Steve Magdelano Looking to BAMMA USA: Badbeat 8 to Leave a Lasting Impression

After a brief appearance on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koschek, lightweight Steve “The Dream” Magdelano has managed to build himself into a legitimate up-and-comer with three straight victories, raising his record to 9-3.

Magdelano credits his improved striking as the key to his recent success.

“I’ve gone against a lot of grapplers of late and I feel I’m better-rounded than a lot of them and have been able to keep it on the feet and knocking most guys out,” he said. “My improvement in my boxing has led to a lot of the knockouts I’ve had of late.”

Unfortunately for Magdelano, he’s been unable to capitalize on his winning streak thanks to his last two scheduled BAMMA USA fights falling through due to a no-show by an opponent and a rescheduling of events by the promotion.

Finding fights to make up for the cancellations have also been difficult. As Magdelano explains, “It’s kind of like a catch 22; you want to fight on the bigger shows, but they tell you that you need a couple more wins or this or that, but then it’s hard to even get fights for a lot of us.

“Sometimes you question whether your luck is going to turn around or not, but I guess that’s just part of the sport.”

Thankfully after months of waiting, Magdelano will get a chance to return to BAMMA Friday night at Badbeat 8 when he takes on Chris Culley in a feature bout in Commerce, Calif.

“Chris is kind of like when you’ve seen one or two of his matches you know what his game plan is,” said Magdelano. “He wants to keep his distance and throw the big head kicks.

“If it stays on the feet, I think my striking is just as good if not better than his and I think if I take him down, I will destroy him more easily. I don’t like to waste energy, so if I go for the shot it’s because I think there’s a good opportunity for it, otherwise I’ll keep it on the feet and try to knock him out.”

Magdelano told MMAWeekly.com that he knows gaining entry to the next level is going to be tough with so many fighters shooting for limited spots. So in order for him to make the transition easier, he knows he has to make a statement Friday night.

“I kind of want to remind people that I’ve been on a hot streak with three KO’s in a row,” he said. “My record is looking really good right now and another win over a quality opponent would really set the pace for the year.

“The way I win is very important to me. If I get a boring decision it’s not going to help me, but if I get a knockout or submission and make it look good, it will help me. I think I have to make a statement to get anywhere in this sport.”