UKFC returns for their 2nd instalment of pure unadulterated organised violence on May 20th for the absolutely explosive UKFC 23 card.
The card is being pieced together exceptionally well, with many of the UK’s hottest talents taking the walk to the Union Jack enclosure at the Riva Showbar in Preston, to give those in attendance another violent night of MMA action.
Amongst these band of warriors will be Kaizen Academy’s Nathan Wyatt, taking on Team Kaobon’s Jack Grundy in a lightweight bout that’s sure to keep the crowd on the edge of their seats.
I caught up with one half of this absolute barn burner Nathan Wyatt. To get his thoughts on his upcoming inclusion.
Nathan Wyatt (4-0-0) is an English amateur Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Lightweight division, representing Kaizen Academy. Nathan has competed for Evolution of Combat and makes his 3rd appearance for Preston based organisation UKFC on May 20th.
I’d like to start things off by thanking you for taking the time to speak with me today Nathan, and also to congratulate you on your upcoming inclusion to the UKFC 23 card mate.
“Thank you, I’m really looking forward to it, I’ve been looking forward to our chat as well.”
Same mate, and I can bet, it’s gonna be a great fight. I caught your 1st amateur bout at Evolution of Combat 10 back in 2021, been one hell of a trip.
“Yeah man, just keeping it going, keeping the wins coming in.”
I hope your preparations have been going well in the build-up to your highly anticipated return to the iconic Union Jack enclosure?
“Yeah, it’s been going really well. I was supposed to fight Jordan Chester at the last UKFC card but I pulled out of that one, and had a few niggling injuries. As well as that, I was a little worried about my weight situation. I had a few issues with the mentality around it, so I took time to fix that and now I have a healthier approach to losing weight. I’ve been dropping the weight for this fight and I haven’t even been trying, having zero issues with it so I probably won’t even need to sit in the bath for it. It’s all going very well also training technically for the fight, I feel like I’ve got all the bodies I need to prepare for Jack Grundy.”
I don’t envy the weight cut you guys have to go through, you have to be built differently for that, I surely couldn’t do it myself.
“hahaha, It’s honestly the most stupid thing I’ve ever done in my life. The cut isn’t that bad in comparison to the pro cuts, but you think to yourself, why am I doing this to fight in the cage for 9 minutes. I think amateurs should do Same day weigh-ins, there’s no point putting your body through that for an amateur.”
That’s understandable mate.
Your journey since taking your 1st step on your amateur career back in 2021 has been fruitful, with victories at Evolution of Combat and UKFC.
How does it feel to once again represent Kaizen Academy as you kick-start your 2023?
“Oh I love it. There’s 3 of us fighting at UKFC this time which is good, because I like it when there’s more than 1. It feels like more of a team effort, because I feel like our MMA team kinda died down a bit and now we’re building it back up. It feels good to represent the team, I don’t think I could train anywhere else, full time anyway because it’s such a nice culture at the gym I’m at.”
It’s great when you find a place that feels right for you. And as you said, it’s building back up, so being able to go to war with some of your teammates will make the card even more meaningful.
“Yeah man, 100 percent.”
Being undefeated thus far, paints a proverbial target on an athlete’s back. Does this give you more drive to push yourself while prepping for your next outing?
“To be honest, my record doesn’t really play on my mind because for me, it’s amateur. I think I’ll win this fight, but I know for a fact that I probably will lose at some point as an amateur because it’s just the way it is in fighting, especially in the UK at the moment. The guys at the top of amateur level are better than the fucking early pro guys when you look at the techniques and stuff. If you look back at the pro level 5 years ago, it’s about as good as amateur level now. The past few years have been absolutely mental with the levels displayed out there. So I think if I was to worry about my record now, I’d feel a bit stupid, I want to get experience while I’m at amateur level. I don’t wanna be running around going “oh, I’m undefeated” and all I’ve fought is people with hardly any experience, I’m better than that do you know what I mean, I wanna test myself.”
A great mindset to have, mate. And I completely agree, the evolution of the amateurs these days is scary man, makes me glad I’m on this side of the MMA scene, hahaha. The next 10 years from now at pro level is gonna be explosive.
“Yeah, definitely man.”
Your 5th step on your amateur journey will see you take on Team Kaobon’s Jack Grundy. A phenomenal prospect with a bright future ahead of him like yourself, this is not one the fans at the Riva Showbar are not going to want to miss.
What do you make of Jack as you prepare to collide in Preston?
“I’ve watched all his fights, and I feel like he’s quite a good match-up for me, because wrestling-wise, he’s got really good wrestling but best attribute is my take-down defence. So if he does get me down, I’ll be straight back up. There’s gonna be no point where he takes me down and I’d just lay there. I’m a proper lightweight, whereas the people he’s been fighting are ones that haven’t been cutting any weight, not really the level he should be fighting with his wrestling pedigree. If he thinks he can just get me down and he can keep me there then I don’t think it’s gonna be fun for him, because at the end of the day, that’s what he’s gonna come and do. If he wants to strike with me I’ll entertain that because that’s what I want, but if he wants to try and wrestle me then I don’t think he’s gonna enjoy it, hahaha.”
It’s a great clash of personalities that’s for sure, hats off to the UKFC team for booking this one.
On that note, an action packed card is taking form for May 20th, with bouts being added day by day. Other than your inclusion on the night, are there any confirmed fighter’s or bouts in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?
“I’m obviously really looking forward to watching my 2 teammates Ross Mason and Siyamak Mehdikha fights. I’m interested to see how Ross does, because he’s been out of the game for about 2 years I think, maybe longer. He’s above the competition at amateur level, so it should be a really good fight to watch, because he’s just really, really good. Same goes for Siyamak, he’s come over from another gym and has that wrestling pedigree, he’s hard as nails. I think it will be 3 wins for us on the night, I think we’ll be really impressive and show our levels as a gym.”
I’ll definitely keep an eye out for their bouts.
For me, I’m looking forward to UKFC’s vet Corey Fry vs Martin McDonough. That’ll definitely be a war I believe.
“Oh right, that should be a good one.”
No doubt man.
It’s been an absolute pleasure speaking with you today Nathan, I wish you all the best for the remainder of your preparations and I look forward to witnessing you out there once again mate.
“Cheers mate. Really enjoyed the chat, thank you.”
My pleasure Nathan.
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 big shout-out to my whole team Kaizen, especially Lewis Mackenzie, who has basically organised my whole gameplan. And Adam Gregory, who’s been giving me some really hard rounds to prepare for Jack. The message for the fans in attendance, it’s not gonna be a long fight, don’t blink.”
Catch Nathan and many more phenomenal athletes take centre stage at the Riva Showbar in Preston, for what’s gonna be a night of pure unadulterated organised violence for the incredibly stacked UKFC 23 card.
Tickets are now available from the fighters as well as the UKFC team.
If you’re unable to catch the action in person, the UKFC 23 ppv will be streamed on Live MMA also.
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