INTERVIEW: Meet Exciting UFC Prospect Tom 'The Firekid' Duquesnoy

One of the world's most exciting prospects in Tom Duquesnoy officially signed for the UFC in January and the world of MMA rejoiced.

"The Firekid" has been on a rampage across the European scene, holding both the featherweight and bantamweight titles in the BAMMA promotions, similar to a certain Mr Conor McGregor who achieved the same feat under the Cage Warriors brand.

Duquesnoy has won ten consecutive fights since his only loss to current UFC featherweight Makwan Amirkhani back in 2013 when he was just nineteen. He has sinced bounce back with wins over Teddy Violet, Brendan Loughnane and most recently Alan Philpott to entice the UFC into signing the Frenchman.

Tom sat down with The ODDS Bible and discussed his future, his nation's ban on MMA and his weight class.

Firstly, you've recently signed with the UFC after being a two weight champion at BAMMA. When did you first hear of the UFC's interest?

I got in contact with UFC four years ago at the age of nineteen. I already had a long term vision of my career and I felt the good process at that time was to extend the deadline so I can bring the best entertainment to UFC at my best level. I like the following saying:

"When you're ready to be professional you turn amateur, when you're ready to be in the UFC you turn professional and when you're ready for the UFC belt, you turn UFC fighter".

Your sole defeat comes against Makwan Amirkhani who fights in the UFC. Is there any prospect of having a rematch?

We're not competing at the same weight class right now, but business wise it is interesting for the show to do it, I really think it would be a good idea to avenge my only loss.

You're widely considered as one of the best prospects in Europe, what can people expect from the Firekid inside the octagon?

I will continue to come at every fight at a better level than before. I will always have the aggressive style that made me successful during my career and I hope that the Americans will appreciate the French touch. It is an honour for me to fight in the land of MMA, a land that has welcomed me very well and I feel I can express my passion for the sport!

Image via YouTube/Gil'sMMA

As one of the leading French fighters, how do you react to your countries' ban of MMA as a sport?

It's a power struggle. In France, Judo is the fourth most popular sport and the first in combat sports.

The leaders of the French Judo Federation are lobbying to counter the advance of MMA because they know that if MMA is legalized, many licensees will leave for MMA because of the success of the sport.

Today, the UFC is valued at over four billion dollars and is growing in all countries of the world to such an extent that MMA has become the fourth sport in the US alone.

Picture that the Judo in France next to the UFC is like the little black duck next to the tall golden swan. Their goal is to give a bad image of MMA, saying that it is a violent sport without rules in order to discredit it to the Ministry of Sports and the general public.

We know the close ties between the highest authorities of the Judo federation and French sports ministry, their ultimate goal might be to include MMA in the Judo Federation, it is a business issue not ethics because right now. Everyone knows that MMA has always been ranked outside of the top 10 most dangerous sports.

Do you think the emergence of yourself in the sport may lead to new levels of popularity of MMA in France?

I am representing my country as much as I am representing my team JacksonWink. I would always help to the legalization of MMA in France, this is a country of Martial Arts, we have a very high level in Karate, Boxing, Wrestling and probably one of the biggest nations for the Judo.

Step by step people get educated on MMA, there is a growing demand as well. It's coming, but we just need to be patient and set up a good and organised federation for the development of the sport.

You've fought at both featherweight and bantamweight, what weight class do you see your future in?

I could be back at featherweight in the coming years, but right now the plan is to get the UFC belt at bantamweight.

Image via YouTube/TomFirekidDuquesnoy

How did you find life when you moved to train at the highly famed Jackson Wink Academy alongside the likes of Jon Jones and Carlos Condit?

I am very honoured to be a part of that team composed by such a lot of very high level coaches in all the areas of combat. I am progressing everyday thanks to the top-notch sparring partner coming from all over the world. Everybody has their own dream in the gym and are ready to help in order to grow every fighter to reach the top of the sport.

The life is ideal in Albuquerque; very calm, people are very humble and respectful; they remind me of my Polish grandparents who came to the north of France back in the 1930's to work in the coal mines. Everything they have in mind was to have a better life and giving everything they can in order to get a better future for their children.

What do you hope to achieve in 2017?

I am going to do everything it takes to approach my professional goal to be the UFC champion. I will make sure to put on great fights for the UFC and bring the best show possible for the audience.

I am now completely focus on the talent I have for fighting and I am not forgetting about the most important thing to me; being happy everyday doing what I love. I developed my own thinking about life and professional life; we got together for business but it is just a pretext to share beautiful adventures with the people you like.

Thank you all for your support.

Interview By: @DRusellMMA of MMA Latest News and TheODDSbible.

What do you think Tom can achieve inside the Octagon? Comment below!

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