Angela Hill is back in action this weekend at UFC Fight Night Nashville, facing Randa Markos in a women’s strawweight division attraction.
The fighter hasn’t found much success in her second UFC run, which is why Hill wants to get back to a dumb fighter state of mind.
“Before I lost I was a dumb fighter and didn’t think there was a possibility of losing at all,” Hill told MMA Junkie. “If anything, it really took me far in my career. Going in with tons of confidence is one of the biggest things you can do and one of the best things you can do mentally for yourself as a fighter. It doesn’t mean be cocky and throw your hands down or whatever, but be confident in the time you’ve put in, the amount of work and the successes in training, and using that in the fight without any doubt in your head of, ‘What if it doesn’t work? What if I slip up? What if I get hit?’ After I lost I became a little more cautious, and I’m trying to get out of that and go back to that dumb fighter state of, ‘I’m going to beat everyone, and no one can beat me, and I’m the best fighter in the world.’ I truly believe that, but you also have to fight with that practical side of yourself that knows anything can happen in an MMA fight. The best fighter sometimes loses, and these are the realities of the sport. I have to push those smart person analysis out of my head and stick with the dumb fighter side of myself.”
Hill has won just two of five since returning to the promotion, with those wins coming over Ashley Yoder and Maryna Moroz.
While Hill may not be in title contention at the moment, one thing the fighter believes is that a few wins will change her back into a contender.
“I definitely think two solid wins, two dominant wins could put me back in the talks of title contention,” Hill said. “That’s what I’m fighting for.”
UFC Fight Night Nashville takes place on Saturday, March 23 from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee with Stephen Thompson and Anthony Pettis headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on ESPN+.
