Glory 12's Wayne Barrett: 'I definitely see myself walking out with my hand raised'

For anyone looking at the Glory 12 main event, which takes place tonight (Sat., Nov. 23, 2013) at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York, N.Y., match up on paper, it's a clear mismatch.

Joe Schilling is the favorite with a 16-4 record and the Glory 10 Middleweight tournament championship under his belt. The underdog, 3-0 prospect, Wayne Barrett isn't going to be given much of a chance this evening.

And that isn't much of a concern for him.

"It's not about people giving me credit or not," Barrett told MMAmania this week at the Glory open workouts. "It's how fighting is -- people go off of a record on who they like and who they don't like. It's up to me. It's my job to prove to myself first off, and to others that I belong in the ring."

Foreigners have always reigned in the sport of kickboxing, but Glory is looking to push North American talent and win over the American demographic aged 18-34. The New York-based fighter is excited about being in an all-American main event with Schilling.

"It's an eternal battle between he and I, but for the sport of kickboxing itself, it's going to do wonders for the American public all together," he said. "It's going to be something that is definitely positive for America and for the sport of kickboxing and Glory."

Barrett may only have three professional fights under his belt, but he has knocked out all three of the opponents he's faced. His last two finishes were over Robbie Plotkin at Glory 10 and Mike Lemaire at Glory 9. Does he think he can keep the momentum rolling at Glory 12 against Schilling?

"I mean, God willing it's going to keep going," Barrett said. "I've got a plan and I just want to keep sticking to my plan and doing what I love. This is what I love to do. I'm happy and I'm excited to get in the ring and show people what I can do. I don't want to say win or lose, it's a fight anything can happen. I definitely see myself walking out with my hands up."

The Queens resident trains in New York City at Evolution Muay Thai, and at the Church St. Boxing Gym, where the Glory workouts were held. Local mixed martial arts (MMA) MMA fighters Costa Philipou and Gian Villante helped prepare him during this fight camp, too. In other words, there will definitely be many New Yorkers on hand at The Theater at Madison Square Garden to support the local fighter tonight.

"Absolutely," he said. "I know there is going to be a lot of cheers, but when I'm in the ring it's all business. Hopefully after the fight, we can celebrate the victory."