Daniel Crooks-May 0-0-0 is an English professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Lightweight division, representing Diesel Gym & 10th Planet London. He has competed for WCMMA and Cage Warriors South-East. He holds an amateur record of 5-2-0 and is set to make his professional debut on Saturday 3rd of September for Contenders.
I’d like to start things off by thanking you for taking the time to speak to me today Daniel, and also to congratulate you on your upcoming inclusion to the Contenders return to London for the incredibly stacked Contenders 33 card.
“Thank you for taking the time to talk to me today.”
My pleasure mate, I was hoping to grab a chat with you after hearing about your inclusion on the card.
I hope training has been going well in the build-up to your highly anticipated professional debut in the cage?
“Training has been phenomenal, keeping active and going fight to fight has only been a blessing and I can’t wait to show the further improvements I’ve made since the last fight. I can’t think of a better place than Contenders to show this.”
My visit to Diesel a few weeks back gave me a glance at all the phenomenal work that gets put into your daily routine, as well as witnessing how much of a family of fighters you guys are. What does it mean to you to be part of the well-oiled machine that is Diesel & 10th Planet?
“It means the world to be part of the mighty Diesel gym and 10th planet London. As you said and saw, we truly are more than just a gym, we are a family eager and desperate to be all we can be. not just win our fights and competitions, but also succeed in this game we call life. I can think of no better place or people to have with me on this journey.”
Your amateur journey has given fight fans a masterclass of memories, displaying your vast array of talents and notching victories with 2 of the biggest organisations in the UK in WCMMA and Cage Warriors South-East Academy.
When receiving the call from the Contenders team to be part of their return to London, was the notion of joining your teammates in the capital an opportunity you just couldn’t refuse?
“I’m very lucky and grateful to have competed on such amazing shows, and the people who have followed me from the beginning have been able to see all the improvements made since I’ve started. Contenders is a fantastic show and Contenders 33 is the perfect moment to make my London/pro and Lightweight Debut, an opportunity I couldn’t miss. Having the team there just makes it all the more sweeter.”
With everything set in place, we are now just nine days out from what is set to rumble the very foundations of the capital when Contenders return to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. You are set to take on Marin Vetrilla who will also be debuting in the professional division. What do you make of Marin in the build-up to your scheduled meeting?
“Marin is an incredible competitor, I look forward to our battle and seeing who is the best man on the night.”
If your amateur outings are anything to go by, you aspire to reach the top of your division wherever you take the walk. Will your inclusion on the 3rd be a sign of things to come in regards to the Lightweight division of Contenders?
“Of course, I don’t do anything in life I’m not committed to, and winning this on September 3rd, making a statement, and showing what I’m truly about is the first step of many goals. I have much more of my MMA journey to go. And for Contenders, I will be their Lightweight champion, it’s a matter of when not if, but the first business must be handled on September 3rd.”
So many exceptional athletes have graced the Contenders cage, I look forward to your future outings, you’re a fine addition to their roster.
Contenders return to London is once again set to be one of the biggest nights of MMA in the capital, many exceptional amateurs such as yourself, and well-rounded professionals are set to take centre stage on the London-based organisation’s 33rd card to date. Other than your inclusion on the night are there any matchups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?
“I cannot wait to see shirzad and big trev do what they do best and will be ringside for both those fights. Trev has only gotten better since his first fight and is set to take over the middleweight division. Shirzad is the champion without the crown and on September 3rd he will be crowned, I can’t wait to share this moment and night with my brothers.”
It’s been an absolute pleasure speaking with you today Daniel and I look forward to witnessing your professional journey unfold.
“Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to me today Aaron, it has been a pleasure and I look forward to catching up with you after the fight.”
I look forward to that mate.
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?
“I want to thank all my family and friends for their continued support in helping me to be the best I can be. My coaches and training partners from Diesel gym and 10th planet London for all my skills and The body therapist and FORM-AI for helping keep me at my physical peak.”
Tickets are still available from the fighters for what’s set to be a night of pure unadulterated organised violence in the capital. Also available from the Contenders Website here. Also available on PPV with MMATV here.
Subscribe
