Ryan Ford unfazed by Robert Hale’s trash talk: “I just laugh at it”
May 19, 2022
EDMONTON – Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford has a big laugh.
It’s never bigger than when he’s asked about his opponent Robert Hale’s trash talk heading into their fight at Unified 45.
Fighting out of Atlanta, Hale is 11-5 with three straight wins heading into his Unified MMA debut. He predicts a first-round finish over the hometown fan-favourite Ford, of course, and he hasn’t been shy about voicing his thoughts on Ford and their fight.
“I just laugh at it,” Ford says in between big chuckles.
“He’s never finished anybody in the first round. Or maybe he has, but who are they? Nobody has ever finished me except by submission. He’s talking about knocking me out. Well, keep talking.
“There have been a few guys who have been yapping at me throughout my career,” the Canadian combat sports legend adds, smiling. “We’ve always seen what happens – they don’t win.”
Unified 45 takes place at River Cree Resort & Casino in Enoch, AB, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass. Ford and Hale’s fight will headline the event, and will be for the inaugural Unified MMA Canadian Super-Welterweight Championship.
Ford is one of the most popular fighters in Canadian MMA history. The former World Series of Fighting title challenger boasts a pro MMA record of 23-5 and a professional boxing record of 17-7, with many high-profile bouts overseas.
Ford has never been one for trash talking opponents, he says, except sometimes returning fire. He prefers to let his fighting do the talking.
“At the end of the day, that strap is going to be wrapped around my waist,” Ford says, “and it’s going to be shown that there are levels to this.”
ABOUT UNIFIED MMA
Unified MMA is Canada’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, showcasing the country’s top-ranked fighters, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass. The organization has successfully promoted 44 events since it was founded in 2009, and has propelled several athletes to the UFC’s Octagon.
