With only one day to go until Powerplay 35, Elliott Glenister has told Fight News Australia that he is ready to make a statement despite a last minute change of opponent.
Originally slated to fight fellow Victorian Leone Torrens, Glenister will now have to contend with Jonathan Aiulu, a hot prospect out of the Corporate Box Gym in Queensland who is on a similar career trajectory as Glenister. More often than not late replacements frustrate all parties including the fans, fighters, and promoters, but on this occasion, Aiulu is a strong stand-in and is well placed to provide Glenister with one of his toughest challenges.
Not perturbed by the unknown quantity in Aiulu or having to change strategies, Glenister goes into the five-round muay thai fight confident and composed.
“I’ve only heard his name for the first time two days ago after my original opponent pulled out, but I’m ready for any opponent”.
Confidence is an area in which Glenister certainly isn’t lacking, and it’s often a crucial trait needed to be successful in the ring. With 13 fights and nine wins to his name, Glenister contends that more often than not his toughest opponent is not the man that stands in front of him, but the one that looks back at him in the mirror.
“I don’t consider any of my past opponents to have been hard, all of my losses have been questionable. My hardest opponent is really myself”.
Glenister’s last fight was back in June on Warriors Way 19, where he faced the durable New Zealander Shem Murdoch and took the bout via a unanimous points decision. Those in attendance will have noted the dominant boxing display from Glenister on the night, a skill he says is integral to his gameplan in the ring and has helped him earn some big wins this year.
“Boxing has always been a part of my game. I knocked out Tom Wilkins on Rebellion 15 with all my punches finding their mark. Fist, foot, knee or elbow, I aim to be devastating at all angles”.
Following his fight against Aiulu, Glenister will have his eyes firmly glued to center ring to take in the main event between heavyweights Joe Boobyer and Steve McKinnon. Training alongside Boobyer at Absolute MMA, Glenister is well placed to provide some insights on the fight and firmly believes his new stablemate will come out victorious tomorrow night.
“I don’t doubt Joe will dominate the fight, all of his strikes are precise and I see him landing high kicks to stop Steve”.
Recently changing teams and moving over to Absolute MMA, Glenister is well positioned to take advantage of the high-quality facilities and professional coaches on offer and has even begun working towards a move into mixed martial arts as early as next year.
“Absolute MMA is run by expert coaches who are fully committed. Everyone at the gym posses the same vision and is there to push each other. Its an overall great environment with a sophisticated training program which I thrive off”.
With the best tools at his disposal, Glenister is not just aiming to make up the numbers in Australian fight sports, but dominate.
“I want to be the face of Australian combat sports. I want everybody in Australia to know my name”.
The 35th edition of Powerplay takes place on Saturday night from the home of fight sports in Victoria, the Melbourne Pavillion. The show will also be streamed live via FiteTV.
