Joe Elmore on “Clash of the Titans” vs Dustin Pague
Joe Elmore and Dustin Pague clash in the co-main event of BKFC 51 on September 29th.
Elmore appeared on the fifth episode of Bare Knuckle Radio to touch on where the winner goes in the welterweight title hierarchy thereafter, the respective blueprints for this barnburner bout, and so much more. Excerpts from the chat are below.
Joe Elmore
It seems like you’re really looking at this fight as something that can vault you toward fighting that top-five ranked opponent within BKFC and you also mentioned the ranked guys on Box Rec as potential opponents.
Do you see this next fight at BKFC 51 as one that could really vault you towards that tier there?
“Well, I was number five in the world when I left and over the last year there’s been a lot of guys; I mean it’s been hard to get me a fight. There are guys that don’t want to fight me. My division has really grown over the last year. There have been guys that have gotten like back-to-back to back fights. What I did when I knocked out Will (Chope), I went and I beat Tom (Shoaff) and got fight of the year, took two months off and fought again in a main event versus him (Leonard Garcia). So that’s what I’m trying to do now. I took that time off with; I got my contract going.”
BKFC
“There’s a lot of opponents now I can call out. Obviously after being off and inactive, I want to go right back into the top five. I do believe that Dustin is number five on Box Rec and number 11 on a boxing world ranking as well on another boxing site. So again yeah, man, it just pushes me right back in.”
Joe Elmore continued, “It’s a big name, former UFC, two clash of the titans. I’m a maniac-style fighter, he’s an engaging striker. Unlike my last opponent who hits and runs and fights for his points. I’ve got a guy that’s gonna fight and it just makes a lot of sense. Both of us are looking for a title and are two of the best guys in the world right now, so.”
BKFC 51
Your BKFC 51 opponent is very experienced. Pague had prior UFC fights against notable names along that circuit and he also has two pretty impressive back-to-back wins in BKFC.
So in saying all of that, what are your thoughts on Dustin Pague’s resume in BKFC so far but also some of the better stylistic attributes he has?
“He’s a soldier, a warrior. A lot of respect to him. I can’t say we’re like best friends but we’re good friends you know. We met in South Carolina, I kind of got on his corner’s nerves. I guess I was loud in the back getting my guys hyped up, clash of personalities. But afterward, we hung out, man, and I got to know him. I’ve always seen him fight; I respect his style. In my head, he’s three and oh, you know. It was a mistake that he made by hitting the guy on the way down. They had to be strict on it because of all the fouls and just trying to make it; it is what it is, you know.”
Joe Elmore vs Dustin Pague
“We’re not doing MMA anymore. Unfortunately, that was something he learned from. But man, he’s a talented dude. I’ve seen him get dropped in his last fight, get right back up, and destroy his opponent. I can’t remember his opponent’s name, it’ slipping from my mind right now (Wade Johnson). So, he has a resilience, he has power, he has the ability to get down, get back up. Yeah, man, I’m not underestimating him at all when I say I’m looking to defeat him and get to the title. I’m actually excited because he is a dangerous opponent.”
“Somebody that when I do defeat him, it’s another notch and a good name on my resume. I’m beating a top-ranked fighter, not some unknown guy to people in the world. He actually has established himself in BKFC. Not just a guy coming from the UFC to try bare-knuckle. He’s an actual bare-knuckle fighter. So, it’s a good matchup and it’s just good for both of us. A lot of talent from both sides and again just a good clash in my head. Perfect fight.”
Order and watch BKFC 51 below:
