Jerrell Hodge: I’m much better than guys I’m going against on the local level
Interview with Jerrell Hodge above
A year ago at this time, Jerrell Hodge had been out of fighting for almost three years and was eyeing a comeback.
Fast-forward, and he’s now riding a three-fight winning streak with all three wins via stoppage. He topped the highly regarded Tommy Espinosa with an impressive performance at Ohio Combat League 12 in May, and he then won his pro boxing debut a month later.
Many expected “Thunderkat” to be on the big stage by this point in his career, especially after he picked up wins over fellow top prospects Isaiah Chapman and Alfred Leisure earlier in his career.
Hodge is set to return to action at B2 Fighting Series 138 this weekend in at the Dayton Convention Center in Dayton, Ohio, where he’ll face 18-fight veteran Ben Pierre-Saint in the main event.
Hodge knows that he has to not only win, but win impressively.
“You know, finish fights like I did my last three this year,” Hodge said of what he needs to do to prove he belongs on the next level.
“Just keep showing how good I am, and how much better of a MMA fighter I am than the guys I’m going against on this local level,” Hodge said.
After a couple of losses and dealing with his coach and father figure John Cook being diagnosed with cancer, Hodge finally has things back on track.
“My confidence is up there again,” Hodge said. “I’m feeling more confidence about my skills. A couple years ago, my confidence wasn’t there, especially after I took that loss against [current UFC fighter] Tony Gravely, and the I took a loss right after that. And that really destroyed my confidence, but I got it back.”
Hodge is ranked as the No. 1 pound for pound fighter in Ohio according to Tapology, and he feels as though that ranking is justified.
“I just look at the guy across from me, and think, you’re not on my level,” Hodge said. “I don’t care who you are, what’s your record. My level is so higher than yours, you can’t touch me.”
Check out the full interview with Jerrell Hodge above.
