'I'll be looking like a UFC fighter': Andre Russell makes a bold prediction ahead of T20 World Cup

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has stated that he will look like a UFC fighter by the time the T20 World Cup will arrive next year. Russell was a part of the West Indies side that recently defeated England by four wickets in the fifth and final Twenty20 International to win the five-match series 3-2.

3 things you need to know

• West Indies defeated England in the 5-match T20 series
• 3-2 turned out to be the final score
• Andre Russell is back in the West Indies squad

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Andre Russell feels he is shaping up like a UFC fighter

West Indies have suffered an excruciating plummet in international cricket over the years. The two-time T20 World Cup winner could not qualify for the 2022 T20 World Cup, and subsequently also missed out on the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Following that the team is in the rebuilding stage thus the need for veterans to come back and walk the side through this tough phase has been apparently realised. Hence, Andre Russell is back in the squad. Russell's inclusion gives West Indies much-needed solidarity and if he remains fit he would be able to contribute comprehensively.

Russell's physique is already an ideal athlete-like but the player wants to develop a shape like a professional fighter. Russell recently told TNT Sports that he is soon going to look like a UFC Fighter.

“I'll be in better shape, to be honest: I'll be looking like a UFC fighter. This series win means so much. It [makes me] want to push myself to the limit. have a lot of cricket to play and that's good. When you're playing cricket and in competition, your body is active and you're not just sat at home waiting for the World Cup. We are definitely going to give some teams a good, good run for their money in the World Cup,” said Russell.

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Russell says he is focused on his recovery

He went on to state that he is concentrating heavily on his recovery, but that despite his lengthy playing career, he still feels pressure. Russell finished the T20I series as the second-highest wicket-taker, with seven scalps in five matches.

“Fans won't know that, but I still get the pressure and the backlash and all of that. It just makes me stronger. I love my Caribbean fans and I know they are passionate about the game, and when we're messing up, they will be on our backs. I want to make sure that I do the necessary recoveries, drink a lot of coconut water and get my body right - massages, and all of that. That's what I did to really be able to come in the last game, bowl three overs for 30-odd runs [37] - and then today was exceptional from all the bowlers,” Russell added.