Graham Boylan and his team at Cage Warriors have no intention of slowing down, and next weekend they are straight back to work for a double-header weekend in Manchester, England.
On Friday 1st April, Cage Warriors 135 plays warm-up for Cage Warriors 136, which occurs the following night from the BEC Arena. Cage Warriors 135 is headlined by Poland native Daniel Skibiński and Justin Burlinson, who is coming off a tough loss on DWCS.
Saturday’s main event features a headliner between Djati Mélan and Christian Leroy Duncan, who square off for the Cage Warriors middleweight title. As always with Cage Warriors, fans can expect a thrilling two nights of well-matched fights.
I had the pleasure to catch up with one fighter who makes the walk over the weekend in the inspiring Aaron Aby. Check out what Aby had to say ahead of his bout below.
Interview With Aaron Aby
We are just over one week out from fight night. How have things been inside of training and outside of the Octagon since your last outing?
Training has been going well. It’s my happy place. Outside of camp, there is always struggles that life throws at us In one way or another.
Touching on your last performance, a convincing decision against Samir Faiddine. You’ve had some time to reflect now on that fight. Were you totally satisfied with your overall performance, or are there some things you felt you could have done better there?
I always feel like you can improve! There will never be a perfect performance. I would have liked to have finished the fight. I got injured In the second round, so the third round could have been better. However, some things were better and are coming along.
Aby Reflects on Sam Creasey Defeat
Before suffering defeat to Sam Creasey, you were unbeaten in your last five outings. Considering your coming off a win this time around, does the approach or mindset change in any way in preparation?
My mindset is one of my strengths, I think. It doesn’t change based on wins or losses. I aim to enjoy the process, fight the toughest guys, and just know what I’m doing is my purpose of making me a better person inside and outside the sport.
Talk to me about the Inspire Performance Centre, what that means to you to be coaching, and the reasoning for pursuing the path of coaching the younger generation?
The Inspire Performance Centre is my place to give back. I enjoy coaching a lot. That’s where my future lies. But the gym, sport, and training have given and taught me so much growing up. So we started IPC to help other people grow. Not just physically but also mentally. I was the skinny, sick kid growing up. Sport, going to the gym with my dad and training taught me lessons that get applied to life.
Transitioning From Fighter to Coach
How beneficial do you feel MMA coaching has been to your MMA career? If so, how so?
Coaching has given back to me as well. I learn about the sport, tactics, and dealing with fighters mentally. Fighting is what I love. I love the competition, the techniques and everything that comes with it. Coaching gives me a chance to study the sport more and pass knowledge on. I think I’ll be a better coach than a fighter one day.
Many already know your journey into the sport. You someone the younger generation can really look at and draw inspiration from. For those younger boys and girls who look up to you with aspirations of chasing their dreams. What piece of advice would you give them?
I think there isn’t one best piece of advice to give people. Everyone is on their own journey, and they are their own unique individual. Just be yourself, enjoy the process and remember it’s hard work, full of ups and downs. Life isn’t easy, and it’s not meant to be, but chasing your purpose will bring you so much fulfilment.
Aaron Aby Talks Gegardo Fanny
Onto April 2nd, a big fight against a tough opponent in Gegardo Fanny. What was your overall thoughts as him as an opponent and thoughts on the fight as a whole?
I like the fight! It’s a tough fight but one I asked for. Not many people want to fight him. He is touted to go to the UFC! He’s been finishing people at flyweight, so it’s a massive challenge. One I’m looking forward to trying to crack. I think I’ll have chances in this fight. I have areas I can exploit, and I think it will be fast and full of action. Let’s have it!
April 2nd will mark your first outing of 2022. Hoping all goes well, what goals have you set yourself for competition this year and coaching?
As for competition goals, I want to get the UFC! I think with a win next fight. I’m knocking. As for coaching, the aim is to keep bringing the next generation through as better martial artists and people.
Lastly, what type of fight are you expecting from Gegardo, and where do you believe the path to victory in this battle is?
I’m expecting the fight with Fanny to be fast, full of action. I’m expecting him to be very good, but I know I can drag him into deep waters and get the finish.
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Featured image to Cage Warriors
