BATAVIA/Flanagan confident heading into kickboxing title fight on Saturday in Depew

By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service

Without question, Peter Flanagan has that “fire in the belly” – the drive to succeed – as he resumes his professional kickboxing career this weekend at Castricone’s Colosseum Combat event in Depew.

The 36-year-old Flanagan, owner of First Response MMA located above Borrell’s Gym at 232 Ellicott St., has been honing his mixed martial arts and kickboxing skills in preparation for a Super Heavyweight title bout against R.J. “Bad Intentions” Hayes of Red Creek.

Link to First Response MMA Facebook page: (20+) Facebook

Previously: BATAVIA/Passion for mixed martial arts, jiu-jitsu drives first responder to open city venture – Video News Service

They will get into the ring on Saturday night as one of the high-profile matches on a card featuring amateur and professional combatants that begins at 6 p.m. at The Cove, 4801 Transit Rd., Depew.

Flanagan, a muscular 245 pounds, said he is poised and determined to raise his pro record to 2-0 (after winning his debut last September in Buffalo).

“I feel good and I feel confident,” he said. “R.J.’s a southpaw so I’ll try to stay on the outside of his lead leg. That will keep me in range for my power and keep him out of range for his power.

“I think I’m putting in more work than he is, I think I’m more talented and I think I just want it more.”

Flanagan, a City of Batavia firefighter, said the match is classified as American kickboxing.

“So, I can’t elbow and I can’t knee him in the face. But I can kick him in the head, kick him in the body and punch him in the head and body,” he explained.

When asked about getting punched in the face, he said it is liberating.

“I’ve been punched (in the face) a lot,” said Flanagan, who has been training since 2009 and competing since 2015. “Actually, it’s kind of freeing when you get punched in the face and you realize it’s not going to kill you.”

Doors for the event, billed as Fire & Ice, open at 4 p.m. For tickets, call Flanagan at 585-730-2545 until Friday or call 716-656-7946 or 716-866-6616.

Flanagan, a former City of Batavia police officer, said his wife and two sons will be among a large contingent of family and friends who will be there cheering him on.

Batavian Max Shaver (155-pound class), who trains at First Response MMA, also will be kickboxing at the April 5 tournament, which is sanctioned by the International Sport Karate Association.