Tobias Harila returns to action at Cage Warriors 148 on New Year’s eve against undefeated American Damon Wilson.
Harila made his CW debut in March 2021 when he burst onto the scene with a brutal ground-and-pound TKO victory over Aidan Stephen at CW 122.
Since then, his stock has continued to rise as he’s quickly become a fan favourite.
‘Bad Intention’ is widely known for his intense walkouts and entertaining fight style, as he always comes to put on a show in the yellow gloves.
Earlier this year, Harila showed what he is all about as he stepped up an entire weight class on short notice to compete at CW 134 after two original bouts fell through.
This didn’t deter Harila, as a new opponent was no problem for the Swede as he scored a highlight reel KO over Decky McAleenan.
Last time out, Harila suffered only the third loss of his career to fellow countryman Samuel Bark at CW 141.
However, a win against the undefeated American Damon Wilson on New Year’s Eve could see the Swede catapult straight into the title mix in a competitive featherweight division.
We got the opportunity to catch up with Harila ahead of his next challenge.
Tobias Harila Interview
You return to the CW cage on New Year’s Eve against the undefeated Damon Wilson. What’s it going to require for you to take away his 0?
For me to be able to win this fight, I need to be focusing on the right things. I need to fight at my best and to just go with my instincts.
Just keep it simple and fight this guy and put on a very good performance. Anything can happen, and it’s a very dangerous opponent I’m fighting, but if I just relax and focus on the fight and my own performance will improve my chances of winning the fight.
I’m confident, and I’m exited, and I don’t think about results or consequences. I just feel ready to fight this guy with all I got.
Your known for your exciting style inside the cage. Is that something your aware of, and how important is it to you to put on a show out there?
My exciting fighting style has gotten me in trouble before just because I have felt like I need to be exciting.
But I know if I just do my thing and fight, it will be exciting naturally.
I’m an aggressive fighter and like to go all out and apply pressure. I don’t need to think about that. When I do, it makes me fight recklessly and make mistakes instead of just fighting, then it usually works out very well, and it’s still become very violent.
So this fight I will not think about it I will just go in and leave everything in there. It’s going to be fun.
What can we expect in 2023 following a win over Wilson?
2023 will be a year for me to just focus on one fight at a time.
I have been stressing and thinking so much about going to the UFC.
No, I just think fuck that. I will only focus on one fight at a time.
I have got five fights on my contract, and my only focus is on fighting them one at a time and getting the best out of every performance.
Twice in 2022, you had fights with James Hending cancelled. Can we expect to see that fight book in 2023?
The fight with James Hendin is absolutely a fight that might happen. But like I said, now it’s one fight at a time.
I don’t overlook anything this year. I fight with one focus.
Do you have your eyes on a Cage Warriors title shot against Paul Hughes next year? And what do you think it will take to make that fight happen?
Of course. But once again, on at a time. I have wanted to fight Paul for a long time.
I think if I stake up some wins, it will happen, but first, I must stack up some wins. What ever happens after that, I take it from there.
Cage Warriors has firmly established itself as one of Europe’s top MMA promotions. How big a step for your career is it competing at such a promotion?
Fighting for a promotion like Cage Warriors has really been amazing.
I feel very happy to have reached this level. I had a lot of struggles in my life, and when I started mma, I could not even dream of fighting at events like this.
So I’m really blessed being where I am. And everything I did in my career has led me here and now. Instead of putting my focus on going to the UFC, I just feel like putting all my focus on this contract and showing my best quality’s in the cage.
You never know where life’s take you, so now it’s all about what’s right ahead. And now it’s Damon.
I’m going in with the mentally that whatever happens in there, I’m going to keep fighting. He can break my legs, my face or anything, but he will never break my spirit.
I will keep fighting him with all I have got for 15 minutes, and I’m going to be in crazy good shape and very dangerous.
Featured Image Credits Cage Warriors
