We are now just under a week away from the violent festivities that will no doubt shake the Liverpool Olympia to its very foundations for the absolutely stacked FCC 33 card.
A star studded line-up will showcase their respective skill-sets that night and for one warrior in particular, Danny Dixon, it’s been a long time coming.
I caught up with Danny just before he entered fight week, to gain some insight into what his debut with FCC means to him.
Danny Dixon 4-1-0 is a Welsh Professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. He has competed for K1 Xtreme Promotions, UKFC, Celtic Gladiator, Dragon Fight League and makes his FCC debut on April 22nd.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to speak with me today Danny, and also to congratulate you on your upcoming Lightweight Championship opportunity at Full Contact Contender 33.
“Thank you bro, thank you for the opportunity to speak to you about it.”
My pleasure man.
I trust preparations have been going well in the build-up to your scheduled return to action?
“Yes mate, really good yeah. I’m training 2 to 3 times a day, 6 days a week mate.
Good to hear man. It’s always good to keep yourself ready, as I know it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride leading into your debut for FCC.
“Yeah, it’s been a long camp since I was supposed to fight Elliot Jenkins in December, he pulled out. I was injured anyway, but I had a game plan for that type of fight, so once he pulled out I realised I shouldn’t have really been fighting anyway, but I had it in my head that I was fighting him. I told them to find me another opponent and I’ll go again in the new year, then they got me ‘Lefty’, then ‘Lefty’ pulled out in March with a bad knee. I was injured too, I actually broke my finger but I said I’ll still fight because the show got put back anyway, I’d have had more time and we both could have recovered, but Lefty pulled out again. I told them I wanted to stay on the show and I wanted to still fight, as it’s been a long time coming. They said they got a Brazilian name for me and they sent me the details, he’s 4-1 and looks like a good opponent.”
The wait and extra time to prepare will give you an opportunity to showcase a completely different side to your skill-set no doubt.
“Yeah man, I’ve been smashing grappling and wrestling for a long time now so I’m excited to show that, and have been getting better ever since my last fight. I thought Martin Fouder would have been more of a tougher fight, he went the distance with ‘Lefty’. I hope this guy brings it, as I will be, I get to showcase my skill-set then don’t I.”
Absolutely, it looks like a great match-up.
How does it feel to finally be making your debut, after so many cancellations and as well, being on UFC Fight Pass?
“It’s great to finally get out there. It’s a big thing being on UFC Fight Pass to showcase my skill-set, I’ve known I belong on there for a while now. In my amateur days I had a few losses to be fair, against some tough opponents, but wasn’t training as much as I do now you know what I mean. I went from boxing to K1. In reality I just wanted to knock people out, but it’s a completely different thing now. I was young and stupid and learned a lot from my losses, everyone was shooting on me and I started focusing on MMA. I know I was good at my stand-up game. I thought if I could nail this area and add it into my game, I could be a dangerous guy out there. And that’s where I am now, going into my prime. I’ve got a fair few years of learning left, you’re forever learning really but each week that passes I feel like I’m getting better.”
Absolutely agree, each day is a learning experience, even as a professional.
“That’s it mate literally, all the way to the end.”
That being said, your journey since turning professional back in 2019, has seen you take the walk to many respected organisations across the UK. Stability within an organisation can be key to setting out your goals as you plan ahead, can we expect to see more of you at Full Contact Contender throughout 2023?
“Absolutely, I’m open to fighting with them throughout the year. I was speaking with Adam the other day and I said the UFC’s my goal, as it is everyone’s, I feel if I keep performing on UFC Fight Pass it’s a great platform to be able to make this dream a reality. I feel like people look for certain pathways to the UFC, but in my mind, if you’re a good fighter and have the crowd behind you and are a good entertainer, you’ll get there no matter what.”
Absolutely, I’ve always shared the same thought.
Turning the attention to your next challenge, you are now set to take on Brazilian Douglas Alves, who Stepped up to the challenge to keep your inclusion secured for the violent festivities in Liverpool.
What do you make of Douglas in the build-up to your scheduled collision, have you taken some time to do any research on your new opposition at all?
“I haven’t researched him to be fair mate, I’ve focused more on myself throughout this camp. I’ve had so many pull outs, 3 in the past 4 months, you get your heart set on someone and your fucking whole game-plans changing. In my head and where I’m at since turning pro, it just gets as good as I can get myself, focusing on my attributes. Focusing on somebody else, you’re in their game too much really aren’t you.”
Definitely.
“If I focus on bettering myself to the maximum I can, with anything I need to work on and put it together on the night, if I lose, the better man won, because I come in at my best.”
I know your inclusion on the night for the strap was cancelled, but Is this something you still see in your future with the company?
“Yeah, I’d like to think so, I’m not too sure what’s going on with that to be fair, I just said yes to the fight. Because obviously, I’ve been waiting a while now. But like I said, if I keep entertaining, keep winning fights, it’s gonna come either way.”
A great mindset to have, man. And I hope to see you contend for it in the future.
“Thanks man, I appreciate that a lot Aaron.”
My pleasure, man.
The stage is almost set for the FFC’s explosive entrance to the 2023 MMA calendar to kick off, and what a card it is set to be. Other than your inclusion on the night, are there any confirmed fighter’s or bouts in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing out there?
“To be fair the cards stacked isn’t it, it’s a decent card, I’m looking forward to them all to be fair. First, there’s a job to be done and I’ll sit back and relax and enjoy the show.”
Definitely a great card, I’m hoping to make the trip, I’ll give you a nudge if I make it.
“Yeah man, absolutely. It would be great to see you there, give me a shout.
Definitely will bro.
It’s been an absolute pleasure speaking with you again today Danny, I wish you all the best for your final preparations and I look forward to catching you out there once again man.
“Thank you Aaron, I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me mate.”
Anytime Danny.
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 thank everyone that’s coming to the show for me, I have a big support system and I’m really grateful for it. Even down to the messages over social media, it goes a long way. It’s a lonely sport, the fans make it a lot better. I’d like to give a big shout-out to my sponsors for helping me throughout this camp, and FCC for the opportunity, just everyone involved to be fair.”
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