Dinky Ninja Alan Johnston faces 3-3 Ousmane Sidibe at On Top 4 on February 25 at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Scotland.

Johnston’s original opponent, Mehdi Mabrouk, was forced to withdraw from the event. His new opponent Sidibe has fought top UK competition like Mark Scanlon and Warren Kee.

Your MMA: Has your training returned to normal yet, after the old D-unit was destroyed at the end of last year?

“Training is always difficult but it has been a lot easier getting to a local gym in 2012, as we are now in our new home straight across the car park from the old D-unit, and it's twice the size."

Your MMA: You had watched a lot of Mabrouk, how disappointing is it to have the opponent change so late?

“It's not too disappointing that my original opponent pulled out. I’ve had a bit of experience in the fight game now that I know things do happen where people have to pull out, and this has happened to me before so it's not such a big deal now that I'm matched.”

Your MMA: How big a difference does it make to your preparation? Does it mean a difference focus in training, or is it pretty much the same as before?

“My preparation doesn't change with different opponents as such. I always train every discipline no matter why type of opponent I fight. There’s maybe a slight change in game plan for the fight, but preparation is always the same.”

Your MMA: Mentally, is it difficult to have prepared for fighting one opponent, then have to forget about him and focus on another?

“Not really, these things happen so you just have to get on with it and focus on the new target and start thinking on what you've got to do to beat him.”

Your MMA: What do you know about the new opponent? Is this a tougher or easier test, as Mabrouk was known to be a great upcoming prospect?

“My new opponent has a 4-3 record. To be honest, I don't think his losses are a true reflection of him as a fighter, as he has fought Warren Kee, who is top 20 in the UK, Mark Scanlon, who is a UFC veteran, and James Bateman who is 5-1, so his losses aren't against any push-overs.

“He does look pretty tough and looks pretty relentless, so it's hard to say if he is tougher or not. I'm certainly not looking past him at all. I take every opponent as my toughest test to date.” 

Your MMA: How would you evaluate your 2011?

“There were one or two performances I wasn't happy with in 2011, the main disappointment being my last middleweight fight, which ended as a draw.

“On the upside, it made me want to drop to welterweight and that's where my best performances have happened. In 2012, I want to keep my unbeaten record going and be constantly improving every part of my game. That's always my main goal.”

Your MMA: This is your third fight at On Top, what do you make of the promotion?

“I'd say On Top are becoming noticeably better with every show, they look after the fighters well, which is a huge part of it and it's a really well run and professional show. I'm really looking forward to fighting on it.”

Your MMA: Not meaning to look past this opponent, but do you have any other fights lined up, or any other fighters you'd like a shot at?

“I don't have any fights lined up as yet. It's something that John Nicolson deals with. I fight who ever he puts in front of me.

“Yeah, there is a person who I'd like to fight, but it's up to me to earn a match with him.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Come and tell us who you think Alan Johnston wants to fight on Facebook and Twitter

Tickets for On Top 4 on February 25 at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Scotland are available via http://www.ontoppromotions.co.uk

Subscribe