It鈥檚 official. Marlan 鈥淧retty Boy鈥� Hall is now a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter in the Battlefield Fight League (BFL).
The 24-year-old Oliver native, and new Penticton resident, has signed a four-fight contract with the league on Aug. 5, with his debut professional fight taking place on Nov. 16 at the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam. Sponsored by the Osoyoos Indian Band, Valley Hemp and the Bike Barn, he said he鈥檚 ready to prove he has what it takes to go all the way.
鈥淲hen I signed, I told them I鈥檓 going to be the biggest star they鈥檝e ever had,鈥� said Hall. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a promise from me to the league.鈥�
The biggest difference between Hall鈥檚 amateur career in the league and his new professional one is that now he has the opportunity to win money alongside his titles. This means that he is beginning to transition so that he can fully support himself while he pursues his passion.
READ MORE: Video: South Okanagan鈥檚 鈥楶retty Boy鈥� Hall ends amateur MMA career a champion
鈥淚t鈥檚 a little bit scary and I get a little bit anxious over it, but this is what I鈥檝e worked for my entire life,鈥� said Hall.
Hall explained that he鈥檚 obligated to fulfill the contract by March 2021, and, barring any injuries, he doesn鈥檛 see that being a problem. He said on average, it takes him two to three months to bounce back and get back into the ring.
鈥淢y goal is to be 2-and-0 before I鈥檓 25, so I have until April,鈥� laughed Hall. 鈥淓ventually my goal is to become a world champion in the BFL and then, that鈥檚 when I can move onto the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). There鈥檚 guys (in BFL) who have been signed (to the UFC) at 6-and-0 and 7-and-1, so it鈥檚 usually around six to eight fights for these guys.鈥�
Hall said while he doesn鈥檛 know who he鈥檒l be matched up with, he鈥檚 not overly worried and plans to just focus on his training. He said he鈥檚 had his eye on some of the local professional fighters in the league and believes they will be worthy adversaries, but stills feels confident that he鈥檒l be able to beat them.
鈥淭hey can call any gym and just ask any fighter that they want, either a professional or maybe an amateur that wants to go professional, so they鈥檒l be making a lot of calls,鈥� said Hall. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l find someone around my experience level, but they won鈥檛 throw me in the deep end with someone who is like seven wins and no losses.鈥�
READ MORE: South Okanagan MMA fighter gets groovy with post-victory dance
Hall left behind the amateur division the featherweight champion, with a record-setting 10 wins and three losses. His last amateur fight, held on March 17 at the Hard Rock Casino, was over at 1:58 in the first round when he pinned challenger Casey O鈥橪eary. Over the summer he鈥檚 been participating in fight camps and training shark tank-style, where he spars for five five-minute rounds with five different opponents.
鈥淪o by the fifth round, I鈥檓 dead tired and there鈥檚 a fresh guy punching you, it鈥檚 very enjoyable,鈥� joked Hall. 鈥淚 thought I was going to take some time over the summer, but I just wanted to get onward with it and pursue it. You don鈥檛 want to sit out too long.鈥�
Hall said he is looking to gain more sponsors on his professional fighting career, and that those interested can contact him via email at marlanhall777@gmail.com.
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<>Jordyn Thomson | Reporter
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