On September 28, Teddy Ash could become the sport’s next champ-champ.
The Canadian (11-3 MMA) will fight Seth Baczynski (22-14) for the Unified MMA vacant middleweight strap at Unified MMA 34. Ash enters the bout as the promotion’s light heavyweight champion after defeating Kobe Ortiz via unanimous decision in May. Now, he gets a chance to secure another world title against Baczynski, an 11-fight UFC veteran who won Fight of the Night honors twice. Ash said Baczynski is his toughest test to date.
“A win over him improves my record by one more win, so that’s big,” Ash told MMASucka. “He’s got the most experience [of my past opponents] and fought at the highest level against the toughest. He’d be my biggest win.”
“Teddy Bear” feels his win over Ortiz to win his first Unified MMA title is instrumental in his preparation for Baczynski.
“A 25-minute fight gives me 25 minutes of footage to analyze and breakdown where I’m stronger and where I can still get better,” he said. “25 minutes of experience adds up and makes me that much better of a fighter and a smarter fighter when you’re in there.”
Ash’s Options
Ash said on top of defeating a veteran of Baczynski’s caliber, it’d be awesome to become a dual-weight champion for Unified. He also won the Prestige FC light heavyweight title in March. He feels if he wins against Baczynski, the UFC could consider signing him.
“If I give [Baczynski] my best performance and come out on top, it’ll be three titles in a row and a six-fight winning streak, it would make sense,” he said of a possible UFC call. “If not, I won’t hold my breath. Winning is undeniable. If you keep on winning, they can’t deny you. I’ll take the biggest opportunity I have each time.”
If the UFC or another top organization doesn’t recruit Ash after his fight with Baczynski, he intends to defend either his light heavyweight title or potential middleweight strap with Unified MMA on December 7.
To do that, he’s got to get by “The Polish Pistola,” Baczynski. He holds wins over the likes of Neil Magny, Matt Brown and Alex Garcia. However, Ash is confident he’ll get the job done.
“I’m gonna work my ass off as I have been the whole camp and I’ll come out victorious,” he said. “The only thing I see in my mind is me winning.”
Ash’s bid for a second Unified MMA title can be caught on September 28 live on PPV at UnifiedMMA.ca. The event takes place at the River Cree Resort and Casino in Enoch, Alberta.
