I’d like to start this off by thanking you for taking the time to speak to me today Hywel, to have the opportunity to speak with such a household name around the UK MMA scene is an honour.
“Believe me, the pleasure is all mine.”
In 2018 fight fans got to hear you announce your first event for Cage Warriors at CW99 at Charter Hall. And now, 4 years later, fans and fighters alike couldn’t picture what it would be like without hearing your booming voice echo across the four corners of the Iconic York Hall.
Looking back to 2014 when you first took to the mic at ESE Fight night 2, did you picture yourself ever reaching this many years announcing. As well as calling the action for the biggest MMA organisation outside of the UFC?
“When I started on this journey it wasn’t something I would ever have envisioned. I love the sport of MMA, and just knew I wanted to be a part of it in some way. The idea of working at the level Cage Warriors operates at wasn’t even on my radar, but it’s an honour to do the job for such a reputable organisation!”
To be nicknamed ‘the Welsh Bruce buffer’ speaks volumes for your input over your career within the world of Mixed Martial Arts. Each, if not all of the team of MMA organisations have ties to Martial arts in general. What was your first encounter with the brutal yet exhilarating sport?
“Ha! For anyone to put me in a sentence with Bruce is humbling, but he has his style as I hope I do! I first encountered MMA when I began training at Tillery Combat (now Shore Mixed Martial Arts), there was a sense of community and camaraderie in the gym that I enjoyed. Since then I haven’t looked back!”
Over this octave of your announcing journey and the many events you have been a part of, is there a specific night, in particular, you will never forget?
“That would be Cage Warriors 104. It was the first numbered event I’d worked the full card for, in Cardiff, there were a lot of people and fighters there that I had grown up watching. To play my part in helping the show run, along with having a passionate Welsh crowd made the event memorable.”
Cage Warriors has brought fight fans some of the greatest Mixed Martial Artists ever to have graced the cage. And just as many memorable encounters. Throughout your time announcing with them, has there been a specific match-up you were pleased to have been able to witness?
“I’ll forever be grateful to have witnessed Cage Warriors 128: Hughes vs Charrière. This was the second show that had fans back in attendance. The mixture of fans on all three sides of the venue, along with the warrior-like performances Paul & Morgan put on created an atmosphere that’s hard to forget, and even harder to recreate! I had selfishly enjoyed the insight that non-crowded events gave. Things like hearing exactly what corner teams were saying, and the advice they gave between rounds. This event, however, showed me exactly why you can’t beat the atmosphere of a packed-out live event!”
A new year brings a whole array of cards across the CW family. Many of which will have your mic skills at the helm. Are there any scheduled Cards you are particularly looking forward to witnessing?
“I look forward to every event with Cage Warriors. The matchmaking team is so talented it’s hard not to be pleased every time. However, the most important event is always the next one. So I’m looking forward to getting involved with Cage Warriors 134 back at Indigo at the O2.”
Last but not least do you have a message for the readers and anybody you’d like to shout out to?
“I’d just like to extend a big thank you to everyone who supports me, everyone I work with on shows, and the team at Cage Warriors for delivering some great events!”
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