both just going to go out there and put on a great show, a great fight.
Bryan: Where are you training for this camp? And who are your main training partners for this one?
Max: I’m training where I always train out here at All Stars in Stockholm. I’ve trained a lot with Alexander Gustafsson and a couple of other guys that aren’t ‘famous’ but they’ve helped me a lot. They’ve all been tall guys because Luke is obviously a tall guy. The whole team has been really helpful.
Bryan: Have you ever fought in Poland before?
Max: No, I’m really excited actually as I’ve never even been to Poland so I’m excited to go there and see what it’s all about.
Bryan: That’s great. What do you know about the country?
Max: To be honest, absolutely nothing! I will say I have a lot of Polish friends living in the UK but I have never been to see it myself. This is what I love about the fight game, I get to travel the world and tick off countries that I have never been to. So I’m excited to go to Poland to see what it has to offer!
Bryan: Finally, what are your predictions for the fight?
Max: That’s a good question. Luke is a tough fighter, he’s well rounded and I don’t think he’s lacking in any area but I think my strength will be the key in this fight. He’s fought most of his career at middleweight. I know he had one fight at light-heavyweight and I’ve fought in both divisions too but it’s a big big difference size and strength-wise and I’m not the smallest light-heavyweight so I think that will be the to my advantage and I think he’ll have a big shock at the strength difference between me and his previous opponents but like always I am training hard and training for victory. I see the victory and probably by TKO.
