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Bryan Battle made a memorable impact at UFC Fight Night 243 in Paris, not only by securing a dominant finish over Kevin Jousset but also by embracing the role of the villain. After finishing Jousset with strikes, Battle ignited the crowd at Accor Arena with a WWE-inspired double middle finger celebration and fiery post-fight interview that set the tone for the night.
Recalling a similar experience from his UFC fight in Charlotte, Battle reflected on how the tables had turned.
“I was on the other end of this when the UFC came to Charlotte and I was the hometown guy,” he told reporters. “People were booing the mess out of the other guy just because he was the other guy.”
Understanding that the Paris crowd would be against him, Battle reveled in the moment.
"Kevin was just the conduit for me kind of giving the middle finger to all the fans out there today," he added.
The chorus of boos that followed his celebration didn’t faze Battle—in fact, he enjoyed it. He explained that he would much rather face a hostile crowd than an indifferent one, feeding off their energy.
“I’d much rather fight in front of a crowd that hates my guts and is booing me and trying to tear into me than a crowd that’s indifferent,” Battle said. “I love the energy, man. That was amazing.”
While his antics may have divided the crowd, Battle's performance speaks for itself. His win over Jousset improved his UFC record to 6-1 with one no-contest, though he believes it’s 7-1. Now, Battle is eager to face a ranked opponent and focuses on a top-15 spot.
“They keep asking me if I’m looking at anybody. My problem is that I’m looking at everybody,” he said. “Whoever wants it can get it, one through 15.”
With another impressive win under his belt and his eyes set on bigger challenges, Battle is positioning himself for a breakout in the UFC’s welterweight division.
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