Azi Thomas 9-4-1 is a Welsh Professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Featherweight division. He has competed for Battle in The Bay, Cage Warriors, ICE FC, KSW, EFC Worldwide, Absolute Championship Berkut, Contenders and FCC.
I’d like to start this off by thanking you for taking the time to speak to me today Azi, and also to congratulate you on your recent title fight announcement for Full Contact Contender, on June 25th.
Last we saw you in action was back in October 2021 at Contenders 31 taking on GBTT’s Jeremy Petley for the Vacant Featherweight title. Despite a valiant effort throughout all 5 rounds, the night was not yours. Looking back on that phenomenal performance, what did you take from your encounter with Jeremy?
“My first fight back after 4 and half years out was against probably the worst type of opponent stylistically wise. And taking on a decent opponent who had been very active unlike me, in hindsight wasn’t the best idea. But at the same time, it has given me 25 mins of cage time which is massive in this game. It also gave me the desire to fight someone with a similar style.”
Matthew Camilleri and The Featherweight title for FCC is your next hurdle and just goes to show that you’re more than happy to take on the top competitors the UK has to offer. What motivates you to be one of the stand-out competitors in the UK?
“I think Mathew is very similar. I only want to fight the best possible opponents, I need to get motivated to train and for this fight, I’m way more motivated than I was on Contenders. I know what I can do and I want to show that in this fight after getting rid of the cage rust.”
I’m lucky to be able to catch a glimpse of all the hard work you put in daily at the gym. Not only for your aspirations but also for training some of the most explosive amateurs spread across many regional promotions. Throughout your career you have prospered both inside and outside the cage, most recently being cornerman to Ayoub Dahech at Almighty Fighting Championship 23. In regards to roles in the MMA World, where do you feel most at home?
“I love coaching fighters as well as the general public. I’ve got goals in getting top fighters from North Wales on the top shows and in the next couple of years we will give a few then it’s the snowball effect.”
As previously stated, June 25th will be your 1st competitive outing since late 2021, does the prospect of becoming FCC’s Featherweight Champion tempt you into making the walk to the cage more frequently within the 2022 calendar?
“I’m going to be way more active. I want to get back on a top show not that FCC isn’t but I love fighting internationally. I did It in boxing as well as MMA.”
Many bouts are being made day by day for Adam Teh’s organisation, it is shaping up to be one of the biggest cards to date. Other than your inclusion on the night are there any matchups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing come June?
“This next card is big and it’s good to see the FCC putting its name back out there. It’s been around forever and that says something, you only have to look at their previous champions on the Pro card. I’m looking forward to seeing Joe Cummins.”
Last but not least do you have a message for the fans that will be in attendance and anybody you’d like to give a shout-out to?
“Shout-out to all the paradox crew, the 90 dayers, the people who stayed loyal through the last 2 years. My fight team and training partners. And my missus, she has to put up with a lot of shit from me, especially now as I’m going to be training full time again.”
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