Matthew Nicholson 1-1-0 is an English professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Light Heavyweight Division. A professional competitor since 2021. He professionally competed for Lockdown Fight Series, and Fightstar Championship and is due to make his debut for London-based organisation Contenders.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to speak with me again today Matthew, and also to congratulate you on your recent inclusion on the Contenders 33 card.
I hope training camp has been going well in the build-up to your scheduled return to the cage?
“Yeah, I’ve been working a lot and finding the time to train alongside. Due to my main sparring partner being injured, my camp has had new guys this time but I’m still putting in hard work and dedication.”
As many in the fight game will know, many obstacles will manifest themselves when fight day approaches. Previously set to take centre stage at Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Fusion FC 34 card back in June, these obstacles occurred.
We spoke of these issues after the fight never occurred, but for the readers and the fans that were looking forward to witnessing you in action, could you elaborate on what occurred?
“Yeah, the Fusion card had an obstacle there for sure. The guy asked for 90kg and I accepted thinking I wouldn’t have a problem. Dropping a bit closer to the time I realised 93kg is my home and that extra weight to drop would impact my performance. 90kg isn’t a weight class and I wasn’t prepared to deplete myself from my natural fight weight. I asked if he could meet me 93, 92, and 91 and he refused, so ultimately I did too. I’ve had dirty weight cut issues in the past, I didn’t want issues like that affecting my pro career. I make 93kg strong and explosive, so I regretted accepting 90kg. As we get older we naturally put on that size weight and I miss measured the process of that extra 3kg on an empty stomach and drained body.”
Fully fit and ready for war once again, you set your sights on the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, a place that over the 2022 MMA calendar, has played host to all-out barn burners for fight fans in the capital and will not soon forget.
Your return to the capital will see you take on Dawid Panfil, with both of you holding a mirroring record of 1-1-0, this has to be one of the most evenly matched bouts of the evening. What Do you make of Dawid in the build-up to your scheduled meeting on September 3rd?
“The Dawid fight makes sense right? From what I’ve seen of him we have the similarities of going up in weight and have been around for a while. I wanna go out with a bang if this is my last match es I’ve been wanting other things at the moment. The fight game at present isn’t gonna pay for these things. I might feel different after and have that fire burn bright again but one thing’s for sure, I don’t wanna walk away on a loss lol.”
Without giving too much away what steps have you been taking to make sure you walk out with your arm raised and another W to your professional record?
“Well, last fight I got caught with a shot no one saw coming and would have KO’d anyone. He had never used that jumping knee to my knowledge in previous fights, so it’s one of the things that literally “it takes one shot and it’s over” anyone can get clipped. If you threw something wild out there and it landed, well it landed and you won init. There are no guarantees in the fight game, and anything can happen there. Gotta believe and prepare best you can for the upcoming challenge ahead.”
Contenders have made many successful outings to London in recent years, and each and every outing has given fight fans of London a night of well-matched MMA action from gifted amateurs and professionals such as yourself. Contenders 33 is shaping up to be quite the night, other than your inclusion on the night, are there any matchups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?
“As of now, I’m a part of Alpha Talent Management. So any guy a part of this management or any guy I’ve trained with in the past or know personally I do like to have a watch. I haven’t fully seen the match card but I think a few guys from Alpha are competing on the card. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Harry Davies.”
I wish you all the best for September Matthew and I look forward to witnessing you out there once again.
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?
“Thanks to everyone that’s coming to support me, I will never forget these people. We go out and celebrate afterwards and make some memories.”
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.
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