‘I do think I won the fight’
Entering the scrap, Bassil Hafez was confident that he would be able to get Jack Della Maddalena down to the ground and have success on the mat. He did just that in the first half of the scrap. But, as the fight wore on, he got started to fade and Della Maddalena took over.
Yet, when the final bell rang, Hafez was still confident he did enough to get his hand raised. However, it was Della Maddalena winning a split decision.
“He did defend some takedowns later in the fight that were sloppy. If he didn’t it would have been sad for him. But, I expected myself to be able to take him down,” Hafez said. “I had to use my strength to get him down. But, I did expect him to be able to take him down when I wanted to. I’m pleased that I didn’t get finished and that I almost won. However, that’s the only thing I am happy with. I do believe I should have beaten him if I did some other things. But, I do think I won the fight anyway. I’m happy with my performance and that I got the Fight of the Night. But, I do think I could have done more in there. I still think I beat him and should have gotten the win.”
Ultimately, the hope for Bassil Hafez is to fight again soon against whoever the UFC gives him. He says he isn’t afraid to get another ranked opponent. But, Hafez knows he likely has to work his way up there.
“To me, I believe I am a top-15 fighter. I’m just excited to prove myself over the next three fights on my contract. I don’t care who I fight but I’ll try and get a bonus every fight. I want to be a fighter that gets a bonus in every fight whether it’s because of a stoppage or Fight of the Night,” Hafez concluded.
