Fight night for Ireland’s own Decky McAleenan is vastly approaching as he looks to catapult himself back into the winning bracket with a victory over the undefeated Dan Collins at Cage Warriors 134 on March 18th.
Cage Warriors 134 will go down at the 02 Arena, London, on Friday, March 18th, the night before the UFC returns to the 02 Arena.
Headlining the already thrilling card is Jordan Vucenic and Paul Hughes, who square off for a second time for the Cage Warriors featherweight championship. Prior to that, fans are treated to action from several notable names, including George Hardwick and the return of Darren Stewart.
I had the opportunity to catch up with one man before his bout in thirty-year-old Decky McAleenan, who is eager on kickstarting his 2022 with a bang.
Interview With Decky McAleenan
Not long until you get back out there against the undefeated Dan Collin at Cage Warriors 134, how have things been since the last time we saw you in action?
Well, thanks. All has been well, and I am taking the time to enjoy training again.
Has your training camp been altered in any way leading up to this one? As opposed to your last two fights in 2021?
No, training is back to normal. There’s no messing around trying to get training partners and people reporting us training because of COVID.
2021 probably didn’t plan how you envisioned, but did you take away any positives from your time inside the cage, despite the result not falling in your favour?
2021 did not go to plan at all. Personally, I felt I won the fight against Lister. I still wasn’t at my best. I wasn’t fired up at all going into the fight and then against Stevie. It was even worst again. I felt nothing going in there, and I was sleeping, and it cost me the fight. I can remember clear as day thinking about other things than him on my back about to choke me, and then it was too late.
Decky McAleenan Touches on McIntosh Fight
Touching on your previous fight with McIntosh, what do you feel went wrong? What measures have you taken this round in preparation to ensure the outcome is a McAleenan victory?
Against Stevie, I got caught. As I said, I messed up. My head wasn’t there for the fight. I felt in no danger at all. Hats off to him. He was the better man on the night. This time around, with the break away, badness is back in me. I want to finish whoever next and make a statement. I’m looking straight through whoever is in front of me, not past them.
I believe this will mark your seventh time making the walk under the Cage Warriors banner. Is CW somewhere you feel completely settled and comfortable in at this stage? In addition to that, what does it mean to you to compete and represent yourself on such a big stage?
This will be my 8th fight for cage warriors. I love it there. I’m treated well and given tough fights against good lads, no handpicking fight to build stupid records with it being such a big stage. I believe 100% it’s where I should be fighting unless I get the call up even further.
For you personally, in terms of this camp, where do you feel you’ve made the most significant improvements?
My head is back in the game. As I said, I’m not looking past anyone. It caught me out last year. I’m physically and mentally prepared to go straight through anyone.
McAleenan Earns BJJ Brown Belt
Congratulations on being awarded your brown belt. Did the promotion come as a surprise, or did you feel it was coming? From a personal achievement standpoint, what does it mean to you that your coaches are taking note of your hard work and dedication?
Thank you. It’s always great to see that your hard work is being noticed, especially as Sebastian doesn’t like to give belts out to handy. Don’t get me wrong. It’s great now being a brown belt, but it really doesn’t mean much if I don’t use what I know and show people how good I am.
McAleenan Talks Dan Collins Contest
You meet Dan Collins on the night, an undefeated fighter with a knack for finishing fights. What were your initial thoughts on the bout and Collins as an opponent when offered the matchup?
I watched about 30secs of his last fight and accepted it straight away but told Ian to give me a few mins to run past my team. He was fighting in the lower leagues. It’s a different ball game going in against me that 0 would have been gone.
Collins likes to start fast, get in and get out. What do you feel you need to do to nullify the fast, frantic start from him? Is it a case of taking your time and staying on track to following the game plan?
As I said, it’s a different bread of fighter than he’s come up against before. He starts fast against me means he’d be getting put away fast.
Lastly, how does Decky McAleenan get it done at Cage Warriors 134?
We will see who shows up on the night.
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Featured image credits to Cage Warriors
