Coner ‘Hand Grenade’ Hignett 9-7-0 is an English professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Flyweight division, representing Hamma. He has competed for ICE FC, Shinobi MMA Fighting Championships, Absolute Championship Berkut, Tankō Fighting Championships, Extreme Fighting Championship Worldwide, Masda Fight Night, Almighty Fighting Championship, MTK MMA and Cage Warriors.
I’d like to start this off by thanking you for taking the time to speak to me today, Conor. And also to congratulate you on your recent fight announcement for CW138.
“Alright mate, long time no speak!”
Your return has had its setbacks, previously set to take on Scott Malone at the tail end of the 2021 campaign of cards on the second shot fired from Double Trouble at CW132.
Even though it’s all part and parcel of the fight game, It must have been a frustrating time that your return was put on hold?
“Haha yeah, the setbacks were obviously annoying but things were out of my control on that part. The Scott Malone fight I suffered an injury in the camp which took a few weeks/months to recover, in the second fight camp I just struggled to get an opponent. The time off has just given me more time to become even more superhuman, so I’ll be back with a bang in Colchester.”
How does it feel to be back on the roster with the London based organisation?
“It’s great to be back. I live for this shit, I don’t do anything else except train and teach fighting all day every day. so when I can’t get in the cage I turn into an angry ginge haha.”
Throughout your career you have prospered both inside and outside the cage, most notably being cornerman to Azi Thomas in his bout against Jeremy Petley at Contenders 31 in London. In regards to roles in the MMA World, where do you feel most at home?
“I’m a fighter I want to fight, and I wanna take over the world doing it and I will. Pretty much everything I do all day every day is based around 15 minutes in a cage, so that’s what I want to do the most. I love teaching and helping people become better at anything they desire to be better at, I’ve changed people’s lives with my job and saved people’s lives. So I wouldn’t do one without the other, always teach what I’m taught and spread the knowledge!”
The last we saw you in the Cage was back in June 2021 taking on Gerardo Fanny at CW125. Despite a valiant effort, the night was not yours. What did you take from that continual back and forth at the iconic York Hall?
“When I fought Fanny I realised he actually was a big massive Fanny, I also realised I’ve got big massive balls too. But like any man, I need to think with my brain more rather than the gonads haha lol. Fanny was getting beat in that fight. That’s why he kneed me when I was down, yeah the fight was getting tough for me but I could handle it, he did what he did and it paid off for him, but when I fight him again he’s getting hurt, simple as that.”
May 28th your return is set in stone in Colchester taking on Michelangelo Lupoli 5-2-0, a quite evenly matched comeback. Both of you hold similar records in the cage. What do you make of your opponent for the action-packed CW card?
“My next opponent has a good base in all areas, but I’ve broken him down and analysed him, the way he moves and even the way he thinks. I’m gonna break him down in the cage and when he runs out of his usual ideas he’ll be there for the taking.”
Not many bouts have been confirmed as of yet, for CW’s return to Colchester but from what’s been announced so far, ita set to be an absolutely electric night. Other than your inclusion, are there any confirmed or unconfirmed matchups that you’re particularly looking forward to?
“To be honest mate I haven’t looked at the card, I have massive respect for all the other fighters on it but I’m concentrating on mine and mine only. I’ll watch after I’ve smoked my opponent and let you know what I thought then.”
The fight game is a test of Sheer determination and heart as well as being capable of the stresses that come with it. Being a gifted professional what advice do you give to amateur fighters looking to take their game to the next level?
“To the young amateurs starting off I’d say, that little seed of a dream or idea you’ve got in your head just don’t let it go. Keep it there, work hard as fuck every fuckin day, even if you feel it’s too much or too hard or you’re not good enough, just keep going keep learning and let that dream grow. Because it will if you put your time into it.”
Last but not least do you have a message for the readers and anybody you’d like to give a shout-out to?
“Yeah, nice one for all the support everyone who’s reading this and for everyone who has supported me over the years. Thank you to all my coaches at HAMMA Gym.
Sean Martin
Conah Martin
Richard Lunt
Matt Clempna
Danny Lyons
Sean Holt
Eddie Johnson (both of them)
My dad and family
And finally, thank you to all the sponsors for all their help;
Sinclair Recruitment
Vortex
Rygor
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