Batchelor ready to take on Balbali at PFL Lyon

Pontypool’s Levi Batchelor says he is determined to finish the year on a high as he prepares for his second PFL bout against France’s Rayan Balbali in Lyon on Saturday, 13 December.

The 23-year-old made an impressive start to life in the PFL in July, submitting Fahdi Khaled with an Ezekiel choke in the third round after dominating the contest on the scorecards.

“I’m always looking for the finish,” Batchelor said.

“That was less than a minute left in the fight. I was quite easily three rounds up and I was still hunting the finish. That’s what the fans want, that’s what the PFL wants.”

Batchelor will open a stacked card at the LDLC Arena, which features two world title fights including MMA great Cris Cyborg.

“Cris Cyborg is seen as one of the best women fighters of all time,” Batchelor added.

Batchelor’s opponent Balbali is 1-0 in his professional career and will have home advantage for the bout.

However, the Welsh bantamweight insists he has learned to enjoy competing on “enemy territory”.

“Keep feeding me the energy, I thrive from it,” Batchelor said.

“If anything, it takes the nerves off me because I know all the booing is because they want the other guy to perform. If I’m not allowing him to do that, it just means I’m winning.”

Batchelor has continued his preparations at Shore MMA, supplemented by training camps in Dubai and Thailand.

While overseas he worked alongside world-class coaches and athletes, including UFC flyweight contender Amir Albazi.

As well as aiming to make another statement in the cage, Batchelor has ambitions beyond his own career and hopes to help bring a PFL event to Wales in the future.

“I want to be that guy to bring the PFL back to Wales,” he said.

“I think we’re more than capable of having a big show here. There are multiple venues available, and I want to give myself the opportunity to do that — but I also want to give other fighters in Wales the opportunity to perform on a big stage.”

Undefeated in his pro career at 2-0, Batchelor says he is focused on steady, sustainable progress as he climbs the PFL ranks, taking inspiration from the Welsh fighters who have succeeded on the world stage before him.

“I take this one step at a time,” he said.

“I’m not trying to catapult myself to the top, and I’m not looking to sit on the sidelines either.