CW146 is just over 4 weeks away, and in true Cage Warriors fashion, another blockbuster of a card is shaping up to blow the roof off othe BEC Arena in Manchester once again. Amongst this epic fight card will be Matt Figlak vs Jimmy Wallhead for the Interim Welterweight title.
Today, I had the opportunity to catch up with one half of this absolute barn burner of a contest, Matt Figlak. To gain some insight into what this opportunity means tk him, as well as his highly anticipated return to the CW cage.
Mateusz Figlak (7-1-0) is a Polish professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Welterweight division, representing Trojan Free Fighters Gloucester. He has competed for Meltdown Fighting Championships, Raged UK, Battle Arena and Cage Warriors.
I’d like to kick things off by thanking you for taking the time to speak with me today Matt, and also to congratulate you on your upcoming inclusion to the CW146 card.
“Thank you mate, thank you for your time to conduct this interview with me as well.”
Anytime mate.
I hope preparations have been going well in the build-up to your highly anticipated return to the cage?
“Yes mate very well, it’s been going really good. It’s been a very intense training camp, I feel good already. We’re four and a half weeks out and I already feel in the best shape I’ve ever been. My skills are on point, I’m improving every single week so I feel great for this.”
I must admit, I’ve been looking forward to your return.
“Yeah it’s been a while, but finally I’m back.”
What has been your main focus as you prepare to go to war on November 12th?
“My main focus, if I have one, is to just be in great shape for this fight physically. And to continue to improve as I do any other period of time when I’m training, which is all year round. I continue to look for improvements, make myself better.”
Great to hear mate, a great approach.
Last we saw you in action was back at the tail end of last year at the explosive CW132 card, Taking yourself to an incredible 4 fight win streak under the cage warriors banner via unanimous decision over Kent Kauppinen. Almost a year has past since that monumental night at the iconic York Hall. For the readers, could you elaborate on what you’ve been up to since your CW132 inclusion?
“I had some issues with my hand, which I had to get surgery for, then rehab. Since then I’ve been just improving my game. Even though my hand was hurt I was still improving, just focusing on getting better as time went on. I knew I was at the top of the Welterweight division, I knew I’d be fighting for the title soon and that’s coming now. I knew I had tk be ready, I knew I had to get better, there’s no time for waiting and not improving. I’ve been looking for those small improvements in every part of my game.”
I hope the recovery process went well for you.
“Yeah, it’s gone perfectly really, I’m happy with it. I’m happy how it all turned out, it was a really good job by the surgeon as well.”
That’s great to hear mate.
The interim Welterweight title will be up for grabs upon your return Graham Boylan’s iconic promotion, what does it mean to you to be getting this monumental opportunity upon your return?
“It’s something that I have envisioned, this is where I envisioned my path. To climb the ranks of Cage Warriors, getting the title, then moving on to the UFC. This is part of my path that I have already seen in my mind’s eye, and I’m really looking forward to it. Many big names have got the title at Cage Warriors before, and I look forward to joining them.”
When I saw the announcement I thought to myself, this is such a great contest. And an amazing return for you.
“Yes definitely.”
You are set to battle it out with Jimmy Wallhead, who recently also returned to the CW cage in winning fashion earlier on in the year at CW141. and no doubt matches your hunger for gold. What do you make of Jimmy in the build-up to your scheduled collision in Manchester?
“I think Jimmy’s been around the block, he’s a veteran of the game, he’s had many fights, definitely brings that experience in. I think his path is different to mine, I believe all he wants to do now is get that Cage Warriors belt and finish his career, he’s at the tail end of his career. I’m just crashing through the ranks on my way to the UFC, so we’re at different places. I’m coming In there for war, there’s no man that can take that belt away from me. I’m gonna go in there, win that fight, take that belt and then it’s off to the UFC.”
The BEC Arena is once again set to play host to yet another night of pure unadulterated organised violence when CW makes there highly anticipated return. Other than your inclusion on the night are there any matchups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?
“To be honest with you, I haven’t really paid attention to it. I don’t concern myself with other people, I focus solely on myself, my teammates and the people around me. I’m only interested in them really, if they have a fight on the night I’ll pay attention to them. But I’m sure it’s gonna be a great night, I’m sure there’s gonna be some good fights there, once I’m done with my fight I’ll watch.”
Incredible mindset to have, laser focused on the challenge ahead.
It’s been an absolute pleasure speaking with you today Matt and I look forward to catching you out there.
“Thank you very much for the chat mate, and for you taking the time to do these interviews. It’s been really good, it’s been nice speaking to you, your way of conducting interviews is very good as well so thank you.
Thank you very much matt, I really appreciate that.
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’d like to give a shout-out to all my training partners, all my sponsors, to my friends and family. They’ve been with me on this journey for many years, so I’d like to thank them. To the fans that are going to attend the event, pay attention and don’t blink because in the fight game you never know what’s gonna happen.”
Catch Matt vs Wallhead and many more outstanding Warriors on November 12th at the absolutely stacked CW146 card only on UFC Fight Pass. Tickets are available here.
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