After opening his career with eight straight victories, Adam McDonough was signed by Bellator last year and made his debut on the preliminary card on Bellator 100.
His fight at Bellator 100 mark the first time he had a fight in 700 days as his previous fight took place in October of 2011 and he defeated Johnny Buck by TKO in the first round. The knockout came via a spinning back fist, but McDonough noted that even though it was an impressive knockout, he made many mistakes in the fight.
“I beat Johnny Buck by spinning back kick in my Bellator debut but I made a lot of mistakes in that fight,” McDonough said. “I felt like my wrestling was up to par but he got a couple takedowns on me, so I have to walk that fine line of not getting overly aggressive with my striking. But I want to finish fights! I can’t help it. I’m going to move forward. I’m going to look for the finish. I know what the fans and promotion want to see, and it’s definitely easier for me than fighting for 15 minutes. [laughs] Going on the feedback from my training partners, it’s not going to feel good if I put my hands or feet on you.”
He was initially scheduled to face Mark Scanlon tonight at Bellator 112 in the opening round of the season ten welterweight tournament, but Scanlon pulled out of the tournament last week for unknown reasons. With Scanlon being out, McDonough will now face two time NAIA All-American wrestler Jesse Juarez.
Juarez has gone undefeated in Bellator and initially made his debut with the organization back at Bellator 2 in 2009. He is currently riding a four fight winning streak, which includes a victory over current UFC welterweight and TUF: The Smashes winner Robert Whittaker.
“Jesse Juarez is a tough, experienced guy,” McDonough said. “He’s been around the game for a very long time and he already has a decorated career. He’s fought some big names in the sport and I’ve got nothing but respect for him. He’s got some length and reach, he’s got good takedowns and a solid Jiu-Jitsu game. He likes top control and he’s got very strong hips. He makes people make mistakes on the ground and then he exploits them.”
Just like every fighter, McDonough has to learn from the mistakes he has made in previous fights and for him, he has to make sure that he doesn’t try to make something happen that is not there. He admitted that he was aggressive in his Bellator debut last year and he can not do that against a veteran like Juarez.
“I was a little too overzealous and overly aggressive with my kicks and punches against Johnny Buck, so I have to make sure I don’t force anything. I have to do a better job of picking my spots and getting into range. I know Jesse Juarez has good kicks, so I’ll kick him right back, I guess? [laughs] I’m capable of taking him down and he’s capable of taking me down, we both have our strengths and weaknesses on the feet. He’s more experienced but that doesn’t rattle me. I’ve been in there enough to where I’m perfectly confident and comfortable.”
A majority of fans may not know who Adam McDonough is right now, but he plans on putting on a performance that fans will enjoy watching tonight during the Bellator 112 main card on Spike TV.
“Fans should expect pure fireworks in my fight with Jesse Juarez. I fight to finish. This will be no exception. I think I’m an exciting fighter and I bring the fight every time I step into the cage. That’s my gameplan no matter who they put in front of me. In Bellator, I want to prove that I’m one of the best 170-pounders in the world and that I’m here to fight the best. Bellator has some of the best fighters in the world and I’m excited for the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with them.”