We are just under 2 weeks away from the long awaited return of Hexagone MMA and their 7 card to date on March 11th.
Many phenomenal athletes will take centre stage that night, but everyone in attendance will have a sharp eye on the explosive Main-Event Welterweight title bout between Walter Gahadza and Aymard Guih.
I caught up with 1 half of this absolute barn burner of a Main-Event Walter Gahadza, to gain some insight Into what this amazing opportunity means to him.
Walter ‘The Sniper’ Gahadza (19-7-0) is an English professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Welterweight division, representing Great Britain Top Team. Walter has competed for Ultimate Warrior Challenge UK, the United Kingdom regional’s, UCMMA, A Warrior of Life MMA, Made4TheCage, BAMMA, Bellator MMA and takes the walk to the Hexagone MMA cage on March 11th.
I’d like to start things off by thanking you for taking the time to speak with me today Walter and also to congratulate you on your upcoming Championship opportunity at Hexagone MMA 7.
“Thank you mate, my pleasure.”
I hope preparations have been going well in the build-up to your Main-Event inclusion?
“Yeah, preparation has been solid, I stay in shape and ready for opportunities. It’s been a pretty solid training camp and I’m looking forward to going out there.”
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From what I’ve seen on my visits to the gym, you really have been going beast mode for this one.
“Yes sir, the beast mode is what you don’t see. The less I’m on social media posting, the more I get to focus on creating a different version of myself. I’m glad for the opportunities like you coming to speak to me, people need to hear my story you know.”
I completely understand that mate. As you said, some people don’t like to post too much over socials, it will give the fans in attendance more of an eye opener when you step into the cage.
“Hahaha, yeah. I’ll give them some, I don’t wanna give them the full story yet. Because I’ve got a different version of myself I want to go out here and expose you know.”
A very admirable approach in the fight game mate.
“Thank you.”
My pleasure man.
Title opportunities are what warriors of MMA strive for on their respective journey’s. A reward for all your dedication to the sport.
To Main-Event as well as challenge for Welterweight gold at Hexagone, must have been an offer you just couldn’t refuse?
“Nah, I couldn’t refuse that. I’ve been competing in Mixed Martial Arts for 12 years now, I’ve had belts, I’ve collected belts. I’ve had Main-Events, I’ve had Co-Main-Events, I’ve featured on one of the best MMA promotions in the country at BAMMA. Which is pretty much every young fighter’s aspiration to compete at. Either BAMMA or Cage Warriors, but I represented BAMMA. I competed for a world title with them, it didn’t go my way but the experience I took from it and winning in title bouts before has led me to this opportunity with Hexagone which I’m very much looking forward to. At the same time, I feel it’s come because of the hard work and the experiences I’ve had, I wouldn’t be prepared for such a moment without them, I’m well prepared for this bout.”
I’ve been a fan of yours for some time, from your fights and Bellator and BAMMA, you really are a legend on the UK scene.
“Thank you sir, thank you. There’s still more to come for my English people and my Zimbabwe people, I’m still peaking and getting to my best. I’ve had people say to me, how do you feel now that you’re getting old hahaha. I’ve just turned 35 you know, the up-and-coming guys at GB Top Team refer to me as a vet, it’s a massive compliment of course. I still have more to achieve in MMA and my personal journey.
I’m with you on that one, 30’s are the peak years.
“Yes sir hahaha, you feel like you’re getting better every year. It’s how you feel ain’t it, how you conduct yourself and how much you really want it. So the opportunity for the belt is just as special as any bout, I can go out there and be creative and paint my picture you know so I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”
A debut for Hexagone will give the fans a chance to witness your skill-set. For those in attendance that might not have had the opportunity to catch you out there, what can they come to expect when that cage door closes in France?
“They’ll be in for a treat, they will witness a very good expression of a Mixed Martial Artist. I always bring it, I bring smart tactical violence. I look for the finish everytime I step foot in the cage, I’ll look to be making an impression on the French fans, and gain some French fans on the way out of that arena.”
They really are a great crowd.
“Yeah, it’s a great time to be able to go there and show my skill-set. My past couple of bouts have been in Germany, ao its nice to go to a different country and gain some more fans.”
Not as far to travel for yourself either.
“Yes sir.”
You are set to take on current holder of the Hexagone MMA Middleweight Championship Aymard Guih, a well rounded opponent like yourself.
What do you make of Aymard as fight night draws near?
“I can’t say too much because I don’t know him, but as you said, he’s a pretty well rounded Mixed Martial Artist and experienced. But this is my time, this is the time that ‘The Sniper’ gets his exposure. Especially after being on the MMA circuit for quite a while and being such a dark horse. I am the dark horse in MMA and at this precise moment, I am one of the best versions of myself. As you said, he’s a well rounded opponent but I’ll put him to the test on fight night, his skills are definitely gonna be put to the test.”
And between you guys there are just shy of 60 bouts, I’m definitely looking forward to when that cage door closes.
“Yeah, it’s gonna be a clinic. I never compare and look at previous opponents, we’ve competed against 1 or 2 similar opponents I guess. there’s levels to everything, there’s levels to cooking, there’s levels to presentation, there’s levels to competition and I’ve got a great team around me. Great support unit and they get the best out of me.”
A phenomenal team, I have to agree.
“Absolutely, I think GB Top Team is gonna be on the world map in a few years time, if not a couple. There’s so much talent coming out of there, it’s unbelievable.”
On that note, you’ll also be joined on the night by one of your teammates making her pro debut in Shanelle Dyer. I bet that’s gonna be another addition to the experience you’ll be having out there.
“Yeah, absolutely. Shanelle’s a well decorated champion, she’s achieved so much in Muay-Thai and translating in crossing over into MMA. Everyone’s excited to see her perform, I’m excited to have her on the same card as me as a teammate. Just to go out there and show what kind of skill-set and level we hold at GB Top Team. big shout-out to Ashley Grimshaw, Barry Healy and Brad Pickett for getting the best out of us in the preparations.”
It’s been a pleasure speaking with you today Walter, I wish you all the best for the remainder of your camp and I look forward to witnessing out there mate.
“Awesome, thank you sir.”
Anytime man.
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?
“For the fans coming to witness the bout, it’s gonna be a great night, topped off with a great Main-Event. Its not going the distance, I don’t come into the cage for a decision, you’re in for a cracking night. I wanna have a shout-out to my coaches and my teammates at GB Top Team for helping me prepare and be ready. I’d like to give a special shout-out to my friends and family, and anyone that has been following my journey leading up to this World tilte opportunity.”
Catch Walter and many more phenomenal warriors take centre stage at what’s shaping up to be an incredible fight card on March 11th at the Arena Futuroscope in France.
Tickets re available here.
The night will be broadcast on BT Sport, in the UK, and DAZN, internationally (including in the USA and Canada).
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